Thales Unveils New Reconnaissance Sub-System for Combat Vehicles

On the occasion of the high tech exhibition Eurosatory 2008, Thales Suisse has presented a bi-sensor reconnaissance sub-system on the tactical vehicle EAGLE IV by General Dynamics/Mowag. The recce sub-system includes a tactical radar as well as an optical camera on a 10 meter mast. This sub-system will also be exhibited at Comm '08 in Frauenfeld. Mobile reconnaissance systems are an important element for the situation assessment in military operations, peace keeping missions and border defense. Thales has developed in close co-operation with Mowag a reconnaissance package which has been presented for the first time at Eurosatory in Paris. The module can be mounted quickly onto the EAGLE IV, thus allowing the user to have the vehicle available for the required mission in almost no time. The demonstrator is equipped with an optronics sensor head (including thermal imaging sensor) with optical zoom and 360 degrees rotator as well as with a tactical radar and an optional data transmission system. The reconnaissance package enables the extension of a multitude of sensors to up to 10 meters height and to fully retract them into the module in less than two minutes. As a result, all sensors are protected while the vehicle is in motion and the silhouette of the vehicle remains neutral. Thales' competence in vehicle integration services has already been proven with many demanding projects in Switzerland: Communication vehicle RAP tank, mobile multi-purpose transmitter IFASS, antenna container and NBC reconnaissance vehicle. Thales is also delivering Recce solutions for other countries such as the VBL Source for the French Army, the Recce Pandur for the Belgium Army and the PRV Lux for the Luxemburg Army. Erwin Zurfluh, Chief Technology Officer of Thales Suisse says: "This example shows that a highly complex reconnaissance module can be fully integrated into an even compact vehicle".