Denel Land Systems has expanded the day and night fighting capabilities of its LCT20 turret`s capabilities by integrating an advanced electro-optical sighting package for both the Commander and Gunner, this turret can be integrated into a wide range of armoured fighting vehicles.

Steve Matthews, the System Engineer on LCT 20 Turret says the upgraded LCT20-Neo significantly enhances the sighting system capabilities while retaining the ruggedness and operator simplicity of the combat-proven LCT20 turret system.

DLS also offers an optional external Commander machine gun mount, fitted at the Commander hatch -- that is operated with the Commander standing out of the hatch -- providing additional fire power to the Co-axial machine gun fitted to the weapon cradle.

"No other changes are made to the LCT20 turret other than those required to fit the sighting systems and extra machine gun," says Steve Matthews. "No structural changes are made that affect the system safety or its reliability and the Direct Optical Gunner's sight can be retained as a back-up sight."

The sighting system upgrade consists of the following:

• - 3600 stabilised zoom-able electronic sight steered internally by the Commander and mounted to the turret roof.

• - Commander colour display user interface with the requisite mode selection controls on the screen.

• - Hand Controller.

• - The Gunner sight consists of three integral elements and is mounted to the elevation cradle directly above the centre line of the main weapon barrel.

• - A user interface on the Gunner Colour Display Panel with the requisite mode selection controls on the screen and incorporating the ballistic tables for the main and co-axial weapons. These range tables are selectable by the Gunner.

• - The gunner sight consists of the Laser Range Finder, Thermal Imaging Sight and an electronic zoom-able day camera. These functions are all selectable from the Gunner Display Panel.

The sighting system is operated in the following manner:

• - The Commander acquires the target and designates electronically this position to the Gunner display panel.

• - The Gunner display shows an arrow, indicating either left or right, pointing to the direction the Gunner must slew the turret.

• - When the turret is within 10mils of the Commander-designated point, a mil scale opens. The Gunner can then refine the engagement as well as selecting which sight is being used - either TIS or day-camera -- and the weapon type with the relevant range tables.

• - The Gunner's sight picture is transmitted back to the Commander as a sub-window to enable the Commander to confirm the target engagement.

• - All other turret controls remain unchanged on the LCT20 turret.

Denel
08.09.2011