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| Automatic
control in Bank programming mode |
Bank
programming |
Many
army ranges worldwide are equipped with the rugged and reliable
Fixed Electric Target (FET) produced by Royal Ordnance,
Blackburn. The control of these units was accomplished
originally by the standard console, which used manual up and
down switching. In addition, the console reported hits achieved
by means of a mechanical counter. Although a new version of this
console is now in production - UK Infantry Range Control Console
type 470 - there are many original consoles in use.
The standard console was supplemented some years ago by the EASI
system, which allowed pre-programmed sequences to be initiated
by a separate console. This console, which connected into the
standard consoles and took control, had a limited range of
programmes available and changes to programmes could not be done
easily.
MS Instruments PLC have developed two units to provide a
flexible, modern control system, which builds on the simplicity
of the earlier systems and offers considerable improvements.
These units can be used with the standard consoles, however
significant improvements are available when the MS Instruments
PLC console, FET controller PCB and solid-state hit switch are
used. The latter two components are a simple modification to the
standard FET which offer increased reliability and allow
rapid-fire, bounce-back and other advanced features see Fixed
Electric Target Upgrades.
The units are the Training
Automation Controller (TAC) and the Advanced Training Automation
Controller (ATAC).
TAC
This unit is a plug-in replacement
for the EASI system. It controls banks of targets only, in the
same manner as the EASI. The main advantage of the TAC is that
additional training programmes can be written by the Officer on
site or may be distributed simply from Central Services. By use
of e-mail, all systems, however remote, could be upgraded within
minutes.
The system is password protected to ensure that only authorised
personnel may modify or add sequences.
The software is supplied with an additional-user license
allowing authorised personnel to design and produce training
programmes at any PC-compatible computer.
The system comprises a junction box and a portable processor
with control software and floppy disk drive. This connection
method allows traditional manual control from the consoles as
well as automatic control.
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| Automatic
control in Solo programming mode |
Solo
Programming |
ATAC
This unit is similar to TAC, however
an intelligent interface unit is provided in place of the
junction box. The standard console may still be used for manual
control. The ATAC system has all of the functionality of TAC
with the following additional features:
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OPTIONS |
Console with LED
Hit count display, bounce-back and single button reset of all
counters |
FET solid-state
conversion comprising PCB and hit-switch |
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