Chess Dynamics secures first order for next-generation Sea Eagle electro-optical surveillance capability

Chess Dynamics' Sea Eagle Digital EOSS, seen here on display at Euronaval 2022. (Janes/Kate Tringham)

Surveillance and fire-control specialist Chess Dynamics has secured a launch customer for the latest-generation digitalised version of its Sea Eagle electro-optical surveillance system (EOSS).

Speaking to media in London on 11 June, Mark Byfield, Chess Dynamic's business development director, confirmed that the first contract for the Sea Eagle Digital EOSS was signed with an undisclosed UK customer in May.

In service since 2011 Chess Dynamics' Sea Eagle EOSS is a stabilised EOsurveillance system optimised for automated long-range maritime surveillance on all classes of vessels. It provides 24-hour passive surveillance and target identification through the use of a thermal imager and daylight TV camera sensors, and can optionally be fitted with a laser rangefinder.

The upgraded version, first unveiled at the Euronaval 2022 maritime exhibition in Paris, is based on the same stabilised platform as the analog version but features latest-generation high-definition digital sensor payloads and introduces a fully digital system architecture and Ethernet interface. The digital architecture is configured for modular sensors and systems to provide end-users the flexibility to be able to reconfigure and customise the system to have a variety of mission profiles.

The company said it developed the upgraded version of Sea Eagle to ‘future proof' the system and fulfil evolving customer needs in a changing, more complex threat environment. The system's new and improved sensors – including top-end high-performance, high-definition cameras – provide higher quality and more accurate data to allow operators to better detect, track, and identify small targets at range.

The system is also equipped with Vision4ce's Video Tracking software, which provides in-built video tracking and target classification through CHARM modules and artificial intelligence (AI) technology.