India’s state-run Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is equipping the Indian Army’s new Arjun MK- 1A main battle tank (MBT) with an electro-optical (EO) fire-control system. BEL is partnered with Tonbo Imaging to meet BEL’s demand for fire-control systems. Hence, BEL awarded us a contract to manufacture and deliver the electro-optical fire-control system for Arjun Mk 1A. Tonbo Imaging will deliver the Elpeos for remote-controlled weapon stations (RCWSs). The defense news and analysis company Janes reported that that the new tank’s sensor suite includes an advanced microprocessor-based” fire-control system, a gunner’s MK-II independent two axis-stabilised day/night sighting system, and a commander’s MK-II independent two axis-stabilised day/night sighting system with a panoramic observation unit and ‘hunter-killer’ working mode.
Elpeos is a multi sensor electro-optical payload designed for easy integration in remote controlled weapon stations and long range surveillance and reconnaissance. It features a high resolution cooled MWIR imager, a color CCD camera, and a Laser Range Finder and an integrated ballistic computer. It optionally can include a GPS and a Digital Magnetic Compass with inclinometer for target acquisition and geo referencing. IR and Day imagers are with continuous optical zoom optics and are optically, mechanically and digitally aligned to high precision for demanding applications. The sensors also have preset matched FOVs through out the zoom range increasing situational awareness. Designed to survive shock of upto 0.50caliber (12.7mm) weapons and qualified as per MIL-STD-810G / 461F. It has been field tested on 12.7mm land and naval stabilised remote controlled weapon station (SRCG).
The Arjun is a third generation main battle tank developed by the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), for the Indian Army. The tank is named after Arjuna, the archer prince who is the main protagonist of the Indian epic poem Mahabharata. Design work began in 1986 and was finished in 1996. The Arjun main battle tank entered service with the Indian Army in 2004. The Arjun features a 120 mm rifled main gun with indigenously developed armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding-sabot ammunition, one PKT 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and a NSVT 12.7 mm machine gun. Powered by a single MTU multi-fuel diesel engine rated at 1,400 hp, it can achieve a maximum speed of 70 km/h (43 mph) and a cross-country speed of 40 km/h (25 mph). It has a four-man crew: commander, gunner, loader and driver.
Arjun MK1A (previously designated as MK2) is a new variant of Arjun tank designed to enhance firepower, mobility and survivability. It has a completely redesigned turret protected with improved Kanchan armour and ERA. Other major improvements include the addition of NERA for protection, integration of the gun-launched SAMHO ATGM, integration of the gunner’s main sight with the automatic target tracking system, integration of the commander’s panoramic sight (CPS MK-II) with the laser rangefinder and dual magnification day sight, the addition of an uncooled thermal sight interfaced with the FCS for hunter-killer capability, the addition of an uncooled sight system with binocular vision for the driver, a remote controlled weapon station, a track width mine plough, a containerized ammunition bin with individual shutter (CABIS) for crew safety, an advanced land navigation system, a new auxiliary power unit with double power generation capacity, and a redesigned hydropneumatic suspension system with new advanced running gear system (ARGS) to enhance agility.
