22 Jan 13. Cassidian Optronics GmbH, previously known as Carl Zeiss Optronics GmbH, will supply the new “Attica” thermal imaging unit for the commander’s periscope in the Bundeswehr’s Leopard 2 battle tanks. After extensive trials, the German procurement authority BAAINBw (Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support) has awarded this Cassidian subsidiary an order to deliver the “Attica” to a value of almost €7m. The third generation of thermal imaging equipment from Cassidian Optronics thus becomes the standard for the commander’s Peri R17 periscope, which is also supplied by Cassidian Optronics. The use of the Attica thermal imaging device significantly enhances the tank commander’s ability to acquire targets, thus improving the safety of the crew. With the Peri R17, the commander is able to supply the gunner with marked targets by day and night, to then be able to acquire other targets without delay. The acquisition of targets can thus be separated from their engagement, which enables quicker reactions. The Attica system meets the complex requirements presented by today’s mission scenarios. This equipment, which has already been selected for the Puma armoured infantry fighting vehicle, is thus developing into a unit which is used across the Bundeswehr, especially in the tank force and mechanised infantry, as well as in the artillery. This results in logistical benefits and a reduction in operating costs when using thermal imaging equipment from the same family of products. As a consequence of this German decision, other states in the “LEOBEN” association of Leopard user states are also planning procurement of the Peri R17. This will further standardise the level of configuration for the LEOBEN states.
24 Jan 13. Turkey abandons USD4bn T-Loramids SAM system buy. Turkey has decided to abandon its plans to buy an off-the-shelf system for its T-Loramids surface-to-air missile (SAM) programme and is now seeking to co-develop a SAM system instead. Local and foreign defence industry sources have informed IHS Jane’s that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan used his influence on the Executive Committee (EC) of the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) during its 3 January meeting to abandon the USD4bn purchase of 12 SAM systems in favour of the development of an advanced SAM system between Turkey and one of the bidding companies. To the surprise of many, Turkey failed to pick a winner for its six-year-old T-Loramids SAM project during the 3 January meeting of the EC, the top decision making body on arms procurement – chaired by Erdogan. The SSM and the four foreign bidders in the T-Loramids project are now working on the details of a co-development model, although none of the parties would provide a comment on the details to IHS Jane’s. (Source: Jane’s)
24 Jan 13. Kongsberg studies JSM for submarine launch. Norway’s Kongsberg Defence Systems has revealed plans to develop an encapsulated submarine-launched variant of its Joint Strike Missile (JSM), with development expected to be considered as an option for Norway’s submarine fleet beyond 2020. A derivative of the Nytt Sjomalsmissile/Naval Strike Missile (NSM) surface-to-surface guided missile, which entered service with the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) in October 2012, JSM was initially conceived as an air-launched multimission precision-guided weapon designed for internal carriage on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). While retaining the imaging infrared seeker and GPS-aided navigation and guidance package of NSM, the JSM air vehicle has been substantially re-engineered to meet requirements for air launch and internal integration in the JSF weapons bay. Changes include a slimmer, reprofiled airframe, a new turbojet engine, a revised intake arrangement, and new shoulder-mounted wing surfaces. Additional internal volume for fuel pushes range out to over 275 km; a two-way Link 16-compatible datalink is also incorporated.