Logos Technologies Kestrel Surveillance System
Logos Technologies has been awarded $111.8 million by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to develop an additional 22 Kestrel wide-area persistent surveillance systems to support U.S. forces in the field.
Designed for use on a tethered blimp, the Kestrel surveillance system is the only technology of its kind that can scan a city-sized area at once — both day and night. This provides a heightened level of security for troops, particularly at forward operating bases.
“Since the first units were deployed in Afghanistan, Kestrel has saved the lives of countless warfighters by preventing improvised explosive device (IED) attacks and providing our forces with greater situational awareness,” said Greg Poe, CEO of Logos Technologies. “This new contract will extend that protection to more bases, and ultimately, more troops.”
The NAVAIR contract calls for the delivery of 20 Kestrel systems and spare parts, as well as two units for testing and upgrading. In addition, Logos Technologies will provide operational, logistical and analytical support for the Kestrel system through 2013.
With its 360-degree field of view, Kestrel allows operators to simultaneously track and record multiple targets in medium-resolution over many kilometers. Kestrel can also cue full motion video (FMV) sensors for higher resolution imaging. Kestrel can also be programmed for autonomous monitoring.
“Kestrel is a force multiplier. It can track multiple targets in real time and record activity for up to 30 days,” said David Luber, Kestrel program manager for Logos Technologies. “This allows an operator to uncover a whole enemy network.”
Developed within 12 months, Kestrel represents a nimble systems engineering approach to customer needs.
Kestrel is currently employed on both the Persistent Threat Detection System and Persistence Ground Surveillance System in Afghanistan. It also has applications for border patrol, counter-trafficking and other homeland security missions.
