Rheinmetall announces sensor award

Rheinmetall announced on 29 February that the Germany Army had awarded it a €55 million contract as part of the latter's vehicle modernisation efforts.

The company will supply some 700 high-performance LAZ 200 and LAZ 400L sensors to be fitted to weapon stations destined for a variety of vehicles over the next four years

Rheinmetall will be equipping the Bundeswehr with 418 LAZ 200 and 275 LAZ 400L sensors.

The Bundeswehr procurement programme will significantly enhance the self- defence capabilities of numerous different vehicles. It will also assure a substantially improved night fighting capability.

The sensor units form the central element of the electronic fire control unit in the weapon station, enabling effective target recognition, tracking and engagement. In combination with remotely operated weapon stations, they let vehicle crews respond to threats without having to leave the safety of the armoured fighting compartment, potentially exposing themselves to hostile fire.

Among the vehicles to receive the new systems will be the German Army's Fuchs and Dingo armoured patrol vehicles, Boxer armoured fighting vehicle, Yand ak tactical wheeled vehicle.

The compact LAZ 200/400L systems comprise a sensor unit consisting of a thermal imaging device, a high-resolution CCD camera and, in the case of the 400L, a laser rangefinder. Unlike the LAZ200, the LAZ 400L model features a cooled thermal imaging device with an even better night vision capability.

The package also includes operator interface and display devices, which form an integral part of the overall weapon station system.

Rheinmetall will be equipping the Bundeswehr with 418 LAZ 200 and 275 LAZ 400L sensors in total.