On 5 September 2000, the Royal Netherlands Navy and Thomson-CSF Signaal signed a contract for the delivery of four MIRADOR systems to be installed on the four Air Defence Frigates currently being built for the RNLN. The first MIRADOR system will be delivered to the Royal Netherlands Navy in 17 months' time.

The MIRADOR system is referred to as a Trainable Electro-Optical Observation System (TEOOS) by the Royal Netherlands Navy. The system supports the crew in detecting, tracking and identifying targets, in the daytime, at night, and under poor visibility conditions. Besides, MIRADOR can be used during radar silence. MIRADOR is capable of automatic, autonomous three-dimensional acquisition and tracking.

MIRADOR is equipped with a comprehensive sensor suite and combines optical observation and tracking capabilities. In total this MIRADOR configuration uses two daylight TV cameras, a thermal image camera, an eye-safe laser range finder, and a low light TV camera. MIRADOR incorporates the third generation Focal Plane Array camera Albatross produced by Thomson-CSF Delft Signaal Optronics featuring the latest technology.

The MIRADOR for the Royal Netherlands Navy will be integrated with the Combat Direction System and can be operated from any workstation in the command and control room or on the bridge, providing a high versatile operational application. The extra visual support provided by MIRADOR has become increasingly important in the changed role of vessels during brown water operations.

Apart from the system configuration for the RNLN, MIRADOR can be delivered as a stand-alone system. In such a configuration, the accurate target data, as provided by the 3D tracking function, are used for calculating the predicted hitting point and control of the connected guns. These calculations include all the ballistic calculations, taking into account their position with respect to the target and the influence of meteorological conditions. The result of these calculations is transformed into gun control data, allowing remote pinpointing of each gun to its aiming angle. The operator only has to press the fire button to complete the engagement sequence.

MIRADOR is in production for naval and ground-based applications. The naval version is designed for use on a wide range of platforms, from small patrol craft to large carriers, where it acts as an observation system and fire control director for distant optical investigation, anti-surface warfare and anti-air warfare. The ground-based version is designed as a modular passive air defence system that can be installed on several types of carriers (trailer, all terrain vehicle or directly on a gun).

This contract confirms the solid position of this new electro-optical tracking and observation system that has already been sold to four navies, including the Hellenic Navy, and one Air Force. Several other navies are interested in this product, one of them being the German Navy.