Thales has signed a contract with General Dynamics Land Systems-UK for the integration of the latest automated threat warning system on to the British Army’s advanced Ajax armoured combat vehicles.
Under the £3.7m deal, Thales UK will deliver and install its latest Acusonic sensor on the army’s Ajax fleet of armoured vehicles worth £4.5bn.
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The acoustic shot-detection system has been designed specifically to precisely sense and report the direction of incoming enemy fire. It will provide crew members with critical situational awareness to address threats.
UK Defence, Equipment and Support Land Equipment director major general Colin McLean said: “Ajax will deliver a step-change in versatility, agility and protection for our soldiers.
“Integrating this new sensor on to our family of Ajax vehicles, which will provide critical situational awareness, is another innovation we are investing in to ensure that British soldiers have the very best equipment to maintain their competitive advantage on the battlefields of today and the future.”
Each Ajax vehicle will be integrated with three Acusonic sensors for a 360° threat-detection capability.
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By GlobalDataCurrently, the UK Army has ordered 735 units of the automated threat warning system for the combat vehicles.
The six variants of the Ajax family include Athena, Ajax, Ares, Apollo, Atlas and Argus. They are expected to come into service with the UK Army in 2020.
The new combat vehicle is expected to provide the army with improved intelligence, surveillance, protection, target acquisition and reconnaissance capabilities.
Acusonic sensors will be produced at the Thales facility in Templecombe, Somerset, which has more than 700 employees working in high-skilled manufacturing and technical roles.
