November 5, 2006: The U.S. Marine Corps is buying 140 more Gyrocam TS multi-mode surveillance cameras, for about $370,000 each. These units have a combination day/thermal/night camera mounted in a gimbaled enclosure that allows the operator to quickly move the field-of-view around. The unit also includes a laser illuminator, which can provide illumination, out to 600 meters, in no-light conditions. There is also a laser rangefinder. The camera has 36X magnification and 800 line video display for the operator. The Gyrocam TS can be mounted in trucks, boats or aircraft (typically helicopters.) The marines had earlier bought 67 Gyrocam TS units for the Cougar armored vehicles used by their EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) teams. The Gyrocam TS enables the EOD guys inside the Cougar to get a good look at potential roadside bombs, or any other suspicious activity out there. The 70 pound Gyrocam TS has an eleven pound electronic interface units and a seven pound laptop control console, which can be mounted in the vehicle, or just perched on the knees of the operator.
