SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems, a company based in Edinburgh, Scotland, today (9 May 2007) awarded Denel Optronics a contract for maintenance and support of its KENIS Thermal Imaging camera on board Royal Air Force jet fighters.
The value of the contract for the core maintenance services amounts to R14.7 million over the next four years, while it is expected further R6.4 million could be added for fixed price camera repairs.
Denel Optronics developed the KENIS 384 T5 Thermal Imaging camera over the past five years for the United Kingdom’s TIALD 500 upgrade programme. The Royal Air Force (RAF) operates the TIALD or Thermal Imager for Airborne Laser Designator on several aircraft types, including Tornado, Jaguar and Harrier jet fighters. SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems, contracted to upgrade the TIALD 500 pod, in turn contracted Denel Optronics to develop and qualify the camera as well as to produce forty-nine (49) units. The final production units were completed by November 2006 in Denel’s Kempton Park production facility.
The infrared camera is one of the key subsystems in the pod carried by aircraft on their operating missions.
Unlike the existing TIALD system, Denel’s KENIS 384 T5 thermal imaging camera was developed to operate in the mid-infrared wavelength band.
“It was rather challenging to meet the specifications of the combined profile of three different aircraft types, as well as stringent environmental requirements,” explained Mr Theo Kleynhans, acting CEO of Denel Optronics. “Convincing the RAF pilots that this camera would stand up to the required performance against the previous camera that operated in the long infrared wavelength, was no easy task. They were comfortable with a system that operated well in the cold mission terrain of the northern hemisphere. Sheer performance of our camera not only convinced the pilots, but gave them a new capability to enhance their overall operational strategy.”
During the past 18 months the maintenance part of Denel Optronics’ relationship with SELEX had been worked out.
The contract was finalised following the logistic analyses of the maintenance concept and relevant statements of work. An excellent working relationship between Denel Optronics and Selex formed the basis for the negotiations that led to final contracting.
More on Denel Optronics:
German company Carl Zeiss Optronics GmbH signed an agreement with Denel on 14 March 2007 to acquire a majority stake in Denel Optronics as part of the Denel’s restructuring process.
In terms of an agreement signed with Denel on 14 March 207, Carl Zeiss Optronics is taking a 70% holding in Denel Optronics, while Denel retains the remaining 30%. The German company is a member of the Carl Zeiss Group, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-tech optical and opto-electronic industrial, medical and research solutions and lifestyle products.
Once all suspensive conditions have been met, notably also PFMA and South Africa’s competition authorities approval, the new optronics business, to be known as Carl Zeiss Optronics (Pty) Ltd., will compete on international markets for the design, manufacturing and support of optical and opto-electronic systems in the civil security and defence fields.
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