Thales UK sets its sights on Challenger 3
Challenger 3 Advanced Technology Demonstrator vehicle. (Photo: RBSL)
Prime contractor RBSL has selected Thales UK to provide advanced sighting systems for the Challenger 3 MBT.
Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) has issued a £90 million ($121.61 million) subcontract for Thales UK to provide sighting systems under the Challenger 3 MBT upgrade programme.
The contract will provide ‘panoramic and fixed azimuth weapon aiming sights’ for the vehicle commander and gunner in the Challenger 3, prime contractor RBSL announced on 7 February.
Thales will also provide a signal processing system with ‘state of the art video tracking’ and a Wide Area Search and Detection capability, the company added.
The system for Challenger 3 will increase the range and the detail available to the crew of the MBT, as well as provide accurate target identification, tracking, digital imagery and firing ranges.
RBSL stated that the sights will be tailored to meet Challenger 3 specifications as an ‘integral part’ of the wider £800 million MBT upgrade programme for the British Army, as announced by RBSL and the UK MoD in May 2021.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Poland to spend billions of dollars on K9 howitzers as it continues massive equipment refresh]()
Poland to spend billions of dollars on K9 howitzers as it continues massive equipment refresh
The deal between Poland and Hanwha has been valued at US$2.6 billion and is part of a larger agreement for 672 K9 howitzers and 288 Chunmoo MLRS.
-
![Rheinmetall to supply further artillery ammunition to Ukraine via NATO country]()
Rheinmetall to supply further artillery ammunition to Ukraine via NATO country
The order for tens-of-thousands of shells will be delivered in 2025 and Rheinmetall will also fulfil earlier orders of rounds for Ukraine in 2024.
-
![Elbit Systems signs agreement to build howitzers in Romania]()
Elbit Systems signs agreement to build howitzers in Romania
Elbit Systems has signed an agreement to establish a centre in Romania for the manufacture of the company’s 155mm Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (ATMOS) through …
-
![I/ITSEC 2023: British Army could have saved £120 million in artillery ammunition, says manufacturer]()
I/ITSEC 2023: British Army could have saved £120 million in artillery ammunition, says manufacturer
Cubic Blue Shell, a train-as-you-fight solution, has been in use by the British Army for three years offering an indirect fire training system that simulates artillery drills and weapons effects.
