Rheinmetall UK has secured a contract to implement its Trailblazer Driver Vision and Local Situation Awareness System for the British Army’s M270 A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). The initial prototypes of this advanced system are anticipated to be ready by early 2026, with full-scale production scheduled to begin later that same year. This initiative comes with a contract valued in the mid-single-digit millions of euros.
Trailblazer is designed to significantly enhance the situational awareness of drivers and commanders by offering day, thermal, and fusion vision capabilities. This multi-faceted approach aids in crucial tasks such as terrain navigation, obstacle avoidance, route selection, and threat detection—especially in challenging conditions like low-light scenarios, obscured environments, or adverse weather situations.
The system has already gained traction in seven countries, demonstrating its effectiveness as a reliable vehicle vision solution across various combat platforms. Under this new contract, Rheinmetall UK will not only supply the driver vision sensors but will also provide remote side and rear sensors, installation kits, hardened cabling, switches, and protective covers.
Rheinmetall UK’s increasing influence in the UK military sector is evident in its role as a prominent provider of cutting-edge vehicle vision and situational awareness technologies tailored to the needs of the British Army. The upgrade of the M270 A2 MLRS marks a significant milestone as the 17th military platform to be enhanced by the Trailblazer system.
In addition to the M270 A2 upgrade, the company has previously integrated Trailblazer into vehicles such as the Challenger 3 main battle tank, thereby augmenting crew effectiveness in low-light and adverse weather conditions. Other platforms benefiting from this technology include the Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicle and the Warrior infantry fighting vehicle, which exemplify the standardization of vision capabilities across multiple military applications.
