Article Posted on : - Feb 22, 2011

Wasp turrets will be used on the French army’s PVP and VBL light armored vehicles. Photo: DGA

PARIS (BNS): The French defence procurement agency DGA has ordered 100 Wasp turrets from Panhard and Sagem, under operational emergency acquisition procedure.

The Wasp turrets will be used on the French army’s Petit Véhicule Protégé (small protected vehicle, or PVP) and Vehicle Blinde Leger (light armoured vehicle, or VBL).

Wasp (Weapon under Armor for Self-Protection) is a light turret that is remotely-controlled from inside the vehicle, and it is jointly developed by Panhard and Sagem.

It is fitted with a MAG 58 7.62 mm machine gun, coupled to a day/infrared sight and observation scope derived from the FELIN soldier modernisation programme, for day or night operation.

Incorporating lessons from previous deployments, the Wasp turret significantly enhances self-protection for soldiers, while enabling quicker responsiveness under armour.

Light and compact, the Wasp also features a small visual signature. Because of the weapon’s wide range of elevation/depression (-40°/+80°), it is ideally suited to combat in urban or mountain environments.

It is also designed to subsequently add a fusion function for the daytime and thermal channels, providing the daytime ability to “see through” camouflage.