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 Remotely controlled sensors and weapon
stations form another facet of unmanned systems, enabling soldiers to
operate their weapons from a safe distance or behind the cover of
armor. A wide range of remotely operated weapon stations was on
display at Eurosatory 2006, ranging from small remotely controlled
mounts for 5.56 and 7.62 mm automatic guns to 30mm unmanned and remotely
operated turrets.
Rheinmetall Landsysteme and Kongsberg Protech exhibited the first results
of their recently announced cooperation to satisfy a German Bundeswehr
requirement for remotely operated weapon stations to be mounted on new wheeled and tracked armored multipurpose vehicles.
The two companies displayed two types of systems: the 609 L (light) and P
(heavy) versions, with 80% parts commonality, through the use of
identical control stations but different external mounts. Thales
demonstrated the SWARM multi-weapon station – the latest generation of
remote weapon system entering service with tracked vehicles of the
British Army.
 Several companies demonstrated light weapon stations mounting 7.62mm machine guns or
12.7mm heavy machine guns. Among these were Elbit
Systems (ORCWS), Thales (SWARM) and Kongsberg / Rheinmetall Defense
(WS609L). RAFAEL introduced a new enhancement for its Mini-Samson RCWS,
featuring a unique net-centric recording capability, monitoring
on-board optronics and information systems. This capability is based
on the integration of Mini-Samson with RADA's avionic NCDR digital
recorder system, which was featured here in its first vehicular
application.
Elbit Systems also exhibited its compact 7.62mm unmanned
turret and 25-30mm unmanned overhead remotely controlled weapon
station. The 7.62mm turret is evaluated by the Israeli Army, for
potential use with the Merkava Mk 4 tank. The 25-30mm ORCWS was
displayed on a Renault VAP (4x4) vehicle. The unmanned turret uses a
stabilized, remotely controlled mount for standard 7.62 automatic
weapons. This design can be used on various vehicles, and does not
require deck penetration for installation.
 Being one of the pioneers in the Remotely
Controlled Weapon Stations (RCWS) market, RAFAEL's Mini-Samson
received an impressive endorsement at Eurosatory 06. One derivative
was displayed by Thales integrated into their urban-warfare modified VAB
AZUR vehicle. Another installation developed by the Turkish armored
vehicle manufacturer Otoklar, was displayed on their Cobra armored
patrol vehicle, which is based on a Humvee chassis.
 A Mini-Samson
installation also appeared on the Panhard VBL light armored scout, demonstrating an advanced
configuration integrated with a net-centric recording system provided
by RADA. Similar systems were displayed on the Plasan Sasa Sand-Cat
armored vehicle, ST Kinetics Bronco, and Uro VAM T5 vehicles.
The Enforcer, a derivative of RAFAEL's Mini-Samson system was also
displayed on BAE System's Hagglunds Viking. The IDF is already
operating the Mini-Samson RCWS, with some 200 systems in production to
be mounted on Humvee patrol vehicles, to supply immediate IDF
requirements. The IDF is also testing RAFAEL's Mini Samson as an
optional weapon for the Merkava Mk 4 main battle tank system and could
include it as part of the basic configuration of future Merkava based heavy armored infantry fighting vehicles, the Namer.
Mini-Samson weighs 95kg (without the weapon and ammunition). Standard
ammunition load is 690 rounds, upgradable to 1,150. |
