The Protected Recce Vehicle (PRV) contract for delivery of a tactical reconnaissance capability integrated with KMW Dingo 2 vehicles for the Luxembourg Army.

The Luxembourg Ministry of Defence mandated the NATO Maintenance & Supply Agency (NAMSA) to conduct the competitive procurement procedure for this programme. Prime contractor responsibility was awarded to Thales. The company will deliver 48 vehicles by the end of 2010.

The PRV contract will provide the Luxembourg military with a tactical reconnaissance capability that is particularly well suited to allied operations. Key requirements include the interoperability of the solution under development, combined with mobility, protection and observation capabilities.

Thales drew on its high-level expertise in complex systems for land forces and key references in vehicle systems to propose an integrated and scalable solution that meets the stringent operational performance criteria of the Luxembourg Army. The company's know-how in interoperability and proven ability to manage programmes to short deadlines were also decisive factors in the final selection.

The vehicles will be equipped with:

A protection system based on the Protector remote-operated turret from Kongsberg, combined with laser detection systems and smoke grenade launchers.

A complete observation system, including a long-range system integrated with a telescopic mast (already selected by France and Belgium), guaranteeing protection, discretion and rapid deployment thanks to all-weather optronic sensors and an off-vehicle surveillance system with Sophie MF handheld thermal cameras

A C4I system based on proven HF/VHF communication equipment (PR4G, TRC 3700 HF) and a tactical situation awareness system (T-BMS) to allow vehicle integration with an interoperable reconnaissance unit.

These subsystems will be interconnected via an innovative open electronic architecture called the Open Information Communication System, designed to optimise integration and enable information exchange both within vehicles and externally. This innovative architecture reduces integration risks, speeds up the tempo of operations, manages all platform systems in real time and allows optimised support services.

Sergyi Way
13.03.2008

www.army-guide.com