Island MP Bob Seely is urging Government to ensure cutting-edge technology developed on the Isle of Wight features in the British Army’s new Challenger 3 tank.
The TRAILBLAZER driver vision aid developed by Newport-based RFEL Ltd improves driver and crew effectiveness by extending visibility beyond the normal daylight spectrum, overcoming adverse weather and low-light conditions using enhanced thermal imagery.
The equipment is already used successfully in other British Army vehicles and by the Royal Netherlands Army and Mr Seely wants the equipment included in the new upgraded Challenger 3.
He has written to the Minister for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin, urging him to ensure the new tanks benefit from ‘safe UK-designed, sourced and manufactured equipment’.
Mr Seely said: “RFEL is a world-leader in signal and video processing and through many years of self-investment, they have brought several excellent products to market.
“As a company they are growing rapidly and impressively have increased their workforce by 50% during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing more skilled employment on the Island. Importantly, they are utilising the local available workforce to achieve this growth.”
He added: “RFEL is another of those Island companies that is brimming with expertise and innovation and is leading the way on the international stage. I am very pleased to be recommending TRAILBLAZER to the Government and hope this Island-developed technology will be ensuring our armed services continue to benefit from the very best technology.”
