MSPO 2024: Polish Optoelectronic Communication, Protection, and Precision Weapons

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At MSPO, under the aegis of the Polish Photonics Technology Platform, Telesystem’s booth is showcasing for the first time the “integrated optoelectronic environment for battlefield support” system. This is the result of collaboration between CRW Telesystem-Mesko, the Military University of Technology (WAT), and WAT’s Institute of Optoelectronics, funded by the National Centre for Research and Development.

The system components can serve as field surface optics communication, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), and act as a laser warning receiver

In practice, this system could enable communication and identification systems to supply data for battlefield management solutions without using radio communication, making it hard to detect while ensuring efficient information exchange.

This is all possible thanks to several subsystems working together. One of the key elements is a family of laser rangefinders emitting coded beams that are eye-safe and difficult to detect. These rangefinders can be mounted on various vehicles (like tanks, howitzers, or even logistic vehicles equipped with weapon modules or unmanned systems) or carried by operators. The range, depending on the version, exceeds 15 km (for NATO targets), which is sufficient for tactical-level communication.

The second component is the OBRA++ laser warning system, developed by IOE WAT (Military University of Technology) in cooperation with CRW Telesystem-Mesko. This system measures distances, receives and generates optical “query” and “response” signals (in the IFF system), and detects and identifies laser beams illuminating the equipped vehicle, determining the direction of the source. Additionally, OBRA++ processes data from the laser beams and transmits it to a higher-level system.

Not only does this system, thanks to encoded beams, establish communication but it also conducts combat identification of targets while continuously providing warnings about laser targeting systems used by the enemy, acting as an LWR. This is a forward-looking solution, especially given the saturation of modern battlefields with electronic reconnaissance means capable of detecting communication systems.

Other solutions developed by or in collaboration with CRW Telesystem-Mesko are also being showcased in Kielce. One such system is the Kusza SAM module, which carries two Piorun or Grom anti-aircraft missiles and features optoelectronic targeting systems and power supply, allowing it to remain on combat duty for several days without using the vehicle’s battery.

Kusza can operate within an integrated air defense system or independently and can be equipped with an IFF system. It offers short response times and high levels of flexibility, as it can be mounted on manned vehicles (such as a Toyota Hilux or military AERO) or unmanned systems (like the PIAP-IBIS).

At MSPO 2024, the man-portable Piorun anti-aircraft missile systems, and their developmental version Piorun NG, are once again being demonstrated. The new version includes an upgraded guidance system to extend the range and a new seeker head with enhanced resistance to potential countermeasures.

Also presented are the Pirat anti-tank guided missile and its target detection and designation system (CLU), developed in cooperation between CRW Telesystem-Mesko and PCO. Pirat can engage targets up to 2.5 km away, including in “top attack” mode, hitting targets from above. The missile is guided by an encoded laser beam compliant with NATO STANAG 3733, allowing any compatible laser designator to mark the target. An export version of the Pirat, named Jack-S, is also available.

In addition, APR 155 mm PGMs for Krab and K9 howitzers and APR 120 mm PGMs for Rak self-propelled mortars are being showcased. All these systems use the same Polish laser guidance system, compliant with NATO standards, developed by Telesystem.

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