Photonis selected for UK MoD contract

Exosens’ subsidiary Photonis wins key role in UK MoD’s Talon fused weapon sight contract

PRESS RELEASE
MÉRIGNAC, FRANCE – 11TH OCTOBER 2024

Photonis and Qioptiq join forces to enhance British Army’s combat capabilities with cutting-edge imaging technology

This 7-year framework contract aims at equipping British soldiers with Qioptiq's advanced TALON Fused Weapon Sights

Photonis, an Exosens subsidiary and global leader in image intensification technology, has been awarded a significant role in a seven-year contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) in collaboration with Qioptiq Limited. This contract is aimed at enhancing the operational effectiveness of British Army assault rifles.

Awarded by the Dismounted Close Combat project team, the contract focuses on the continued procurement of the TALON Fused Weapon Sight, an advanced system that integrates image intensification with thermal imaging (see picture below). Photonis will supply the high-performance 4G 16mm image intensifier tubes for the TALON systems, contributing to the overall performance and reliability of these critical combat devices.

The TALON Fused Weapon Sight is an integral part of the UK MoD’s Assault Rifle In-Line Low Light Sight (ARILLS) capability. It is designed to provide British soldiers with superior visibility and situational awareness in low-light environments and difficult operational settings.

“Photonis is proud to be part of this strategic initiative to enhance the British Army’s combat effectiveness,” said Frédéric Guilhem, Chief Commercial Officer from Photonis. “Our world-class image intensification technology will ensure that British forces are equipped with the best possible technology for success in critical operations.”

Qioptiq Limited, a leader in advanced optical and sighting systems, is responsible for delivering the TALON Fused Weapon Sight. With its dual-channel capability, which seamlessly combines image intensification and thermal imaging, the TALON system ensures interoperability with the existing fleet, continuing to play a vital role in the Army’s close combat operations.

At the heart of this system is the Photonis high-performance 4G 16mm image intensifier tube, renowned for its unmatched resolution and SWaP reduction (Size Weight and Power). This advanced intensifier tube allows soldiers to detect and identify targets with superior clarity, even in the darkest and most adverse nights. The compact 16mm format offers significant weight and space savings without compromising performance, ensuring enhanced mobility and operational efficiency for the user.

This contract underscores Photonis' commitment to delivering innovative imaging solutions tailored to the needs of modern defense forces. As part of Exosens Group, Photonis continues to be at the forefront of technological advancements, offering unrivaled expertise in image intensification for military applications.

TALON Fused Weapon Sight - Image Intensifier / Thermal Imager from Excelitas (Qioptiq) © Credit Excelitas technologies

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ABOUT PHOTONIS

Photonis is a leading product brand of Exosens, a high-tech company with more than 85 years of experience in the innovation, development, manufacture and sale of high-end electro-optical technologies. Photonis offers its customers photo-detection and low light conditions imaging solutions for extremely demanding environments such as Defense & Security, Nuclear Safety, Life Science and Industrial & Non-Destructive testing. Photonis is internationally recognized as a leading brand and a major innovator in its fields with production and R&D sites in Europe and North America.

ABOUT EXOSENS

Exosens is a high‐tech company, with more than 85 years of experience in the innovation, development, manufacturing and sale of high‐end electro‐optical technologies in the field of amplification, detection and imaging. Today, it offers its customers detection components and solutions such as travelling wave tubes, advanced cameras, neutron & gamma detectors, instrument detectors and light intensifier tubes. This allows Exosens to respond to complex issues in extremely demanding environments by offering tailor‐made solutions to its customers. Thanks to its sustained investments, Exosens is internationally recognized as a major innovator in optoelectronics, with production and R&D carried out on 11 sites, in Europe and North America and with over 1,700 employees.

Exosens is listed on compartment A of the regulated market (of Euronext Paris Ticker: EXENS – ) ISIN: FR001400Q9V2 and is a member of Euronext Tech Leaders segment.

Forward-looking statements

Certain information included in this press release are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs, expectations and assumptions, including, without limitation, assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which Exosens operates, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the forward-looking statements included in this press release.

Media contacts for Exosens

Brunswick group – exosens@brunswickgroup.com

Laetitia Quignon + 33 6 83 17 89 13

Nicolas Buffenoir + 33 6 31 89 36 78

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