MSS 6000

The SSC Airborne Maritime Surveillance System

MSS 6000 THE SSC AIRBORNE MARITIME SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

Supporting surface operations in real time

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Real time data delivery to the Mission Command Centre

The MSS 6000 Tactical Map

Real time support to surface operations

Inside the Dash 8 at the operator console

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 a day at work in Estonia

The Estonian Border Guard started operating their new MSS 6000 system in 2007. The system is installed on a LET 410 aircraft.

Preparing the mission:

Weather information and other data on the planned mission are collected and the mission prepared on the MSS 6000 ground station.

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Pre-flight briefing:
The aircrew is briefed on the planned mission and any background data of importance to this particular mission.

The aircrew prepares for flight:

Supporting mission data, entered at the MSS 6000 Ground Station, are transferred to the airborne MSS 6000 system using a removable USB disk.

Sensors installed:
SLAR, IR/UV-scanner, AIS, high-speed satcom, cameras and FLIR. (Photo shows SLAR antenna and FLIR turret.)

Working at the operator console in flight:

The operators working environment is ergonomically designed with easy access controls adapted to tough flight conditions. With a SLAR range of 80 nm and AIS information from all vessels within VHF range, the MSS 6000 gives a real time overview of the maritime activities in a large area of operation.

MSS 6000 graphical user interface:

Real-time window views of tactical map with AIS targets, SLAR image, IR/UV image FLIR/video image. The object list (far right) gives an up to date information on all targets and operations.

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Using the airborne camera system:

The handheld still camera and video camera provide for close-up photography of activities on the sea surface.

Still camera image with annotation:

All images and video sequences are annotated with DGPS time and position along with mission ID and aircraft ID, thus strengthening the evidence value.

Interaction with the pilots:

A cockpit display, providing image repetition of MSS 6000 imagery (SLAR, IR/UV, FLIR/video and tactical map) gives up to date mission information to the pilots.

Mission completed:
The crew returns to base. All mission data can be stored on one single removable USB disk.

Post-processing:
The mission is loaded to the MSS 6000 Ground Station for further analysis and processing. The reporting is finalized and, if required, the mission data are archived on DVD media.

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The SSC Airborne Maritime Surveillance systems are used in more than 20 countries around the world. The system is built for real time monitoring and analysis of the sea surface. Typical missions include:
EEZ (Economic Zone Protection) Environmental protection/Oil Pollution Border and fishery control Ship traffic management Search and rescue Ice patrol

Oil spill documentation

The MSS 6000 operator interface gives a comprehensive view of a detected oil spill as captured by the SLAR and IR sensors as well as in a geocorrected map overlay.

Surveillance of ship traffic

The MSS 6000 presents a correlated overview of ship traffic and other sea surface activities using SLAR, EO/IR and AIS sensors.

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MSS 6000 An integrated ma system for full control o

Communication & Reporting
For real-time in-flight data communication a SATCOM system is integrated with the MSS. The recorded mission can also be replayed after landing in the aircraft or on a ground station. The mission report with images and tactical map snapshots captured during the mission can be delivered via SATCOM while in the air or by e-mail or mobile phone after landing.

Operator Console
All functions are accessible from the operator console. Several identical consoles can be operated in parallel, for training or for work load distribution.

Cameras
The MSS 6000 camera system provides digital imagery and video documentation. Each frame is automatically annotated with time, position and mission information for future reference. All imagery is automatically stored on the system hard disk and the points of acquistion are logged in the tactical map.

DF
The Direction Finder (DF) functionality provides direction information on radio transmitters, including the 406 MHz emergency frequency and decoding of COSPAS/SARSAT data.

MWR/LFS
If oil pollution analysis is one of your primary missions, the Microwave Radiometer and Laser flourosensor can be integrated in the system to give additional information.

Search Light
A search light adds to the visual observation capability during low-light conditions.

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maritime surveillance f your coastal waters

AIS
The integrated Automatic Identification System (AIS) provides real time information on all surface vessel traffic operated under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)

VMS
The integrated Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) functionality provides a possibility to upload information on fishing vessels from the national fisheries authority to be accessed together with other mission data.

Search Radar
A search radar can be added to the system for general surveillance. The MSS 6000 is designed to integrate a forward looking or 360 degrees search radar for importing target tracks into the tactical map database.

Binoculars
Gyro-stabilized binoculars add to the visual observation capability.

FLIR
A FLIR is used for day and night identification and documentation. The FLIR and/or video images are digitally recorded in the system and crossreferenced with all other observations stored in the system.

