SeaVision

SeaVision is a stabilized electro-optical sensor platform designed by Rheinmetall for integration on ships and naval guns. The system consists of a package of sensors including a cooled thermal imager, three daylight cameras and two laser rangefinders allowing for multirole application including long range target recognition, detection, and identification, surveillance, threat evaluation, fire control and damage assessment. SeaVision generates 3D target tracking data through its internal components which can then be implemented in gun fire control solutions. The system features automatic target recognition and multiple target tracking capabilities.

An integrated gyroscopic assembly enhances SeaVision’s performance on smaller vessels, allowing for greater stabilization and tracking in inclement sea conditions. A compact design featuring lightweight carbon fiber material eases the integration process, enabling installation on masts and smaller ships.

Three HD color TV cameras are combined into a single fixed-optic camera unit with digital zoom functionality. The cameras provide alignment at all zoom levels, improving fire control precision. Waiving of zoom-optics increases the reliability and switch over time between different fields of vision. The first camera offers a digital zoom field of vision of 1.4 degrees and a fixed optic field of vision of 2.8 degrees. The second camera provides a digital zoom field of vision of 6.7 degrees, and a fixed optic field of vision of 13.3 degrees. The third camera has a digital zoom field of vision of 16 degrees, and a fixed optic field of vision of 32 degrees. The camera unit’s operator control unit display has a resolution of 1,024 x 768 pixels, while the complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor has a display resolution of 2,064 x 1,544 pixels.

The system utilizes a twin-laser rangefinder configuration, integrating a short- and long-range laser rangefinder. The first, a diode laser, operates at a frequency of 1.55 µm with a pulse rate of 25 Hz, offering higher accuracy for short-distance imaging with a range exceeding 5.4 nm (10 km). The second, a 1.54-µm diode-pumped Erbium glass laser pulsing at 10 Hz provides a range surpassing 21.6 nm (40 km), ensuring coverage for longer-range targets. The twin-laser arrangement provides system redundancy as well as improved laser measurement and automatic internal range verification.

A SAPHIR Long-life mid-wave infrared (MWIR) cooled thermal imager operates in the 3 to 5 µm range. SAPHIR provides two fixed optic fields of vision, one offering 1.4 degrees of coverage and the second 6.7 degrees. The thermal imager’s detector and operator control unit display both have a resolution of 1,024 x 768 pixels.

Target recognition can be attained at ranges of 13 nm (24.0 km) for aircraft, 15.7 nm (29.0 km) for ships, 9.45 nm (17.5 km) for vehicles including tanks and 6 nm (11.0 km) for individuals. The system detection capability ranges from 5.67 nm (10.5 km) for aircraft, 12.4 nm (23.0 km) for ships, 5.4 nm (10.0 km) for vehicles including tanks and 2.7 nm (5.0 km) for individuals. The identification ranges are 3.0 nm (5.5 km) for aircraft, 9.7 nm (18.0 km) for ships, 3.0 nm (5.5 km) for vehicles including tanks and 1.35 nm (2.5 km) for individuals.

SeaVision is associated with the medium caliber variants of Rheinmetall’s SeaSnake family of naval weapons systems. On these guns, the sensor suite is positioned on the left side of the mount, fitted to a pan and tilt platform.

In production.

According to Rheinmetall, the SeaVision system has been available since 2020.

The Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation in Karlsruhe, Germany integrated the SeaVision system onto a remotely operated vehicle for a demonstration at Arendsee Lake in Novemeber 2020.

The SeaVision sensor platform is planned for integration with SeaSnake 27 guns onboard Germany’s incoming F126-class frigates, as well as the SeaSnake 30 guns on Brazil’s planned TAMANDARE-class frigates.

Rheinmetall AG, Dusseldorf, Germany

 Germany    
   Navy       
      frigate              (F126 class)(SeaSnake 27)(Planned)

 Brazil     
   Navy        
      frigate              (TAMANDARE class)(SeaSnake 30)(Planned)

 PERFORMANCE
   Range
      diode laser           ≥5.4 nm (10.0 km)
      diode pumped Erbium glass laser
                           ≥21.6 nm (40.0 km)
      recognition
         aircraft           13.0 nm (24.0 km)
         ships              15.7 nm (29.0 km) 
         vehicles           9.45 nm (17.5 km)
         individuals         6.0 nm (11.0 km)
      detection
         aircraft           5.67 nm (10.5 km)
         ships              12.4 nm (23.0 km)
         vehicles            5.4 nm (10.0 km)
         individuals         2.7 nm ( 5.0 km)
      identification
         aircraft            3.0 nm ( 5.5 km)
         ships               9.7 nm (18.0 km)
         vehicles            3.0 nm ( 5.5 km)
         individuals        1.35 nm ( 2.5 km)
   Pulse Rate
      diode laser          25 Hz
      diode pumped Erbium glass laser
                           10 Hz
   Field of Vision (FOV), Digital Zoom
      camera 1              1.4 deg
      camera 2              6.7 deg
      camera 3               16 deg
   Field of Vision (FOV), Fixed Optic
      camera 1              2.8 deg
      camera 2             13.3 deg
      camera 3               32 deg
      thermal imager
         fov 1              1.4 deg
         fov 2              6.7 deg 
   Wavelength
      diode laser          1.55 µm
      diode pumped Erbium glass laser
                           1.54 µm

 SENSORS/ELECTRONICS
   Thermal imaging         1 x dual FOV, SAPHIR long-life
   Rangefinder             1 x diode laser
                           1 x diode-pumped Erbium glass laser
   Daylight cameras        3 x dual FOV