Eurosatory 2024: Thales showcases short-range air-defence command vehicle
The C2 vehicle is based on the URO VAMTAC, although the systems fitted onto the vehicle are platform-agnostic. (Janes/Christopher Petrov)
Thales has revealed a command-and-control (C2) vehicle for short-range air defence (SHORAD) at the Eurosatory 2024 defence exhibition held in Paris from 17 to 21 June.
The modified Spanish High Mobility Tactical Vehicle (VehĂculo de Alta Movilidad Táctico: VAMTAC) is equipped with a variety of sensors and functions as a communication node rather than an independent weapon system, according to a Thales representative responsible for the product line.
Externally, the vehicle has a range of sensors mounted on it. These include a short-range radio transceiver for communications with air-defence weapon systems, including manportable air-defence system squads and platform-mounted SHORAD systems. Thales states this wireless network has a range of up to 3 km in the field. The vehicle is also equipped with a satellite communications antenna that allows the vehicle to receive aerial target detection data from networked radar systems and allows the VAMTAC to send local aerial surveillance data to higher-echelon command structures. The vehicle uses Thales' ControlView C2 system.
On the roof of the VAMTAC is a 30 mm remotely operated weapon station (ROWS) that Thales said is supplied by Electro Optic Systems (EOS) of Australia and looks like EOS' Slinger counter-unmanned aerial vehicle turret, which integrates the 30Ă—113 mm Bushmaster M230LF cannon. Thales says that while the weapon system is integrated for defence against nearby aerial and ground targets, the vehicle itself is primarily a C2 rather than combat vehicle.
Go beyond the headlines - with direct links to interconnected entities
Get full access to validated equipment, military capabilities, and market insights.
