Sagem (Safran) has signed a contract with German manufacturer KMW (Krauss Maffei Wegmann) to integrate its SIGMA 30 navigation and pointing system on all PzH 2000 tracked artillery systems(*) acquired by Qatar.

Sagem designed the SIGMA 30 pointing system to give long-range artillery quick, high-precision firing capability without GPS. Because of its performance capabilities, it allows deployments by distributed artillery pieces, boosting mobility and protection by support units. The SIGMA 30 operates independently within the artillery system, protecting it against jamming and other countermeasures.

Based on digital laser gyro technology with a long optical path, SIGMA 30 reflects Sagem's proven expertise in the production of navigation systems and inertial sensors. Its SIGMA 30 navigation/pointing systems are produced in France at the company's Montluçon plant.

With this latest contract, Sagem further consolidates its offering of navigation and pointing systems to armies worldwide. SIGMA 30 systems have been selected for some 40 artillery systems in 20 countries, including the Archer system (BAE), the Nexter Systems Caesar, for France and international markets, the Nora wheeled system (SDPR), the M270 Mars 2 single-launch rocket system for NATO (Airbus Defense Systems), and the 2R2M mobile mortar (Thales).

The SIGMA 30 is combat proven. As part of the French army's Caesar gun, the Sigma 30 has contributed to French artillery units' effectiveness in some of the most demanding environments on Earth, including Afghanistan and, more recently, in Mali for Operation Serval.

Sagem applies all inertial technologies (mechanical, laser, fiber optic, vibrating) with over 60 years of experience in making civil and military navigation systems for all operating environments worldwide.