Haifa, Israel: Israeli company Elbit Systems was awarded two contracts, in an aggregate amount valued at $240 million, to upgrade Main Battle Tanks (MBT) for an international customer. A $60 million contract will be delivered over a period of two years and a $180 million contract will be delivered over a period of four years.
Under the contracts, Elbit Systems will perform an upgrade of the MBTs and provide advanced electronics suites.
Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, President and CEO of Elbit Systems, commented: “There is a renewed interest from militaries looking to improve the operational capabilities of their armoured platforms. I believe that Elbit Systems is uniquely positioned to address the growing demand in this market due to our ability to provide comprehensive solutions.”
The Israeli company has developed many systems that upgrade the capabilities of MBT’s. These include a See-through-Armour (STA)- a revolutionary, panoramic observation system, enabling operators to understand and experience their environment from a single image. Using algorithms that electronically join imagery collected by video cameras installed around the vehicle, the STA provides a seamless 360-degree real-time panoramic view.
Elbit Systems’ also developed “head-up, eyes-out” aerial technology to the closed hatched armoured vehicle environment, IronVision generates an image that enables the crew to “see through” armoured shields, helping them overcome inherent visibility limitations, while improving mission efficiency and safety. Real-time, zero latency, high-resolution video is transmitted to the Helmet-Mounted Displays (HMD), providing the crew with a natural, conformal view of the vehicle surroundings. In addition, Elbit Systems offers Comprehensive Protection for Fighting Vehicles with 360-degree coverage that supports effective and timely responses to laser and radar-guided threats.
Another systems is the Laser Warning System (E-LAWS) and Threat Detection System (TDS) that accurately detect, categorize and pinpoint laser sources such as rangefinders, designators, beam riders, infrared illuminators and trainers. In addition to laser sources, the Multi-Threat Detection System (MTDS) detects, categorizes and pinpoints radar/RF sources. These systems offer an accurate angle of arrival (AoA), high-detection probability and low false-alarm rate.
Elbit’s sophisticated suite of fully integrated Fire Control Systems (FCS) offer unparalleled performance in battlefield conditions, featuring long-range, day and night, on-the-move high first-round hit probability against moving targets. Reliable, cost-effective and easily configurable to a wide variety of AFVs and MBTs, the systems range from simplified FCS for one-man light turrets to high-performance hunter-killer FCS for front-line MBTs.
The Israeli company also offers the Electric Gun and Turret Drive System (EGTDS) that significantly enhances turret stabilization and firing on-the-move. The system provides smooth target tracking at high-speeds and in all firing positions, even for heavy guns and turrets. In addition, the system improves safety by eliminating the need for the highly flammable hydraulic fluid used in conventional systems. The Driver Thermal Vision System comprises a thermal imaging camera based on an uncooled detector and a ruggedized LCD display installed inside the vehicle.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
