Our standard product portfolio does not reflect what you are looking for? Do you need a Mount that meets specific requirements? Then we are exactly the right partner for you! The design and manufacturing of Gyro Stabilization Mounts is our core business and therefore we can draw on many years of expertise when it comes to providing customized solutions. In the past years we have designed numerous Mounts in various configurations for our customers who approached us with special requests. We at SOMAG see each custom-made Mount as an engineering challenge that we gladly accept, as it contributes to our professional growth. Please get in touch with our experts about your project.
GSM 4000 Open Skies
GSM 4000 OS – A custom-made Mount for one of the most modern reconnaissance aircraft in the world
Together with our partners from IGI – Integrated Geospatial Innovations and ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH, SOMAG AG Jena manufactured a custom-made GSM – the GSM 4000 Open Skies on behalf of the German Federal Armed Forces. Since this Gyro Mount has to meet the specific requirements of the aviation industry, various modifications and adaptions were made to our standard GSM 4000 device. The following adjustments were made:
- The internal wiring, which previously consisted of various materials, was replaced by PTFE wiring in order to reduce flammability.
- The previous brush motors were replaced by brushless motors to eliminate the risk of brush fire.
- Moreover, three temperature sensors were mounted on each motor of the Mount to prevent overheating.
- To ensure electromagnetic compatibility, the motor cables were shielded and a metal mesh fabric was attached to the outside of the Mount to minimize electromagnetic emission.
- In addition, adjustments were made to the latch design. They offer the advantage to lift the mount from one side in order to access the payload from below and to refix the mount in its regular position. Due to the difficult accessibility of the latches at the installation location, they were redesigned in such a way that they can be unlocked and locked using an Alley key.
- Last but not least we applied a special paint job for this project and re-enforced parts of the vibration isolation ring to meet the extended environmental tests.
©Lufthansa Technik AG / Jan Brandes
Due to the requirements placed on the Mount, this project, which was completed over a period of one and a half years, was a particularly challenging task, which we gladly accepted. Thus, this order not only contributed to the technical development of our device, but also to the professional development of the employees involved.
Project Background
A former business jet, an Airbus A 319, was converted into one of the world’s most modern observation aircraft on behalf of the German Federal Armed Forces. The aircraft will be in service from 2020 under the Open Skies Treaty. Signed March 24, 1992 the treaty allows the currently 34 States Parties to conduct reconnaissance flights over the territories of the others on fixed routes and to take photographs, radar and infrared pictures. This is a confidence-building measure with maximum transparency. The agreement is an important pillar of arms control in the OSCE area with the aim of securing peace.
The conversion and system integration took place under the leadership of Lufthansa Technik AG at the Lufthansa base in Hamburg. Together with numerous industrial partners, the aircraft was initially completely overhauled and subsequently received more than 150 modifications. Extensive conversion work was performed on the fuselage to install a digital infrared sensor and digital optical camera systems for three different flight altitudes. Vibrations and movements of the integrated camera technology will be compensated by the stabilization technology of SOMAG AG Jena on future Open Sky flights.
Adjustments were also made to the aircraft cabin. Among other things, the cabin was equipped with operating stations for the observation team as well as additional seats for the staff of the overflown state party as well as the staff of partner nations. In addition, maintenance flaps and access doors were installed throughout the cabin to ensure easy access to the systems. Once accredited by the Member States, the A 319 can be rent by other countries for mission flights. In addition to its projected function, the aircraft can also be used for medical and military passenger transport.
More information about the aircraft conversion.
The TV report of the ceremonial handover can be viewed here (only in German).
Custom-made Gyro Mounts
SSM 350L Custom-Made Mount
Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH looked for a lightweight and efficient Mount. The SSM 350L was the optimal choice for their needs.
Requirements for the Nose Pod:
- Lightweight Mount
- Optimal Dimensions
- Special Specifications
SOMAG AG Jena manufactured a Gyro Stabilization Mount, named SSM 350L. The SSM 350L had a compact design and a reduced weight. Carbon fiber was chosen as material for the Mount.
The lightweight design makes the device particularly interesting, because our Gyro Mount and the UltraCam are placed in the nose pod of an aircraft. In addition to this, we varied dimensions. This dimension allows free movement in a localized manner for the whole system. SSM 350L series utilize latest gear drive and an electro mechanical gimbal system, which works without oil. The compact design with low weight effectively supports the Diamond systems.
© Diamond Aircraft Industries
© Diamond Aircraft Industries
SSM 350 MMA – Hybrid Gyro Mount
SOMAG AG Jena manufactured a Gyro Stabilizer called SSM 350 MMA for Airborne Technologies GmbH. The SSM 350 MMA is a hybrid mount and combines the SSM 350 specifications, the SSM 350L carbon fiber cover and the vibration isolation ring. This ensures a drastic reduction in vibration and optimal benefits for full motion. In addition, the size of the gyro stabilization mount is adapted to aircraft due to the smaller internal space.
Vertical Gyro Stabilization Mount VSM 500
SOMAG AG Jena manufactured a Gyro Stabilization Mount called VSM 500. The VSM 500 has been specially developed for VisionMap‘s A3 camera family. The A3 camera family comprises a high-resolution sensor in combination with a large scattering width. The systems are tightly coupled to ensure a perfect workflow. The VisionMap VSM 500 also has additional OEM branding.