Rheinmetall, the largest supplier of military vehicles to the Australian Defence Force is exhibiting the company’s portfolio of strength and capability for future land forces with combat, combat logistics and dismounted combat on display at Land Forces 2024, this week at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Nathan Poyner, Managing Director, Rheinmetall Defence Australia, said this year’s display was a digital capability showcase that included Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s Combat Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Subsystem (CISRS) software. 

“CISRS implements the digital backbone of the Boxer CRV fleet and follows a modular and open systems design pattern. CISRS currently hosts richly integrated software sourced from across Defence industry, other Land programs.”

“Rheinmetall’s Land Forces Display establishes our knowledge as a digitisation systems integrator through the dismounted and mounted Battle Management System (BMS) software to both Integrated Soldier Systems and the complex vehicle system of the Boxer CRV.” 

“This provides the user a seamless common operating picture through mounted and dismounted forces with the Crew Terminal graphical user interface, a Software Development Kit adaptable for any vehicle platform.”

“Communicating with the Boxer CRV via a simulated Tactical Communications Network is an Integrated Soldier System End User Device (Tactical Smart Phone) hosting the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) BMS.” 

“Our experience in developing both Soldier Systems and Complex Vehicle Systems architectures enables Rheinmetall to be the digitisation provider of choice for the German Army and Hungarian Defence Force.”

“Under the L400-2 program the CISRS software continues to be developed to expand its C4 capabilities to support a range of additional functions,” he added.

Mr Poyner said the display included:
The Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle:
Currently in service with the Australian Army, and on order from Australia for the German Defence Force, the CRV is equipped with a reconnaissance mission module including the two-person digital LANCE Turret; the first crewed medium-calibre turret to be put into service on the Boxer platform.  The highly protected vehicle includes stabilised digital optics with integrated laser rangefinder and fire control unit for commander and gunner. 

The vehicle protects against antitank weapons, medium-calibre ammunition, and artillery shrapnel.

A HX45 10×10 wheeled transporter track with crane 
•    High mobility and superior off-road performance
•    Purpose-designed tactical chassis with military cabin (interchangeability of protected and unprotected versions) 
•    Designed and tested for a life cycle of 20+ years
•    Battle proven military design with successful combat history
•    Sophisticated winch system to perform the most complex scenarios while maintaining the highest safety standards available on the market

Trailblazer
Trailblazer improves driver and crew effectiveness by extending the field of view beyond the daylight spectrum, even in adverse weather, obscured or low-light conditions. Featuring very low-latency front and rear video camera units, it aids the driver in terrain negotiation, obstacle avoidance and route selection. Independent wide-angle situational awareness channel outputs give crew and commander a powerful surveillance and threat detection capability. GVA compliant, native digital and analogue variants make Trailblazer easy to integrate.
•       Enhances operations in degraded visual environments 
•       Dual-band: high performance sensors and optics 
•       RFEL Video fusion technology maximizes DRI 
•       Conventional and/or networked video connectivity 
•       Driver and local situational awareness channels 
•       Extra-wide angle options 

1:1 models of the Oerlikon Revolver Gun and Oerlikon Skyranger 30
•    The Oerlikon Skyranger 30 is part of Rheinmetall’s family of Skyranger Air Defence system which offers mobile defence against all current and future battlefield air threats. The Skyranger combines superior firepower, active and passive sensors and the dynamics needed to engage the most demanding targets performing loiter, pop-up or dive attacks. 
•    The Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk 3 is a principal component of the Oerlikon Skynex Short Range Air Defence System. With its open and modular architecture, the Skynex Air Defence System sets new standards in terms of flexibility and expandability. The Oerlikon Skymaster® Battle Management System is the control node and centrepiece of the system.

Integrated Soldier Systems
•    Integrated Soldier System (ISS) capability delivers continued effectiveness and superior capabilities for the soldier on the ground. 
•    Rheinmetall provides the technological edge over adversaries with the supply of a world leading ISS. 
•    Rheinmetall assures global capability and decades of experience in delivering world-class Integrated Soldier Systems to design, support and sustain the Commonwealth’s Australian Integrated Soldier System Solution, 
•    Rheinmetall has delivered end-to-end ISS support to global customers since 2006, including managing the introduction of new technology through the German Bundeswehr Future Solider (IdZ-ES) program. 

Registered visitors to LAND FORCES 2024 can visit the Rheinmetall Defence Australia stand at E163.