Cassidian Optronics has been awarded a contract for the modernisation of the Leopard 2 main battle tanks (MBTs) of several Nato member countries.
Valued at more than €15m, the contract requires the Airbus Defence and Space subsidiary to integrate modern sensors on the gunner and commander sights of more than 100 Leopard 2 tanks in Germany, Canada and Denmark.
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Specifically, the company will supply its advanced thermal imager with 2D IR CMOS Array (ATTICA) along with additional sensors and system components.
Operated either as a stand-alone system or integrated into multi-sensor platforms, ATTICA is a third-generation thermal imager designed to help tank commanders in rapid acquisition and effective engagement of hostile targets at longer ranges during day and night on the battlefield.
The modular imager has a 15° wide field-of-view (WFOV) that can be doubled to 30° for upgrade into a high-definition version with a detector, which enhances surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities even in challenging environments.
Capable of integrating into legacy systems, ATTICA provides continuous optical zoom, while supporting installation of additional equipment, such as automatic target tracker, laser rangefinder, designator and image processor.
Introduced as standard in the German Army Leopard’s PERI R17 commander’s sight in 2013, the imager will become standard in the Canadian and Danish gunner’s sight in addition to the commander’s sight, further standardising the Leopard user nations’ configuration of their tanks.
Additional contract details, including the number of units ordered and delivery schedule, remain undisclosed.
Manufactured by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) as a successor to the Leopard 1 tank, the Leopard 2 MBT is designed to engage moving targets while moving over rough terrain.
Image: ATTICA helps tank commanders in rapid acquisition and engagement of hostile targets at longer ranges. Photo: © 2013 Airbus Defence and Space.
