Thales in the UK, working with QinetiQ, has been selected by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to develop and demonstrate a concept for a next-generation electro-optic countermeasure under the UK's Next Generation Soft Kill (NGSK) programme.

The programme will explore how advanced electro-optic effects can contribute to future Active Protection Systems and enhance the survivability of armoured vehicles against evolving battlefield threats. Building on Thales's experience in threat warning sensors, defensive aids systems and electro-optic technologies, the project will investigate integrated solutions capable of countering incoming threats using advanced electro-optic countermeasures. The concept will be developed in alignment with the UK's Modular Integrated Protection System (MIPS) architecture, supporting open and scalable protection solutions for current and future land platforms. Several candidate designs will be evaluated during the programme, with one concept to be selected for prototype development and testing. As part of the contract QinetiQ will provide extensive experience of technology evaluation and assessment to ensure the capability is mission ready.

Through the NGSK programme, the Team aims to demonstrate how integrated sensing and electro-optic effectors can support future protection systems and strengthen sovereign capability in land platform survivability.

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