Sensors and situational awareness
The Jaguar's attributes, which are its greatest strength, are discreet. Behind the armour, some twenty sensors serve as the crew's eyes and ears.[11][4] The data collected by the optics, cameras and other electronic devices and systems are fed into the SCORPION bubble via the SICS (Système d'Information du Combat de SCORPION; English: SCORPION Combat Information System) developed by Atos-Bull and the CONTACT (COmmunications Numériques TACtiques et de Théâtre; English: Tactical and theater digital communications) developed by Thales. The former is a combat cloud (the unified combat information network) and the latter, a software defined radio system; they feature on all SCORPION vehicles. The SICS interconnects all the players in a combined arms battle group, while the CONTACT provides communication capabilities between the vehicles, with simultaneous and real time voice and data transmission.[4] Meanwhile, the Thales-developed TopAxyz inertial measurement unit provides accurate localization and pointing information and autonomous navigation capabilities to the vehicle, including in GNSS-denied environments.[24] One of the Jaguar 's added value features is its vetronics, i.e. the architecture of its on-board electronic systems. Also developed by Thales, the architecture is common to all SCORPION vehicles. It requires compact yet powerful computers and links all navigation, protection, observation and communication systems. It manages and merges all data within the vehicle.[25] The SCORPION Common Vetronics ensure the processing and exchange of intra- and inter-vehicle data, enabling collaborative combat.[25] In addition, vetronics play a decisive role in vehicle protection, thanks in particular to algorithms that offer the crew several options for dealing with a threat, allowing them to opt for the one they deem the most adequate for the situation.[25]
Observation and tracking are provided by Safran's PASEO all-digital optically stabilized panoramic sighting and fire-control system, which has, otherwise, only been selected to equip much heavier vehicles than the Jaguar such as the M10 Booker and especially the Leclerc XLR and AbramsX main battle tanks.[26][27] This high-performance electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) system is a long-range observation and firing sight. On the Jaguar, it is duplicated for the gunner (PASEO-T, located on the left side of the turret and aligned with the 40 mm autocannon) and vehicle commander (PASEO-C, fitted on the remote controlled weapon station).[18] While the gunner scans the surrounding area with his system, which has the effect of rotating the turret, the commander can independently monitor another axis with his own. This, for example, enables the commander to go off in search of the next targets to neutralize, while the gunner deals with targets already designated. And if the former should spot an aggressive target deemed to be a priority, he can at any moment, at the touch of a button, execute a "rally"; the turret is then automatically and promptly aimed at this target. All that's left to do is to fire.[23] Suited to 30 to 125 mm caliber guns and integrating anti-tank missile guidance, the PASEO provides detection, identification, targeting and firing capabilities to the Jaguar and enables the crew to engage both static and moving targets with the vehicle's full range of weapons, day and night.
The Jaguar is also equipped with the ANTARES optronics system, developed by Thales, for close situational awareness and which also doubles as a laser warning receiver. Two sets are mounted on the turret (one, front right and the other, rear left) to provide all-round coverage.[29] The system complements the PASEO and enables a vision of the area to be reconstituted on the crew's screens.[18] The ANTARES combines precise laser warning and local situational awareness capabilities in a single electro-optical head. The module provides a 360° azimuthal field of view, day and night, and elevation coverage from -15° to +75°, which also makes it possible to spot snipers on rooftops.[30][31] With a resolution of 5 million pixels, it provides colour video for daytime operations and black-and-white video for night-time operations. In daylight, the system can see an armoured vehicle at a distance of 500 m or a small drone at a distance of 250 m, and detect a human being up to 150 m away. Thanks to its built-in laser warning system, the ANTARES also issues an alert if the vehicle is targeted by a laser rangefinder or designator. It can locate laser threats to within 1.5 degrees as well as detect the launch of an incoming missile, allowing the crew to react as it sees fit.[30][31]
Inside the vehicle, the commander's station is located on the right side of the turret. He has seven episcopes granting him a 360° view of the outside and two touch screens. The first screen is a multi-function display that enables the overall command of the vehicle. For example, it allows him to manage the sensors and visualize the various types of data they're gathering; lays out vehicle, armament and ammunition status and parameters; and more. It also notably features the menu for the remote-controlled machine gun as well, which the commander is expected to operate if needed. The second screen represents the SICS and is dedicated to information sharing with other SCORPION vehicles. Other tools at his disposal inside for his mission include the ocular lens linked to his backup sight, a general-purpose safety control panel (essentially a set of controls with backlit buttons) and firing authorization rockers to allow the gunner to engage targets. Meanwhile, the gunner, who sits on the left, has two episcopes granting him visibility outside.[29][18][22] His station features a weapon safety control panel as well as his multi-function display that enables him to visualize data provided by the sensors such as video images of targets to engage, to select how to engage them (e.g. 5-shot burst, 3-shot burst, single shot...), the ammunition to use, etc. Finally, the ocular lens linked to his backup sight and a control unit (halfway between an airplane stick and a video game console's joystick) are located in front of his seat (at eye level and near his legs respectively). The control unit enables him to swiftly steer the turret (60° per second) and operate the weapons (i.e. the 40 mm autocannon and the missiles). The commander's station is also equipped with one. Both the gunner and commander's helmets are fitted with a microphone and earpieces to reduce ambient noise and facilitate internal communication via the Elips'.
