Danish Forces Opt for Innovative Leonardo-Finmeccanica GVA System to Revolutionize Vehicle Missions

Rome, 7 September 2016 – Leonardo-Finmeccanica has formed a partnership with the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) to supply Vehicle Mission Systems for the ground vehicles of the Danish Army. This state-of-the-art Leonardo solution is crafted to completely comply with the latest Generic Vehicle Architecture (GVA) technology. The systems will be integrated into multiple platforms, such as the recently obtained Piranha V APC, new Armoured Patrol Vehicles, Wisent engineering vehicles, Leopard II MBTs, and CV90 IFVs. The first production order under this collaboration agreement is expected shortly.

Leonardo was selected as the top contender after two competitive field assessments and comprehensive evaluations of life-cycle costs and supportability. Modular mission systems will be tailored for each vehicle type and role, enabling DALO to choose the ideal combination of durable imaging sensors suited for the mission, offering up to complete 360° color and thermal imaging coverage, while benefiting from minimized maintenance costs and streamlined training found in modular systems with shared components.

The mission system proposed by Leonardo is based on the UK-led Generic Vehicle Architecture (GVA) standard, which is increasingly adopted by various allied countries. GVA symbolizes a framework for vehicle mission system design using standardized infrastructure and control interfaces, allowing for easier user training, simplifying vehicle system upgrades, and reducing ownership costs through specific mission configurations and life-cycle enhancements. The imagery captured by the mission system’s sensors is shown on GVA multifunctional digital displays, delivering low-latency digital video. Sensor visuals can be shared within the vehicle, with multiple images showcased on screens according to user preferences, providing optimal information tailored to operational requirements.

Thanks to the GVA design, additional mission systems like high-powered mast-mounted sensors for reconnaissance and local defense remote weapon stations can be effortlessly integrated and managed through the existing displays, maximizing space efficiency and minimizing costs associated with procurement, training, and logistics. Most mission systems will incorporate Leonardo’s Driver Night Vision System (DNVS4), which supplies both daylight color and thermal imagery, ensuring safe and confident operation for the vehicle’s driver and crew at all times, in any weather condition. Alongside DNVS4 and the display screens, Leonardo is also providing the Citadel Panoramic and Compact cameras through its collaboration with Copenhagen Sensor Technologies.

DNVS4 builds on Leonardo’s extensive proficiency in delivering situational awareness systems to the UK MOD on vehicles like Mastiff, Ridgback, Wolfhound, Challenger, and Warrior over the years. The company is also the favored partner for the Italian Ministry of Defence in battlefield digitization projects. A prime example is Forza NEC, which develops solutions to completely integrate the diverse elements of the Armed Forces—soldiers, vehicles, platforms, and systems—utilizing the most advanced information and communication technologies.