Rheinmetall Electronics UK contracted to provide Trailblazer vision system for British M270A2s

Rheinmetall Electronics UK has been awarded a contract by the NATO Support & Procurement Agency (NSPA) to provide the Trailblazer driver vision and local situation awareness system for the British Army’s M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), Rheinmetall announced on 10 December 2025.

The initial contract will see prototypes delivered in early 2026, with the main production starting later that year. The total contract value is in the mid-single-digit-million-euro range, according to Rheinmetall.

Part of a wider UK M270A2 upgrade programme, the Trailblazer system will deliver enhanced vision capabilities and thus aid vehicle manoeuvre in complex environments, day or night, for both driver and commander. The contract covers driver vision sensors, remote side and rear vision sensors, and the delivery of installation kits, including hardened cabling, switches and protective covers.

Trailblazer improves crew effectiveness by extending the vehicle field of view beyond the daylight spectrum. “With enhanced daylight, thermal and fusion vision, Trailblazer offers significant crew advantage in adverse weather, obscured and low-light conditions. Featuring very low latency, the systems aid terrain navigation, obstacle avoidance, safe route selection and enhanced threat detection. Compliance with Safety Integrity Level 2, (N)GVA and DEF STAN 00-82 video distribution means Trailblazer is safe to operate and easy to integrate,” Rheinmetall stated.

Trailblazer is already installed in the British Army’s Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicles, future Challenger 3 main battle tanks and Warrior infantry fighting vehicles, offering advantages of standardisation throughout the British combat vehicle fleet.

“This latest contract further solidifies Trailblazer as the driver vision system of choice for the British Army,” Rheinmetall Electronics UK Managing Director Richard Streeter was quoted as saying in a company press release. “That choice is built on our reputation for delivery of innovative and reliable technologies into the UK MoD. We are delighted to be able to upgrade the UK’s latest MLRS A2 platforms with the very best vehicle vision systems.”

The M270A2 MLRS will be the 17th military platform to use the Trailblazer, which was developed and manufactured in the UK. There are currently seven user countries.