The view through a thermal imager fitted on a Leopard tank. Image provided by DMO

Seeing the kill

By Capt Iain Watt
AUSTRALIA’S Leopard moved a step closer to a contemporary night fighting capability following a successful prototype demonstration conducted in Bandiana on February 10 and 11.

The prototype demonstration proved the physical and electronic integration of a Thales Optronics Catherine FC thermal imager and the tank’s existing fire control system.

CO 1 Armd Regt, Lt-Col Damian Cantwell said the Leopard Tank Thermal Sight (LTTS) represented a significant enhancement to the ability of the Leopard to detect, identify and engage targets.

“This enhancement will put the Leopard on par with the rest of 1 Bde and the wider Army in night fighting capability,” he said.

The test programme was followed by a demonstration of the equipment to a small number of personnel from 1 Armd Regt and the School of Armour.

LTTS will provide the Army’s fleet of Leopards with the ability to detect and engage targets at night; through dust, smoke and fog; while substantially enhancing the daytime capabilities of the vehicle.

Pre-production units will be delivered in July 2003 for trial, with deliveries of production units to commence in early 2004.

“LTTS will further enhance the capacity of the tank to save the lives of infantry soldiers by reducing their exposure to enemy close and medium weapons systems.

“Tanks save lives, and this makes them all the more effective.”

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