HENSOLDT unveils advanced ARGOS-15 airborne imaging system at Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo 2024

The ARGOS-15, a 15-inch gimbal system, builds on the success of HENSOLDT’s renowned ARGOS product line, offering exceptional performance for both manned and unmanned airborne platforms. Designed for medium-to-high altitude operations, the system incorporates advanced features such as a modular design and AI-powered functionality, making it a critical asset for modern defence and security missions.

“By launching the ARGOS-15, we are reinforcing our position as a leading provider of airborne imaging technology. This system’s advanced capabilities will ensure that our customers remain at the forefront of modern surveillance and reconnaissance,” said Sunette van Rensburg, Head of Sales at HENSOLDT’s Optronics business in South Africa.

The ARGOS-15 builds on the success of the ARGOS-II system, which has been deployed on more than 34 platforms worldwide. With over 35 years of experience in airborne electro-optical systems, HENSOLDT has combined legacy performance with cutting-edge innovation in the ARGOS-15, offering a blend of experience and new technology.

Equipped with next-generation multispectral sensors, the ARGOS-15 delivers high-quality images in a wide range of lighting conditions. Its image fusion capabilities integrate thermal, daylight, and shortwave infrared (SWIR) sensors, ensuring clear visibility even in challenging environments. This allows detailed aerial analysis of infrastructure, troop movements, and targets, regardless of light or weather conditions.

The system’s advanced 4-axis stabilisation architecture, combined with a high-precision inertial measurement unit (IMU), ensures superior image clarity, even during long-range surveillance. Additionally, the ARGOS-15 offers multi-spectral video capabilities, enabling operators to view various aspects of a scene simultaneously.

At its core, the ARGOS-15 features AI-powered object detection and tracking. Using a sophisticated graphics processing unit (GPU), the system reduces operator workload by automatically detecting, classifying, and tracking targets in real-time. This enhances mission efficiency and enables faster decision-making in dynamic environments.

The ARGOS-15 includes HENSOLDT’s specialised laser suite, equipped with dual-wavelength, high-power laser designators and rangefinders. These features provide precise intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities, making the system highly effective for a range of missions.

Designed to operate at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet, the ARGOS-15 supports a variety of platforms, including tactical and medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and aerostats. Its modular design allows for easy integration across military, paramilitary, law enforcement, and search-and-rescue applications.

The ARGOS-15 is proudly developed and manufactured in South Africa and is subject to South African export regulations, ensuring broad exportability and integration ease. HENSOLDT provides extensive in-country support to guarantee high operational readiness for its customers.

Production deliveries of the ARGOS-15 are expected to begin in mid-2025, and the system is anticipated to set a new global benchmark in airborne surveillance and reconnaissance.