Monday, 12 September, 2011Rheinmetall Electro-Optics launched at...

Monday, 12 September, 2011

Rheinmetall Electro-Optics launched at DSEi


Germany?s Rheinmetall Defence has integrated all its electro-optic activities into a new company called Rheinmetall Electro-Optics, which is being launched at DSEi, writes Christopher F Foss.

This consists of the previously separate companies of Rheinmetall Nordic (Norway), Vingtech Corporation (USA), Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics (Germany), elements of Rheinmetall Defence Electronics (Germany) and Industrial Laser Electronics and Engineering (Switzerland).

Rheinmetall Electro-Optics aims to provide civilian, paramilitary and police forces with a wide range of electrooptical systems, which can range from individual weapon sights to fire control systems for crew-served weapons.

These fall into three main categories ? observation and fire control units, dismounted soldier and sensor products.

A typical product is the Vingmate advanced sight and fire control system (FCS) (seen here on a Heckler & Koch 40mm Grenade Machine Gun) of which more than 400 have now been sold with some of these already deployed to Afghanistan. This is integrated onto 40mm automatic grenade launcher to increase its first-round hit probability, especially when firing some of the more advanced natures of ammunition, such as air bursting munition, at extended ranges.

http://home.janes.com/events/exhibitions/dsei2011/sections/daily/day1/rheinmetall-electrooptics.shtml