IR/UV
The Infrared/Ultraviolet (IR/UV) Line Scanner is used to obtain high resolution imagery of ship wakes, accident sites etc. It is ideal for mapping oil spills and other types of pollution, as well as other types of hydrological phenomena such as upwelling warmer/colder water .

SLAR
The key sensor of the MSS 6000 is the SLAR. The SLAR produces a detailed map-like image for monitoring a large number of sea surface activities and phenomena in the area under surveillance, such as oil spills, fishing activities, small boats, life rafts etc.

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The MSS 6000 is in a constant process of development for improving the operational use of the system. New features have been introduced in new projects for the Finnish Border Guard and Transport Canada. These new functions are aimed at improving the operational effectiveness of the patrol aircraft .

Integration of satellite images

Satellite images can be imported to MSS 6000 either preflight or, in case of an alert arriving to the command centre while an aircraft is airborne, in-flight via the satellite link. The imagery is also used for planning the missions of the aircraft. With the upgraded systems the satellite images can now also be imported and visualised in the system on board the aircraft.The satellite data is overlaid on the tactical map thus giving the operator an improved overview of the area under observation. This will reduce response times, save fuel and increase productive flight time.

recordings This new feature further increases the capability of the MSS 6000 to collect evidence on observed violations of the law.

Improved tactical map

The improved tactical map supports the situational overview of the operator by showing;

Background data, such as

Imported satellite images Way points / flight plan Territorial borders Economic zone borders Fishing zones Ship lanes Offshore installations Patrol areas Protected areas The map further supports the situation overview as well as the documentation of the mission by providing

HELCOM reporting
The built-in HELCOM report form has been updated for easier use and to conform to the new standard agreed in HELCOM on how oil spills are to be assessed and reported.

Improved communication
The integrated high speed satellite communications systems allows real time transfer of reports, images and video from the aircraft to the ground. The improved satellite communication will allow regular and automatic AIS information updates, continous updates of the aircraft position, live streaming video, exchange of target information images and video.

Real-time mission data, such as

Geocorrected overlays of SLAR, IR/UV and other mapping sensor data Target tracks from the search radar AIS tracks with automatic updates Radio direction finder information VMS DATA Time and location for recorded video and images Target notes and observations Event markers Notes on local weather

Voice recording
The MSS 6000 also makes it possible to record to disk audio sequences from the operators voice communications over the intercom system which is much appreciated by the end user. The recording is controlled by the operator and each audio recording is automatically annotated with date, time and position data, just as for other sensor

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Data, radar, video, maps and images are exchanged with the mission command centre in real time - this allows the aircraft to be effectively used as a central resource in the surveillance network.
With the Mission Command Centre, SSC has developed a new addition to its maritime surveillance concept. The MCC provides an exquisite tool for the Mission Command to plan, follow, direct and archive the missions of all flying units. In the MCC the mission is prepared before flight and followed and managed from the ground in real time during the flight.

The MCC displays the flight track of all flying units on the tactical map. It receives data from the aircraft including position, updates, incident reports, AIS and target information, images and streaming video. The incoming data is shown on a digital map in the MCC to give an overview of the situation. From the MCC further instructions can be issued to the aircraft in real time on how to proceed with the mission. All mission information is stored in a database from where it can be analysed and processed. Using the filter functions and background databases, important information about ship movements and the identity and activity of observed vessels can be easily visualised on the screen.

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TRAINING / SUPPORT
Training is an indispensable part of any system delivery to ensure efficient operation. With every installed system we deliver: Operator Training, Maintenance Engineer Training and Executive Briefing. No system is better than its product support. Our standard procedures with regard to customer training, initial spare parts provisions and system documentation, as well as support from SSC during the system life cycle, will ensure that the system is operational and available. Customer satisfaction is an SSC commitment!

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OUR STAFF
Our dedicated and highly skilled staff is working hard to support your missions
Visiting our customer in Estonia in September 2008

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INSTALLATIONS
Our systems are operated around the world. We have delivered more than 60 airborne maritime surveillance systems on board a number of different aircraft.

Sweden

Greece

Norway

USA

Poland

portugal

Greece

Portugal

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Canada

Sweden

Canada

Poland

Estonia

Finland

India

Malaysia

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SSC
Airborne Systems P.O. Box 4207 SE-171 04 Solna Sweden Tel: +46 (0)8 627 62 00

www.sscspace.com

Design & production: Infobahnreklambyra.se. Photography: SSC, CBC TV, ESA.