Cassidian Optronics, a subsidiary of Airbus Defence and Space, has been awarded contracts for the modernisation of more than 100 Leopard 2 main battle tanks in Germany, Canada and Denmark.

The contract to equip the gunner and commander sights with modern sensors is worth over €15 m.

ATTICA, a third-generation thermal imaging device from Cassidian Optronics, constitutes the main element of the deliveries, along with additional sensors and system components. The device was introduced as standard in the PERI R17 commander’s sight in Germany in 2013. In Canada and Denmark, the camera will now also become standard in the gunner’s sight, in addition to the commander’s sight. This will serve to further standardise the LEOPARD user nations’ configuration of their tanks.

The systems enable the crew to reconnoitre and to identify and tag targets at much greater distances and under limited visibility conditions. The commander can then pass this information on to the gunner and continue to acquire further targets. This way, target recognition can be separated from target engagement, optimising reactions as a result. In present-day mission scenarios, the emphasis lies on better quality images for a clearer situational picture, in order for armed forces to comply with the rules of engagement.

Employing about 800 staff at the German locations of Oberkochen and Wetzlar, and at Irene in South Africa, Cassidian Optronics GmbH develops and manufactures optical and optronic products which are used in military ground, sea and air systems, in border surveillance and security systems, in non-military high-tech systems and in the aerospace sector.

Cassidian Optronics combines the optical and optronic precision technology from Carl Zeiss Optronics with Cassidian’s know-how as a global market leader in defence and security technology.

Airbus Defence and Space is a division of Airbus Group formed by combining the business activities of Cassidian, Astrium and Airbus Military. The new division is Europe’s number one defence and space enterprise, the second largest space business worldwide and among the top ten global defence enterprises.