Rheinmetall to provide gun mount-adaptable aiming system for German Army

LAZ sensors are mounted on the German Army's Fox

reconnaissance vehicle. Photo US Army.

1 February 2013 army-technology.com

Rheinmetall Defence has been awarded a contract to supply high-performance electro-optical (EO) sensors, gun mount-adaptable aiming system (LAZ) for integration with German Army vehicles.

Under the terms of €55m contract, the company will deliver 418 LAZ 200 and 275 LAZ 400L sensors for installation on around 700 remote control weapon stations (RCWS) on different vehicle types.

The contract has been awarded as part of a Bundeswehr procurement programme, which aims to significantly improve self-defence capabilities of numerous vehicle types, in addition to enhancing their night fighting capabilities.

Serving as the central element of the RCWS's electronic fire control unit, the sensor is capable of helping vehicle crew in target recognition, tracking and engagement in the battlefield.

Operating with RCWS enables crew members to safely respond to threats without leaving the armoured vehicle fighting compartment, which potentially eliminates exposure to enemy fire.

The legacy weapon systems can be operated only with the hatch open in unprotected mode.

Manufactured at the company's Ismaning plant, the LAZ 200 is a compact and lightweight sensor unit that features a thermal imager with three fields of view in non-cooled or cooled modes and a high resolution CCD daylight camera.

The advanced LAZ 400L model is equipped with a cooled thermal imaging device with enhanced night-vision capabilities, an eye-safe laser rangefinder, as well as operator interface and display devices that comprises an integral part of the overall weapon station system.

The sensors have already proven to be highly effective while operating from Bundeswehr's M93A1/M93A1P1 Fox NBC reconnaissance vehicle, Boxer, Yak and Dingo heavy armoured vehicles.

Deliveries under the contract are scheduled to continue for the next four years.