Curtiss-Wright to supply Turret Drive Stabilization System for Rheinmetall KF51 Panther Tank

Curtiss-Wright has been chosen by Rheinmetall Landsysteme of Germany to supply its state-of-the-art Modular Turret Drive Stabilization System (TDSS) for the KF51 Panther Main Battle Tank, a next-generation armored platform designed to meet the demands of modern, high-intensity warfare.

The KF51 Panther, unveiled as Rheinmetall’s answer to future battlefield challenges, incorporates cutting-edge firepower, protection, and situational awareness capabilities. Curtiss-Wright’s TDSS will play a central role in ensuring precise turret movement, stable gun control, and highly accurate target engagement—even while the tank is in motion across rough terrain.

Brian Perry, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, said the selection underscores the company’s reputation for delivering high-precision, reliable, and adaptable defense technologies. “This contract builds on our long track record of supplying cost-effective and high-performance stabilization systems to the global defense market,” he said.

Under the agreement, Curtiss-Wright’s facility in Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland, will produce the TDSS and associated ergonomic hand controllers. The system is designed to integrate seamlessly with the Panther’s “future-proof” modular architecture, which uses multiple drives for a single axis. This innovative layout optimizes space usage and weight distribution, offering significant flexibility for future upgrades.

Work on the project began in December 2024, and the TDSS will be configured to allow quick adaptation to evolving mission profiles. Curtiss-Wright’s patented modular approach employs standardized components, enabling faster development cycles, reducing the time needed for requirements definition, and accelerating the shift from prototype to production.

The KF51 Panther, which is positioned to potentially replace or complement Leopard 2 tanks in several NATO armies, features a 130mm smoothbore gun, advanced digital fire control, active protection systems, and networked combat management capabilities. With the TDSS integrated, the Panther will be able to engage targets with extreme precision, whether operating independently or as part of a connected armored formation.

Defense analysts note that this partnership could strengthen both companies’ positions in the European and global armored vehicle markets, especially as several countries are seeking modern, upgradeable tank platforms in response to evolving threats and the lessons learned from recent conflicts.