The driver, located at the front centre of the hull, is alone in his compartment ahead of the other two crew members but remains in constant contact with them via the radio integrated into his helmet. He pilots the vehicle from his electrically adjustable seat using a steering wheel placed in the centre of a three-part dashboard with screens; two on the left and one on the right.[22] The latter displays all mobility parameters, while the two touch screens on the left are dedicated to driver's display, providing access to functions such as the rearview camera, navigation, air conditioning, the diagnostics system for mechanical or electronic alerts in case of issues with the vehicle and lighting parameters to remain discreet during night-time maneuvers. Now also granted the ability to observe, his field of view is provided from a closed hatch via panoramic vision blocks (essentially, an armoured motorized hinged flap sheltering him and fitted with three episcopes, which generate visibility through an interplay of mirrors).[23] The central episcope (the biggest) can fuse in the images provided by the optronics system dedicated to the driver. This system, which consists of a thermal sensor and a light intensification one, is integrated on the left of the flap that covers his compartment (and located just below the gunner's optical channel), and notably enables night driving. But the driver nonetheless retains the ability to drive with his head outside if he wishes.[29][27][18]
Precision and detection distance have thus been vastly improved over the AMX-10 RC, with the proximal cameras, high-quality optics and the addition of the thermal channel, plus the set of episcopes, five of which are augmented reality.[4] The decision-making loop is reduced thanks to the latter. Some of the data collected by the sensors and processed by the combat information system are projected directly onto the episcopes, enabling the crew to stay one step ahead in their understanding of the tactical situation and accelerate the sequencing of an action.[34] By virtue of the SICS and the information sharing it induces, target designation by a friendly vehicle or air asset, for example, will be displayed on three augmented reality episcopes for the vehicle commander, one for the gunner and one for the driver.[34]
Beyond countermeasures such as the aforementioned laser alert detector, missile launch detector and gunfire locator, the Jaguar also integrates, for example, an infrared jammer as well as an anti-IED jamming sensor despite coming with STANAG 4569 Level 4 armour as standard.[18] The ECLIPSE, a smart software defined jammer developed by Thales, provides electronic protection against IED/RCIED threats. It instantly detects and responds to the triggering of improvised explosive devices by jamming radio remote control signals across a wide range of frequencies without interfering with the radio communication systems used by friendly forces.[18] The Jaguar is also fitted with the GALIX countermeasure system developed and manufactured by Lacroix Defense, in collaboration with Nexter. The system consists of 14 80 mm smoke grenade dispensers linked to the turret-mounted ANTARES laser warning system. It operates alongside the missile launch detector, the PILAR V, the ECLIPSE and the infrared jammer.[22] 4 grenades are mounted at the front of the turret on each side, with 3 embedded into the armour at the rear of the hull at both ends as well.[21] The GALIX is a self-protection system that makes vehicle protection more reliable through an automatic detection action, which drastically reduces protection engagement time by automating the decision phase. When a shot is detected within a 5 km radius, the sensors transfer threat and angle-of-attack data to the vehicle's fire-control system. In response, the GALIX will launch multispectral countermeasures in less than a second, capable of disrupting the opposing gunner.[35]
The Jaguar is also designed to simplify maintenance. The vehicles are fitted with sensors on key components, such as suspension, brake pads and gearboxes, enabling predictive maintenance.[4][39] The principle is to deploy Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) on these key functions to generate continuous data on vehicle activity.[4] This data is stored and analyzed to determine remaining potential, anticipate breakdowns and program interventions at the right moment. This method, one of several being explored as part of the MCO-T 2025 plan, is intended to help streamline support operations and improve vehicle availability. HUMS sensors can, for example, take the form of a dynamic engine oil quality control system. This control tool will allow oil changes to be carried out when necessary, rather than systematically after a set number of kilometers.[39] The adoption of predictive maintenance, agreed in a rider to the SCORPION contract, meant developing the software layer needed to coordinate sensors and analyze data. SCORPION vehicles are the first in the French military designed to be equipped with HUMS sensors; adding this capability is therefore not a complex operation.[39] The maneuver is also closely linked to the SERUM (Système d'Entretien et de Réparation Unique du Maintenancier; English
For the rest, the Jaguar works as a kit. A total of fifteen different kits are available, including a winch system and additional sensors.[18]
