🚀 go-pugleaf

From cvalj001@vmsb.is.csupomona.edu


  A couple of people ahve asked me for further info on the Claribel Hostile
Fire Direction Indicator so here it is.  The book is WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT OF
COUNTER-TERRORISM by Michael Dewar.  It was published 1987 by Arms and Armour
Press Limited in London, UK.  It's distributed in Australia by Capricorn Link
Pty. Ltd., P.O. Box 665, Lane Cove, New South Wales 2066.

The text of the entry is as follows; "Developed for the British Army as a means
of determining the source of fire aimed at patrols or observation post,
Claribel is a low powered X-Band CW radar system.  It provides 360 coverage in
all weathers and picks up missiles of all velocities except stones, bricks,
etc.  Comprising four radar heads, commander's and crew's displays, central
processing unit, orientation unita, and power supply, the equipment can be
fitted in Land Rovers, APCs, and even saloon cars, in the last case invisibly
located in the bodywork.  After the tracking data has been processed, the
direction of fire is indicated on a simple, electro-luminescent clockface
display.  This visual warning is suplemented by an audible alarm.  The system
will indicate the positions of two snipers firing simultaneously.  Should the
vehicle driver take evasive action, the in built orientation system
correspondingly updates the information display.  Powered by lead/acid
batteries, the Claribel system can operate for eight hours between charges. 
VARIANTS:  A man-portable variant known as Aries houses the radar heads in a
specialty design flak jacket; the processor unit is carried in a pouch on the
belt and the display ona watchface on the wrist."

The book doesn't say who makes or give photo credits either.  For all of the
other equipment in the book, it gives the comapny name.  The Claribel is the
only system of this type that it mentions.
                                                           
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                   Daemon E. Hobbs, C/LtCol, AFROTC
                 Senior, (Spatial Information Systems)
                          Cal Poly, Pomona
                            **Commander**
                602D Air Force ROTC Cadet Squadron (ATC)
                Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA 91711

         "My ramblings represent no one's opinion but my own."
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