Successful flight tests of ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH’s newly developed tactical video overlay software have been performed.

The software is an augmented reality technology that overlays a geo-referenced full HD video with data such as street names / numbers, targets, POIs and various line and surface objects.

Flight tests were performed with a FLIR system star SAFIRE 380HD electro-optical (EO) / infrared (IR) system on an EC-135 from the Police of Saxony.

The tactical video overlay is the latest software module for ESG’s mission management system for police and law enforcement.

The main advantages of ESG’s tactical video overlay augmented reality software is low-latency, high-accuracy, hardware independence and long-term support by a well-established German company.

A further advantage is that ESG can customise the software with regards to databases and graphical user interface.

The software uses similar overlay mechanisms that have already been applied in ESG’s own digital mapping system QT-LoGIS and TARANIS® command and control systems. With this approach, the tactical video overlay software can overlay the video with any customer-specific geo-referenced information.

The hardware independence allows usage of all geo-referenced EO /I R systems, from, for example, L3-Wescam, FLIR Systems and Cassidian Optronics.

Development of the tactical video overlay began at the end of 2012 with a thorough system design where the mathematics of the functional chain was set up and validated using a hardware-in-the-loop scenario simulation with virtual camera models. Step-by-step, the tests were extended to the real hardware on the ground and afterwards in the air.

ESG has positioned itself as partner for mission systems for police and law enforcement customers. Mission Systems and Integration Packages are developed with ESG’s Design Organization (EASA 21J) and delivered by its Production Organization (Part 21 G). Long-term Support is ensured by ESG’s EASA 145 certified Product Support Center that offers customized service packages that takes care of Mission Systems and 3rd party products.

For fifty years, ESG has been one of Germany’s leading companies for the development, integration, and operation of complex, frequently security-relevant, electronic and IT systems. More than 1,600 employees around the world provide logistics, system development, training and consultancy services for military, government, and industry customers.

Independent process and technology consultancy is one of ESG’s key areas of expertise. By enabling technology transfer between markets, we make the decisive contribution to the added value of our customers.