Naval Technology

The military and technical demands made by the navies both on the abilities of the periscope itself and on its mast and peripheral systems are constantly increasing. The greater size of the periscope head due to the integration of TV and thermal imagery sensors means more strain on the equipment and a new technical challenge. Separate optronics masts with additional subsystems have revolutionised observation and recording possibilities but also considerably increased the complexity of system integration.

Up to and including the Class 212A submarines, GABLER Maschinenbau has produced 50 hoistable masts for periscopes for navies all over the world. Through constant dialogue with the customer and with the manufacturers of the periscopes and optronics systems, own long-term tests and rigorous quality control we have been able to develop an optimal solution that meets the current and future needs of the customer in every respect.

GABLER periscope masts and optronics masts are characterised by precise, easy movement at all speeds, almost completely free of vibration. They have been tested in long-term operations which have shown them to be very stable, while their clever form design and possible additional coating with radar-absorbing material makes them very difficult to detect.

While the basic product is standard, the individual customer’s specific requirements can naturally be taken into account.

Over the years, we have enjoyed very successful and mutually positive cooperation with Zeiss Optronik GmbH in developing periscope masts and optronics masts. However, GABLER Maschinenbau is equally capable of integrating the systems and equipment of other providers if the customer so desires. Contracts in the past involved the construction of hoistable masts for other well-known periscope manufacturers.