Airbus Defence and Space subsidiary Cassidian Optronics has been awarded a contract for the supply of optical and optronic equipment for integration into armoured vehicles operated by undisclosed customers in the Middle East.
Awarded by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall Defence Electronics, the €40m agreement covers delivery of vision equipment for installation into Leopard 2 A7+ main battle tanks (MBTs) and PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers.
Specific equipment supplied for the Leopard 2 A7+ tanks includes the PERI all round view, day, heat, laser (RTWL) commander’s periscope, sensors, such as Attica thermal imaging unit and parts of the daylight optics, and laser range-finder for the EMES 15 gunner’s sight, as well as the FERO Z18 auxiliary sighting telescope, amongst other items.
Cassidian will supply the gunner’s sight and the commander’s periscope for the self-propelled howitzers, as well as panoramic periscopes with 4x magnification for indirect targeting, if the gun laying sensors fail.
All vehicles will also be fitted with the Spectus driver’s vision device that enables seamless overlaying of images from an uncooled, high-resolution thermal imaging unit with images from a camera that supports twilight use. This creates a more multi-layered image for day and night, or for restricted visibility use.
Cassidian Optronics Ground activities head Till von Westerman said: "We view this as recognition of the performance of our products, which we continuously improve to increase safety and effectiveness."
Equipped with a third-generation Attica thermal imaging unit, a daylight camera, as well as an eye-safe laser range-finder, the PERI RTWL stabilised commander’s periscope acquires a target and sends the data to the tank’s EMES 15 fire-control system.
The EMES 15 features two vision modes, namely normal day vision and a thermal vision mode, and offers the gunner an ability to engage targets from movement in any terrain or weather.
The sensors supplied by Cassidian will work alongside the fire control system to ensure precise targeting and a high probability of the first shot hitting the target.
Image: The PERI RTWL commander’s periscope installed onboard a Leopard main battle tank. Photo: courtesy of Airbus Defence and Space.
