Video Tracking and Advanced Radar Integration

FLIR’s M400XR and M500 models are equipped with a video tracker feature. Video tracking allows the camera to follow a target of interest automatically without any continuous input from the operator. The camera will automatically track the target if the target remains in an unobstructed view. The video tracker works seamlessly between the visible and thermal cameras, allowing you to switch between systems and adjust zoom settings.

Integrating a FLIR maritime camera to a compatible radar system can significantly reduce operator workload. Depending on the level of system integration, captains can select an AIS or MARPA target of interest on a touchscreen MFD and slew the FLIR camera to the target’s location. The selected target is tracked automatically by the camera. This is called camera slew-to-cue and it can assist in coordinated man overboard situations and help captains locate markers or other targets in the distance. Once only available for sophisticated military systems, slew-to-cue target tracking can work seamlessly between visible and thermal cameras for systems with dual payloads. FLIR maritime thermal cameras are compatible with many marine electronics displays from Raymarine, Furuno, and Garmin. Please check with your specific manufacturer to determine whether or not slew-to-cue integration is available on your particular system.

FLIR can also integrate with many high-seas radar systems that support NMEA0183 RSD and TTM messaging. Using the RSD sentence the FLIR thermal camera can follow the position of the radar or ECDIS on-screen cursor. This makes it simple to point the camera at any object on the radar scope or chart displays. Using the TTM sentence the FLIR thermal camera can automatically point at and switch between tracked ARPA targets. The FLIR NMEA0183 integration can also allow the thermal camera system to pan to the bearing of the next waypoint in a route.