Cassidian Optronics GmbH, a subsidiary of Airbus Defence and Space, has received an order valued at more than 40 million euros from Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG and Rheinmetall Defence Electronics GmbH, for the supply of vision equipment.

The optical and optronic equipment will be integrated into Leopard 2 A7+ battle tanks and PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers operated by customers in the Middle East region.

Till von Westerman, head of the “Ground” activities at Cassidian Optronics GmbH, assessed the significance of the order: “With this order, Cassidian Optronics continues to be the leading supplier of stabilised periscopes and weapon optronics sensors for the entire Leopard family. We view this as recognition of the performance of our products which we continuously improve to increase safety and effectiveness.”

The equipment supplied for the battle tanks includes, amongst other items, the PERI RTWL commander’s periscope (RTWL = abbreviation for all round view, day, heat, laser), the sensors for the EMES 15 gunner’s sight as well as the FERO Z18 auxiliary sighting telescope. For the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers, Cassidian Optronics is supplying the gunner’s sight and the commander’s periscope. For indirect targeting, if the gun laying sensors fail, the R19 panoramic periscope with 4x magnification is supplied. All vehicles are equipped with the Spectus driver’s vision device.

The PERI RTWL stabilised commander’s periscope contains a third-generation Attica thermal imaging unit, a daylight camera as well as an eye-safe laser range-finder. If a target has been acquired with the PERI RTWL periscope, the data can be sent to the battle tank’s EMES 15 fire control system. For the EMES 15 system, Cassidian Optronics supplies the Attica thermal imaging unit and parts of the daylight optics as well as the laser range-finder. Working together with the fire control system, these sensors ensure very precise targeting and a high probability of the first shot hitting the target.

With the Spectus multi-spectral driver’s vision device, images from an uncooled, high-resolution thermal imaging unit are seamlessly overlayed with images from a camera supporting twilight use, to create a more multi-layered image whether for daytime, night time or for restricted visibility use.

Employing about 800 staff at the German locations of Oberkochen and Wetzlar, and at Irene in South Africa, Cassidian Optronics GmbH develops and manufactures optical and optronic products which are used in military ground, sea and air systems, in border surveillance and security systems, in non-military high-tech systems and in the aerospace sector. Cassidian Optronics combines the optical and optronic precision technology from Carl Zeiss Optronics with Cassidian’s know-how as a global market leader in defence and security technology.

Airbus Defence and Space
31.03.2014