At the Avalon Air Show, the Australian Department of Defence launched Electro Optic Systems’ (EOS) T2000 turret for armoured vehicles. Defence Minister Christopher Pyne was present at the global launch of this turret that was developed in partnership with Elbit Systems of Israel.I guess we know what's going on the Boxer now don't we? Will it also be given to the Lynx? Curious. I thought Rheinmetall would be allowed to provide their own solution.
The new medium-calibre turret will be produced in Australia for both export and potential applications with the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
An EOS spokesperson told Shephard, ‘It is designed for global opportunities and is currently being bid into three opportunities, one of which is the Australian Land 400 Phase 3 programme. The Australian configuration is specifically optimised to meet the Land 400 Phase 3 requirement and delivering a low-risk, already integrated, high-technology turret.’
The T2000 can be armed with an M242 Bushmaster 25mm cannon, Mk44 Bushmaster II 30mm/40mm cannon or Bushmaster III 35mm/50mm cannon, all from Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems. Also possible is the Rheinmetall MK-30/2 30mm cannon. Up to 200 ready 30mm rounds are stored in the turret, and the main armament can elevate/depress from +60° to -10°.
Additionally, the turret has a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun (eg M240 or MAG 58 with the option of a MK52 Bushmaster 7.62mm chain gun from Northrop Grumman).
Two Rafael Spike LR2 anti-armour missiles under armour protection in a pop-up launcher are integral to the turret. Alternatively, the Javelin missile can be fitted.
An additional weapon (7.62mm to 30mm calibre) mounted in an EOS R400S Mk2 RWS can be installed atop the turret, with the R150 RWS available as an alternative. The RWS sensor unit serves as the vehicle commander’s panoramic sight. Such an RWS gives the turret a killer-killer capability, allowing two separate targets to be prosecuted simultaneously.
Armour protection options range from STANAG Level 2 through to 6. Depending on customer requirements, the turret has a combat weight of anywhere from 2t to 6t.
The turret has 76mm smoke grenades and it can also be equipped with the Iron Fist active protection system (APS) from IMI Systems of Israel.
Importantly, the T2000 can be ordered in either manned or unmanned configuration. The unmanned turret does not penetrate the hull of the host vehicle.
According to EOS, other situation awareness technologies in an integrated suite are Elbit’s IronVision see-through armour, a laser warning system and 360° radar.
Another feature is a management port that allows a UAV to be deployed and flown. A counter-UAV system can also be installed, which utilises the Iron Fist APS radar. A radio frequency UAV soft-kill capability can be fielded too.
Also present is ‘embedded training and crew procedural simulation’. In terms of sensors, software and human-machine interfaces, there is commonality with existing EOS RWS products, thus reducing the training burden.
At the launch, Pyne commented, ‘This latest development and successful collaboration is an example of Australia’s growing defence industry capabilities. EOS is a fantastic Australian success story, producing advanced remote weapons systems and sensors for export and use by the ADF and our friends and allies.’
Ben Greene, the group CEO of EOS, said, ‘The T2000 has been designed from the ground up as a new platform for supporting a wide range of emerging surveillance, protection and lethality solutions from multiple vendors in a fully integrated environment. The turret uses an industry standard vehicle interface and represents the next generation of capability integration.’
He added, ‘EOS will compete with this turret for the requirements of Australia’s allies and partners globally, and over A$1 billion [$700 million] of competitive offers have already been submitted in early 2019 for award from 2020.’
The turret will be initially produced in Canberra, with production commencing in late 2019. EOS is currently assessing the location for the new turret construction plant, with options including South Australia and Queensland.
Or am I reading the whole "developed in partnership" wrong?
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