ARTEMIS, Naval InfraRed Search and Track system
Protecting ships against multiple conventional, asymmetric, and emerging threats requires constant surveillance of the sea and coastline. Naval optronic surveillance systems today help ensure the level of surveillance and security that military leaders need to maximize the survivability of ships and fleets.
Beyond the proliferation of asymmetric threats, which now include drone swarms and simultaneous multi-directional attacks, naval forces must also be able to counter low-flying supersonic missiles equipped with infrared seekers that electronic warfare systems alone cannot detect. It is now extremely risky – regardless of radar capabilities, even the most recent ones – to rely on a single sensor technology when ship survival is at stake.
Artemis is Thales' latest generation of static-head naval infrared search and track (IRST) systems. It is currently in service with 4 navies worldwide and uses three or four independent passive sensors fixed to a mast (or any other high structure of the ship). Unlike traditional systems, these sensors are not equipped with rotating heads to scan the horizon, but with static heads that remain permanently 'locked' on their assigned sector to ensure 360° panoramic surveillance, day and night, without any blind spots.
Previous generation IRST systems, which scanned the area to be covered, cannot compete with the sensitivity level and data refresh rate of the new optronic surveillance systems. Indeed, the latter never take their eyes off their assigned surveillance sector: the static head allows optimal integration ease into the latest high architectures and superstructures. The elimination of rotating elements significantly increases reliability and reduces maintenance needs accordingly.
Artemis uses sophisticated algorithms to detect and track high-speed vessels on the water's surface, as well as various aerial threats – characteristic of current asymmetric conflicts – with a considerably reduced false alarm rate.
It also enables early detection of high-velocity missiles, monitoring of UAVs and unmanned surface vessels (USVs), management of simultaneous multi-directional attacks, and rapid and precise target designation. The sensors themselves have been designed to cover a 120° area with a single camera, where other systems typically require seven or eight.
With its cooled IR technology camera installed in each head, Artemis can automatically detect, track, and classify a wide range of surface threats based on their infrared signature. The system can track and integrate up to 200 simultaneous targets at short and medium range (including very low-flying combat aircraft, supersonic and sea-skimming missiles, as well as fast-boats or jet skis maneuvering at high speed) into the Combat Management System (CMS).
In littoral zones, Artemis helps strengthen and expand the capabilities of onboard radar systems by detecting targets whose classification is usually very problematic (such as fast boats taking advantage of coastal configurations to become invisible, or stealthy targets with low radar signatures). Ships equipped with the Artemis system can detect such threats more quickly, thus giving them more time to implement countermeasures and protect themselves effectively.
The system can also track land-based threats (tanks, armored vehicles, trucks, etc.) through their infrared signature. This unique coastal surveillance capability significantly raises the fleet's security level.
As a fully passive system, Artemis can also be used under EMCON (emission control) conditions, which require radars to be totally or partially deactivated to avoid any risk of detection and location by enemy forces. Its lack of electronic signature allows it to see without being seen, with suspicious elements unaware they are being observed. Artemis is also particularly useful when radars experience jamming conditions in intense conflict zones.
Beyond traditional tracking functions, Artemis provides electronically stabilized panoramic vision, allowing operators to observe any movement around the ship, day and night. An integrated infrared video zoom enables close examination and precise assessment of multiple potential threats – such as a suspicious element maneuvering among a group of fishing boats – or for monitoring coastal activities and installations. The infrared video function can also be utilized in a wide range of situations beyond defense scenarios, including navigation assistance, search and rescue operations, helicopter landing/takeoff safety, various law enforcement and control missions, and coastal installation surveillance.
• Early detection and tracking of high velocity missiles
• Improved quality of tracking (angular accuracy and high frequency)
• Detection of UAV, USV, asymmetric threats
• Fully passive for discrete operations and immune to clutter electro-magnetic operational environment.
