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PUMA IFV and key visual of the control handle

Control handle for controlling primary vehicle functions

Man-machine interface

One handle for many functions

As an important interface between the soldier and the combat system, the control handle plays a central role in operating the more primary functions of the combat vehicle. Different designs are used to quickly switch, control, aim and trigger the armament systems of military land vehicles. For this purpose, the hand-held controllers meet the most stringent of requirements in terms of reliability, fail-safe design and operation for safety-critical functions, resistance to extreme environmental conditions and weapons, as well as user-friendly operation.The hand controllers even remain precisely manageable during extraordinary off-road travel.

Performance overview:

  • Designed and certified according to DIN EN IEC 61508
  • Highly fail-safe
  • Securing to prevent unintentional firing
  • Ergonomic handling
  • Integrated microprocessor-controlled processing unit
  • Precise control

Important standards and product characteristics

VG 95373
VG 96916
MIL-STD-810
DIN EN 60529
DIN EN IEC 61508
LEOPARD 2 shooting in the desert

The plus points

Optimum control over the weapon system

On-board voltage network

KNDS Deutschland Mission Electronics ensures smooth operation on the vehicle’s electrical system through the uniform application of VG96916, MIL-STD-1275 and ISO 16750-2. These standards guarantee that the control handle harmonises with the power supply system, does not negatively influence the system or take damage itself.

Qualification

The control handles keep out water and dust, withstand salt fog, hold up to fluctuating pressures and the extended temperature range, and reliably process data under heavy shocks and vibrations.

EMC

An aluminium housing and special design ensure EMC compatibility. KNDS Deutschland Mission Electronics applies various civil norms and standards as well as MIL-SPECS for this purpose.

Security

The control handles are subject to strict quality requirements to ensure compliance with certification according to DIN EN IEC 61508. Inputs from the switches are only executed when a separate system has determined that the display that led to the triggering event is correct.

Modularity

The control handle can be adapted to meet the customer’s requests and requirements in every respect, from the interfaces and memory to customer-specific functionalities.

Functions

Manual control handle systems implement the measures from the connected C4I systems. The gunner primarily switches, controls and aims the turret weapons of the vehicle using the handle system.

  • Interfaces
  • Security
  • Error detection
  • Controls

Interfaces

  • Adaptation to customer-specific interface protocols
  • Connection to the C4I system
  • Connection to the weapon system

Security

  • Safeguarding of information processing via mutually independent micro-controllers
  • DIN EN IEC 61508-certified
  • Compliance with the required safety integrity level

Error detection

An integrated test function detects faults in the hand controller circuits.

Controls

  • Digital or analogue (multi-position) toggle switches
  • Push buttons
  • Switch with snap function
  • Rotary switch
  • Trigger guard
  • Long service life of all control elements

Technical data

Interfaces

Serial interfaces

 

Serial bus

 

Customer-specific interfaces

 

Two-hand control handle
Two-hand control handle

Hardware variants

  • One-hand control handle
  • Two-hand control handle
  • Right control handle
  • Left control handle
  • Horizontal grip plate
  • Vertical grip plate