HENSOLDT to Supply Optical Vision Systems for PUMA Infantry Fighting Vehicles

HENSOLDT is supplying an unspecified number of optical vision systems for the PUMA infantry fighting vehicle.

The customers are KNDS and Rheinmetall, which produce and distribute the PUMA through their joint venture, PSM GmbH. The order value is in the double-digit million range.

The order includes vision systems for the turrets of the infantry fighting vehicles and equipment for twelve turret trainers for training vehicle crews. This delivery is intended to improve the PUMA on the K-Stand S1.

The contract involves the delivery of the turret-independent stabilized main optics PERI-RTWL for the commander and the turret-bound stabilized fire control optronics WAO for the gunner. Both sighting systems integrate three sensors: a third-generation ATTICA thermal imaging device, an eye-safe laser rangefinder with a long range, and a highly sensitive day vision camera in the WAO and a scanning camera in the PERI, which films the high-performance glass-optical channel.

"In the variant for S1, new color camera views and displays have been installed for the PERI and WAO, significantly improving reconnaissance on the battlefield for the commander and gunner," said Jan Erbe, Head of the Ground-based Systems business unit at HENSOLDT. "With the improved optics, the PUMA has a significantly increased combat value."

The PERI-RTWL is the commander's 360-degree vision system. It has a separate monitor for displaying the sensor views and includes a fiber-optic channel in an unmanned turret, combining direct and optronic vision in one system. The PERI also has a swiveling eyepiece, allowing the gunner to use the glass-optical direct vision.

The WAO was developed for the gunner as a purely optronic vision system. The ATTICA thermal imaging camera provides detailed and clear observation around the clock and in poor weather conditions. The laser rangefinder supplies range data directly to the fire control system and the command information system, enabling the gunner to detect and engage targets at great distances with precision.