In April, on schedule, we successfully concluded the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) of the first upgraded MSS 6000 system for the Finnish Border Guard (FBG). The upgraded system uses the latest technology to improve quality of data, ease of operation and communication of data in real time.
Operators and pilots from the Finnish Border Guard visited SSC in Solna to witness the FAT and the operators also had the opportunity to test the new functions in the system. This was very much appreciated from both sides. Fredrik Sandstål project leader from SSC says that "we value the feedback immensely as this enables us to optimize our systems to meet the needs of our customers".
Personnel from SSC and FBG getting ready for the FAT
The Finnish Border Guard has two Dornier 228 both of which have been fitted with the MSS 6000 system in 2009. In 2011 the FBG decided to further improve their capability for surveillance and protection of the Baltic sea. A latest generation advanced search radar, a state-of-the art EO/IR sensor and an upgraded radio direction finder is now being integrated into the systems.
FBG operators getting familiar with the new sensor images before FAT
The new MSS 6000 configuration integrates several new types of information, which heightens the instantaneous situation awareness and enhances the cooperation between all crew members. It features two operator work stations from which all sensors can be operated, an upgraded cockpit display for up to date situation information to the pilots and an observer station that can be used for example by an observer from a cooperating government authority. Other new features include improved virus protection, updated recording capability to handle the HD video from the new EO/IR sensor, and geo-referencing and recording of the target tracks and SAR strip maps generated by the new search radar.
Finnish Border Guard operator testing the new functions in the systems from one of the two operator stations.
The MSS 6000 is used by coast guard organizations around the world. The MSS 6000 design rests on SSC's experience from installing more than 80 airborne maritime surveillance systems over the last thirty years. "We believe the MSS 6000 is unequalled in terms of its suitability for the purpose and its cost-effectiveness" says Olov Fäst, President of the SSC Airborne System Division. The MSS 6000 combines advanced technology with ease of operation. The system is platform-independent and has been installed on a number of different types of aircraft such as the Dornier 228, CASA 212, Dash 8, LET410, CL415 amphibian and many more.
Some facts about the MSS 6000 for the Finnish Border Guard:
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Facts
The MSS 6000 for the Finnish Border Guard is a fully integrated system and will include the following capabilities:
- Two operator consoles equipped with a highly automated system for control of the sensors and for presentation, recording and reporting of the mission information.
- Digital data and video recording system;High-speed satellite data link system;
- Advanced 360-degree search radar;Side-Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) ;
- Infrared/ultraviolet (IR/UV) scanner;
- EO/IR sensor with HD capability and laser illumination for target identification and documentation;
- Modernized radio direction finder;
- Handheld digital camera and video camera connected to the system for annotation and digital storage of all images.
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