Control and Position Sensing Solutions for Military and Defence Applications

Military vehicles, vessels, unmanned systems, and radar and surveillance platforms place high demands on operator controls, motion control, and position feedback. Movements must be executed precisely, positions must be measured reliably, and various functions must remain safe and easy to operate, even under demanding environmental conditions.

Our portfolio includes robust industrial and miniature joysticks, marine joysticks, rotary position sensors, and linear position sensors. Typical applications include ground control stations for unmanned systems, special-purpose military vehicles, marine control systems, radar and antenna systems, and hydraulic positioning mechanisms.

In addition to standard products, we offer customised control and position sensing solutions tailored to specific application requirements. Options include mechanical design, control functions, sensor technology, electrical interfaces, and redundant output signals.

Customisable

Grips, switches, sensors, interfaces and output signals can be tailored to your application requirements.
Robust & Reliable

Control and position sensing solutions designed for demanding mobile and marine environments.
Precise Control & Position Feedback

Joysticks for precise motion control and position sensors for reliable feedback to the control system.
ATEX & IECEx Certified

Selected products are ATEX and IECEx certified for safe operation in potentially explosive atmospheres.

Precise Control and Reliable Position Feedback

In many military applications, manual control and automatic position monitoring work closely together. Joysticks transmit operator commands to the control system, while rotary and linear position sensors measure the actual position of moving components and provide feedback to the controller.

This combination enables precise control and monitoring of mechanical movements. Depending on the application, various sensor technologies are available, including contactless, low-wear measurement principles and robust designs for demanding operating conditions.

Get Expert Advice

Our specialists help you select and customise joysticks and position sensors to meet your technical and operational requirements.

Robert van der Elst

Technical Sales

sales@althen.nl +31 (0)70 3 92 44 21

Joysticks for Military Applications

Controls for Unmanned Military Systems

Unmanned aerial, ground and marine systems are often operated from mobile ground control stations or remote control units. Miniature and thumb joysticks enable precise control of vehicle and aircraft movements, as well as cameras, sensors and other moving components.

Their compact design makes them particularly suitable for space-constrained control panels and applications requiring precise, simultaneous control of multiple functions.

Controls for Unmanned Military Systems

Control Systems for Military Vessels and Marine Applications

On military vessels and specialised marine platforms, joysticks provide manual control of various movement and onboard systems. Marine joysticks can be used for manoeuvring and positioning systems, thrusters, winches, cranes and other moving deck equipment.

They allow operators to precisely control movement direction and speed while managing multiple functions from a single control handle.

Marine Joysticks

Control Systems for Mobile Military Applications

In special-purpose military vehicles, joysticks are used to control hydraulic and electromechanical functions, including booms, grippers, lifting systems, positioning mechanisms and other working equipment.

Multi operational cobra joysticks allow operators to control multiple directions of movement and additional functions from a single control handle, making them particularly suitable for complex operating and handling systems.

Multi-operational cobra joysticks

Rotary Position Sensors for Military Applications

Tanks and Special-Purpose Military Vehicles

In tanks and special-purpose military vehicles, the angular positions of moving equipment and attachments must be monitored reliably. RVDT rotary position sensors (Althen Sensors) can measure the angular position of dozer blades, booms and other pivoting components and transmit this information to the vehicle's control system.

This enables precise monitoring of equipment movements and reliable positioning of movable components.

Linear & rotary position sensors

Moving Vehicle Components

In military vehicles, the angular positions of steering and suspension components, hatches, ramps and hydraulically operated mechanisms must be monitored reliably. Rotary magnetic Hall effect sensors provide contactless measurement of rotational or pivoting positions and transmit position feedback to the vehicle's control system.

This allows movements to be monitored, components to be moved to predefined positions and the position of moving vehicle parts to be controlled.

Hall-Sensors

Rotary Position Feedback for Radar and Antenna Systems

Radar, communication and sensor systems often feature rotating or pivoting antennas and sensor platforms. Rotary encoders measure rotational movement and provide the control system with information on changes in angular position, direction of rotation and rotational speed.

They are particularly suitable for monitoring and controlling continuous rotation and positioning movements in antenna, radar and sensor systems.

Linear position sensors

Linear Position Sensors for Military Applications

Unmanned Ground, Aerial and Marine Systems

In unmanned ground, aerial and marine systems, even small linear movements must be monitored reliably. Linear magnetic Hall effect sensors can measure the position of actuators, locking mechanisms, adjustment systems and extendable sensor assemblies.

They provide direct position feedback to the control system, indicating whether a component is retracted, extended or at a specific intermediate position.

Hall-Sensoren

Stroke Measurement in Hydraulic Marine Systems

In hydraulically operated systems on military vessels, linear stroke movements must be monitored reliably. Magnetostrictive position sensors can measure the piston position in hydraulic cylinders used for ramps, lifting and positioning mechanisms, stabilisation systems and handling equipment.

This provides the control system with continuous feedback on the current stroke position, enabling precise monitoring and control of movements and end positions.

Magnetostrictive linear position sensors

Linear Position Monitoring for Radar and Antenna Systems

Mobile radar, communication and sensor systems often feature extendable antennas, telescopic masts and linearly moving sensor platforms. Linear incremental encoders measure linear displacement and provide continuous position feedback to the control system.

This enables precise extension and positioning of masts and sensors, as well as their controlled return to predefined starting or transport positions.

Lineair Incremental encoders

Designed for Demanding Operating Conditions

Operator controls and position sensors in mobile and marine systems are exposed to vibration, dust, moisture, temperature fluctuations and high mechanical loads. Althen offers robust joystick and sensor solutions designed for a wide range of operating conditions.

Contactless sensing technologies, durable designs and, depending on the product, redundant output signals help ensure reliable performance, even under intensive use and over extended operating periods.

Products Meeting Military Specifications and Standards

For particularly demanding applications, Althen offers acceleration sensors, pressure sensors, inclinometers as well as angular rate sensors and precision gyroscopes that meet specific military specifications and standards (MIL-Spec).

Depending on the product, these requirements may cover vibration, shock, temperature, humidity, dust, pressure, altitude, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and other environmental or mechanical conditions.

Compliance with specific standards, specifications and testing requirements is product-dependent and assessed individually by Althen for each application.

Customised Joystick and Control Solutions

Military platforms have different requirements for operator controls, installation space and communication interfaces. Althen offers configurable joysticks and controllers that can be tailored to specific application requirements.

Options include different grip designs, switches and push buttons, Hall effect sensing technology, redundant output signals and digital communication interfaces. These configurations allow control solutions to be integrated into existing vehicle, marine and remote control systems.

Products for Military & Defence Applications

Mini joysticks

Miniature joysticks and thumbsticks are the smallest joysticks available and are specially designed for mounting in narrow spaces while remaining robust and highly reliable.

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