Innovative Drive Technology for Defense, Security, and Safety
Nabtesco is the world’s largest manufacturer of precision gearboxes and a market leader in robotic gearboxes, with many years of experience in the automotive industry. We possess comprehensive engineering and system expertise and develop precise, durable gear and drive solutions specifically tailored to the demanding requirements of the defense sector. The systems combine modern technologies with flexible scalability and offer precision, reliability, and robustness for land, air, and sea applications.
Precision and reliability under extreme conditions
Our gearboxes are designed for high reliability and durability in mission-critical defense applications. They ensure precise positioning under extreme conditions and are characterized by high axial and radial load-bearing capacity, a wide temperature range of approximately -40 °C to +120 °C, and high resistance to vibration, impact, and shock. They are ideal for aligning sensors, cameras, radar and antenna systems, as well as for target tracking, drone defense, and actuator control.
Advantages:
- Highest precision and reliable positioning
- Reliability in the most demanding application scenarios
- Compact design for easy integration
- Flexibility for customer-specific requirements
- Durable and low-maintenance for reduced operating costs
- European manufacturing of strain wave gears for the highest quality and transparency in the production process
We foster long-term partnerships based on trust and reliable system availability, and we deliver the highest quality, a stable supply chain, and rapid response times. We also ensure that our gearboxes and drive systems remain operational over the long term through customized maintenance and support solutions.
Discover the added value
On land
Our gearboxes are ideal for use in military vehicles and mobile platforms that must operate under extreme terrain and operating conditions. They enable precise alignment of vehicle components and sensors even on uneven terrain and under heavy vibration. Their robust design ensures reliable operation under the most demanding conditions. 48-volt-compatible actuators allow for seamless integration into vehicle electrical systems.
Typical applications:
- Gearboxes for pan-and-tilt systems on vehicle platforms
- Alignment of sensors, cameras, and laser rangefinders
- Mobile radar and antenna positioning on vehicles
- Drives for target tracking and tracking systems
- Drive solutions for unmanned ground vehicles and robots
- Drive systems for vehicle-integrated adjustment units
In flight, our gearboxes ensure the precise alignment and positioning of flight control surfaces such as horizontal stabilizers, rudders, and wing flaps, thereby contributing to the stability and maneuverability of unmanned aerial systems and drones. Our technologies reliably and efficiently meet the demands of limited installation space.
Typical applications:
- Actuators for drones and unmanned aerial systems
- Adjustment of aerodynamic control surfaces
- Positioning and alignment of tracking and observation units
- Drive solutions for moving assemblies in aerial systems and drone defense
- Control and alignment of optical sensors for surveillance purposes
At sea
Marine systems place high demands on drive solutions. Our gearboxes ensure precise positioning and are specifically optimized for the challenges of the marine environment—with high resistance to salty air and extreme temperature fluctuations. They are used, among other things, for aligning antennas, radar and sensor systems, as well as in torpedoes and underwater vehicles.
Typical applications:
- Positioning and tracking of radar and antenna systems on ships
- Alignment of sensors and other moving units on maritime platforms
- Gearboxes for positioning stabilizing fins and control fins in torpedoes and underwater vehicles
- Drive solutions for sea-based drone defense
- Actuators for steering and control mechanisms in maritime applications
Gearboxes and drives for the most demanding applications
Whether on land, in the air, or at sea: we have the right solution for every requirement. Our portfolio includes strain wave gears, cycloidal gears, actuators, digital gearboxes, and mechatronic systems, forming the basis for application-optimized, scalable drive solutions.
Our portfolio:
High power density, 100% backlash-free, compact, made in Germany
Integrated drive solutions for optimal integration
With intelligent sensor technology for precise position detection and real-time adjustment
Compact design, high performance
High rigidity, high torque
Space-saving media routing
Comprehensive solutions for maximum performance and flexibility
Strain wave gears made in Germany
Strain wave gears are a key technology in demanding defense applications. Thanks to their zero backlash and high repeatability, they enable precise positioning even under high load cycles and within tight installation space constraints. Features such as an adjustable back-drive torque, as well as the ability to customize performance, geometry, interfaces, and gear characteristics, provide technical flexibility. We manufacture our strain wave gears in Limburg an der Lahn in accordance with automotive standards (IATF 16949).
Further details and technical specificationsOur Solutions for Defense
Plug & Play
Strain wave gear with solid & hollow shaft
Incl. output & drive bearing + sealing system
Component set
Strain wave gear with solid & hollow shaft
120% power density & 140% life time at same size
Plug&Play
Strain wave gear with solid & hollow shaft
Complete systems for your automation
Component set
Strain wave gear with solid & hollow shaft
Incl. smart sensors & artificial intelligence
Plug & Play
Cycloidal gear with hollow shaft
Maximum flexibility when mounting the motor
Plug & Play
Cycloidal gear with solid shaft
Modular gearboxes with high power density
Component set
Cycloidal gear with solid shaft
Compact & precise: Ideal for robotics
Drive system with Mecanum wheel
Ideal for driverless transport systems
