Pushing the Boundaries with Second Sight MS
At Bertin Environics, we believe in enabling rapid, reliable, and real-time protection when facing chemical threats. It is proven that Second Sight MS with its cutting-edge technology is able to successfully identify a gas cloud from an impressive distance of 5 kilometres.
Eyes in the Field — Even at 5 km
Monitoring large areas from a safe distance is critical when dealing with chemical threats.
(On the left) Satelite View. (On the right) View from the camera..
In this field trial, the Second Sight MS demonstrated its exceptional capability to detect and identify a sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) cloud from 5 km away — a distance that aligns with the operational demands of today’s leading military forces.
What Makes This Breakthrough Possible?
- Real Long-Range Capability: Detects gas clouds up to 5 km away.
- High Sensitivity: Captures even low-concentration clouds, such as those generated by small gas releases.
- Rapid Deployment: Operational in under 5 minutes, straight out of the box.
- Real-Time Alerts: Immediate vizualisation of moving gas clouds in real-time.
- Mobility and Efficiency: Can be fitted with different lenses to enhance optical performance depending on the application.
Behind the Trial
In this simulation, 8 kg of SF₆ was released — forming an initial cloud approximately 85 meters wide with a 500 ppm concentration. Within 30 seconds, the cloud expanded to 200 meters, its concentration dropping to 50 ppm before eventually dispersing. Despite the relatively small amount of gas, Second Sight MS successfully detected and identified the cloud in real-time, clearly pinpointing the source with the gas cloud visually indicated in light blue in the scene, and the contaminated area in purple.
Even more impressively, detection occurred under real atmospheric conditions, with the system navigating the challenges of distance and dispersion with confidence levels ranging from 80–90%. Thanks to GPS integration, the exact coordinates of the contaminated area were recorded, supporting immediate decision-making and intervention.
Why This Matters
Early detection is key in chemical threat scenarios. Being able to spot and identify a hazard from 5 km away gives operators valuable time to activate protective measures and secure the perimeter. This is why standoff detection at such long distances is now seen as a “must-have” capability for modern CBRN defence.
Second Sight MS proves that advanced technology can be both powerful and practical — offering unmatched situational awareness and helping keep personnel and civilians safe.
This article was originally published in Bertin Technologies website.
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