Barco has signed a long-term frame agreement with Rheinmetall Landsysteme, Kiel, Germany, to become the prime supplier of innovative display technology for the next 15 years.
The multi-million euro contract will allow Rheinmetall Landsysteme to integrate Barco’s state-of-the-art, custom-made display technology into their current and future vehicle programs. Under this agreement, Barco has received a first order to deliver small format displays for use aboard the Puma and Boxer armored vehicles. To date, more than 400 Pumas and up to 900 Boxers have been forecasted.
For these particular projects, Barco has developed dedicated custom-made versions of its field-proven 7” BARCO VECTOR DM 1118 and 12” BARCO VECTOR PM 1131 display systems. Barco’s advanced display solutions feature a powerful processing unit, based on the advanced Virtex architecture. It allows operators to perform real-time image scaling, graphics rendering and communication.
The compact, rugged displays are capable of showing both video and thermal images. Aboard the Boxer and Puma, they will be combined with a patented CAN-based (Controller Area Network) communication system, developed by Rheinmetall Landsysteme. All data of the PUMA coming from turret and chassis can be displayed with Barco devices.
Furthermore, the tailor-made displays are equipped with a unique, front-bonded optical stack, which offers excellent optical performance and optimum protection against extreme environmental conditions (temperature, shock, vibration, humidity, EMI, etc.).
The Puma, in which Barco’s displays will be integrated, is a first-in-class tracked armoured infantry fighting vehicle, commissioned by the German Army. The new Boxer is a state-of-the-art multi-role wheeled vehicle for the German and the Dutch armed forces.
KORTRIJK, BELGIUM, 13 September 2005