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 (Vehículo 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 30×113 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.
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