Remote weapon station

Protector M151 with an M2 heavy machine gun on a M1126 Stryker

Operator screen of RWS installed on U.S. Army Stryker

A heavy FLW 200 made by Krauss-Maffei for the German Army

Remote weapon system light made by OTO Melara Iberica

A remote weapon station, also known as a remote weapon system, (RWS) is a remotely operated weaponized system for light and medium caliber weapons which can be installed on ground combat vehicle or sea and air-based combat platforms. Such equipment is used on modern military vehicles, as it allows a gunner to remain in the relative protection of the vehicle. It may also be retrofitted onto existing vehicles, for example, the CROWS system is being fitted to American Humvees and the Thales SWARM for Bushmaster IMVs of the Royal Netherlands Army.

An early version of the concept, based on the MG 34 and aimed using an optical periscope, was mounted on German assault guns and tank destroyers during World War II.

Examples

•  Australia
  • Electro Optic Systems
•  Brazil
  • REMAX
•  Canada
  • Nanuk Remotely Controlled Weapon Station
•  Georgia:
  • DRWS-1^[1]
  • DRWS-2^[2]
•  Germany:
  • Krauss-Maffei Wegmann FLW 100, FLW 200 and FLW 200+
•  Israel:
  • Typhoon Weapon System
  • Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station
  • Rafael Overhead Weapon Station
•  Italy:
  • Oto Melara Hitrole
•  Norway
  • Protector (RWS)
•  South Africa
  • TRT-25 remote weapon station
  • Reutech Rogue
•  Sweden
  • Saab Trackfire
•  United Kingdom
  • SWARM
  • 30mm DS30M Mark 2 Automated Small Calibre Gun
•  United States
  • CROWS
•  Russia
  • Bumerang-BM - Epoch remote control turret

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to remote weapon systems.

• Sentry gun
• Gun turret

References