Thales optronics for Australian indirect fire support program

Thales Australia has signed a contract with prime contractor Rockwell Collins Australia to deliver its market-leading optronics systems as part of a Department of Defence indirect fire support upgrade program.

A significant number of Sophie MF long range multi-function binoculars / thermal imagers and TYR laser target designators will be provided as part of the LAND 17 1B program for a Digital Terminal Control System to improve coordination and terminal control of air, naval and land fire support.

The Thales optronics sensors will be seamlessly integrated into Rockwell Collins’ Firestorm joint fires targeting system to provide a complete turnkey solution.

Thales Australia CEO Chris Jenkins said: "We have worked very closely with Rockwell Collins Australia to provide an advanced solution that will help the Australian Defence Force enhance its offensive support systems to provide greater tactical flexibility and precision targeting capability. The Sophie family of thermal imagers is used around the world, and we have recently upgraded our optronics facilities in Australia to offer an extensive and responsive local support capability for both thermal and laser equipment.”

A world leader in the design and manufacture of thermal imagers, Thales’s Sophie family of both cooled and uncooled products meets the full spectrum of observation, surveillance, orientation and fire-control requirements of today’s defence and security forces. Non-detectable due to their passive infrared operation, Sophie systems can be used day and night and under all weather conditions. Since their introduction, over 10,000 Sophie units have been sold to more than 45 countries. There are currently around 300 Sophie units already in service with the Australian Defence Force, as well as a quantity of TYRs.

The Sophie MF is a complete acquisition, identification and location system that weighs less than 3kg. It can be used day or night, with a high resolution stabilised image, plus an eye-safe laser rangefinder, GPS and direction finder.

The TYR is a state of the art compact laser target designator that can operate in standalone applications, with forward observation sensor equipment, dismounted soldiers or vehicle-mounted platforms. The TYR designates targets and provides both accurate range data and images of the laser spot on the target to allow laser-guided munitions to be accurately deployed.