Leonardo DRS to provide electro-optical sensors for Australian vetronics to see outside when buttoned-up
WARREN, Mich. – U.S. Army combat vehicle experts needed electro-optical systems to enable vehicle crews to see outside while inside and protected from enemy fire. They found their solution from the Leonardo DRS Land Electronics segment in Melbourne, Fla.
Officials of the U.S. Army Contracting Command at Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Mich., announced a $9.6 million contract to Leonardo DRS last month for Integrated Vision Systems vetronics for the government of Australia.
The Integrated Vision Systems enable armored combat vehicle crew members to see outside the vehicle while remaining under protection of the vehicle's armor. It combines uncooled thermal technology in a two-axis stabilized gimbal with the Leonardo DRS Enhanced Situation Awareness camera system.
The Leonardo DRS integrated vision system sensors for armored combat vehicles has a two-axis stabilized gimbal sensor that provides 360-degree vision with image-intensified television, infrared sensor, and laser range finder.
These electro-optical sensors are for Australia's Assault Breacher Vehicle, which is designed to clear pathways for infantry soldiers and military vehicles through dangerous obstacles like mine fields, improvised explosive devices, and other roadside bombs.
The DRS integrated vision system for the Breacher has a two-axis stabilized gimbal sensor that provides 360-degree vision with image-intensified television, infrared sensor, and laser range finder. The Assault Breacher Vehicle is based on the M1A1 main battle tank chassis, weighs 72-tons, is 40 feet long, and has a 1,500 horsepower engine.
The vehicle has a plow that is 15 feet long, supported by metal skis that glide on the dirt. The vehicle carries about 7,000 pounds of explosives, including M58 rockets with C-4 explosives designed to detonate hidden explosives as far ahead of the vehicle as 150 yards to let soldiers troops and vehicles pass by safely.
The Australian military operates several armored combat vehicles, including the Australian Light Armored Vehicle (ASLAV); Bushmaster; G Wagon; M1 Abrams tank; and M113AS4 armored personnel carrier.
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The ASLAV is a wheeled, eight-wheel-drive vehicle that has been modified to deal with Australia's harsh conditions. The Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle – Medium (PMV-M) is an Australian-built four-wheel drive armored vehicle. The G-Wagon vehicle and its range of trailers and modules is designed to be used by the Australian army in tactical training, disaster relief, and securing Australia’s coastline.
The Abrams main battle tank has the firepower, mobility and survivability to provide the key component in the combined arms team. The M113AS4 armored personnel carrier provides the Australian Defence Force with a protected mobility and armored fighting capability.
On this contract Leonardo DRS will do the work in Melbourne, Fla., and should be finished by November 2024. For more information contact Leonardo DRS Land Electronics online at www.leonardodrs.com, or the Army Contracting Command-Detroit Arsenal at Paste link here.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
