Imenco Defence Solutions (Imenco), a leading provider of marine and naval visual surveillance systems, has won three awards in the 2024 Naval Technology Excellence Awards, in the Innovation, Product Launches, and Business Expansion categories.
The Naval Technology Excellence Awards celebrate the industry’s greatest achievements and innovations. Backed by GlobalData’s business intelligence, the Awards recognize the people and companies that are driving change in the industry.
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Imenco’s design of the 0550-6002 DHOSS Dual Sensor Naval PTZ Camera earned it the Innovation award, showcasing a leap from analog to digital surveillance technology. The Product Launches award was given for the successful market introduction of the DHOSS Naval PTZ Camera Stations, which included the implementation of future-oriented features such as stabilization and Power over Ethernet options. The Business Expansion award was received for securing the largest naval camera systems contract in 15 years, which is expected to result in significant resource expansion and growth of the company’s US support facility.
Naval surveillance technology innovation
The Imenco 0550-6002 Digital Helicopter Operations Surveillance System (DHOSS) Dual Sensor Naval PTZ Camera represents a generational advancement in naval surveillance. Engineered to meet the fleet’s challenges for the next decade, the robust surveillance solution is tailored for naval maritime and flight deck operations, marking a significant technological advancement from the analog HOSS previously supplied to the US Navy for almost 25 years.
A four-year partnership with NAVAIR has culminated in a product that excels in low-light conditions, integrates high-performance sensors, and operates with low latency video transmission, even under extreme conditions. The system was engineered to meet the challenges of the fleet for the next 10+ years, accommodating the exacting space envelope requirements to suit multiple US Navy class ships, including CVN, FFG, LPD, and LHA.
Imenco worked closely with NAVAIR to meet the US Navy’s strict requirements for 24-hour optimum performance, even in extreme low light conditions. After extensive shipboard trials, which included testing multiple sensors overlooking the ship flight deck both day and night, Imenco refined the initial concept design. The final product integrated the best performing low light visible and Infra-Red (IR) sensors with a Pan, Tilt, and Zoom (PTZ) platform, incorporating the latest extremely agile brushless DC motor technology for smooth, fast, and silent operation.
Imenco’s naval engineering team is working on future variant developments of the DHOSS PTZ camera, including stabilization of the PTZ platform in 2 or 3 axes and a Fixed Power over Ethernet variant, ensuring that Imenco remains at the forefront of naval surveillance technology.
“I am extremely pleased with the new range of Digital HOSS Naval cameras that were designed and qualified to some of the strictest Military standards. These camera assemblies are built to continue to operate in the harshest conditions, for prolonged periods of time, but also to be easy to integrate, control and maintain.” – Imenco Lead Design Engineer, Calin Racasan
Launch of Imenco’s visionary camera systems
Imenco launched the DHOSS Dual Sensor Naval PTZ Camera Station in the US at the Sea Air Space (SAS) Expo in April 2024.
The successful launch has been recognized with a significant 5-year IDIQ contract from NAVAIR Lakehurst, Visual Landing Aids Group. These systems, crucial for safe flight operations and mishap investigations, will be delivered to the US Navy by Imenco’s local representative Gardner Technologies Inc (GTI), with initial deliveries between fall 2024 and summer 2025.
These camera stations are integral to the Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment’s (ALRE) PMA251 Visual Landing Aids (VLA) Programs, providing essential low-light surveillance, recording, and video distribution capabilities on USN aircraft carriers, frigates, and amphibious-class ships. They are crucial for safe flight operation and mishap investigations.
US Navy Program Manager VLA IPT Lead at NAVAIR, Lakehurst, Chintan Patel remarked, “Integration of the DHOSS Dual Sensor Naval PTZ Camera and ODIN Naval PTZ Camera is a major step in transforming the legacy analog surveillance equipment to a more current and supportable digital platform. Low light coverage provided by the DHOSS Dual Sensor Naval PTZ Camera will provide the sailors with superior situational awareness during night operations. By partnering with GTI and Imenco, the Visual Landing Aid team is excited to bring this capability to Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Surveillance Systems aboard CVNs, FFGs and LPDs.”
Strategic business expansion: Imenco’s global impact
Imenco’s fixed price, five-year, IDIQ contract from NAVAIR Lakehurst, Visual Landing Aids Group is a testament to the company’s business growth. The contract, which is the single largest contract for naval camera systems the company has received in 15 years, could also become the highest value contract ever for the company, if all options are exercised over the five-year term.
The contract will enable immediate expansion of the project engineering team in Aberdeen, the manufacturing group in Wick, and, in the medium term, the Imenco LLC US facility in Broussard, Louisiana, who provide comprehensive local support and servicing. The expansion reflects Imenco’s commitment to meeting the increasing demands of naval forces globally.
“We are delighted to be able to build on our expertise of supplying the previous analog HOSS based systems to the US Navy for the past 25 years and are confident that the new Digital HOSS and ODIN naval cameras will provide game-changing 24/7 surveillance capabilities to the fleet. The Imenco Engineering Development Team are proud to receive the prestigious Naval Technology Excellence Awards in recognition of the many months of rigorous design, test and qualification that lead to the successful launch of the innovative and ultra-rugged DHOSS camera.” – Imenco Marine & Naval Projects Group Manager, David Fleming
“Here at Imenco we are excited to have received the recognition of 3x Excellence Awards from Naval Technology for the DHOSS surveillance camera. The major award of the “NAVAIR” IDIQ Contract for supply of “DHOSS/ODIN” cameras is a reward for the extensive design work, testing and long hours that went into this development. We would also like to highlight the great collaboration and communication between the engineering teams of both “Imenco” and our customer “NAVAIR”, that was key to the evolvement of this great product. We are sure that this industry leading future technology camera, built on the reliability of the original HOSS model, will meet the customer 24-hour operational needs for many years to come.” – Imenco Sales Manager, Paul Scott
Company Profile
Imenco designs, develops and manufactures Naval, Marine & Harsh Environment Visual Surveillance Systems along with helicopter fuel systems, aquaculture products and subsea cameras, lights and lasers, diving systems, acoustic positioning systems, lifting and handling products and subsea corrosion protection. More than 45 years of experience gives our customers added value and smart solutions.
Contact Details
Imenco Defence Solutions UK Ltd
Campus 1, Aberdeen Innovation Park, Balgownie Road, Bridge of Don,
Aberdeen, AB22 8GT, UK
E-mail: systems.uk@imenco.com
NCAGE: U3382
Contact: Paul Scott, Sales Manager – Naval Camera Systems
Phone: +44 7557 856317
E-mail: paul.scott@imenco.com
Imenco Defense Solutions LLC
101 Oil Patch Rd, Broussard, LA 70518, USA
E-mail: US@imenco.com
CAGE: 8B4E5
Contact: Shannon Giagnorio, Director of Business Development – Americas
Phone: +1 713 857 9714
E-mail: sg@imenco.com
Links
Website: https://imenco.no/
