RCWS Protects Vehicle Crews
Armored vehicles have traditionally been built with large manned turrets or simple ring- or pintle-mounted machine guns, each of which has drawbacks, notably in weight, crew exposure and increased vehicle silhouette. Recent advances in weapons and sensors, however, make the remotely controlled weapon station (RCWS) a viable option for more platforms, since it can reduce a vehicle’s weight and size and protect the crew.
These benefits are especially apparent in light vehicles. RCWS are even being proposed for logistics vehicles such as trucks, which in the past seldom had more than a cab-mounted light machine gun—if that—for protection. Since logistics and light vehicles account for most of an army’s fleet of ground vehicles, the market for RCWS is enormous, which is one reason so many suppliers are in the business.
Another area driving RCWS sales is robotic vehicles—land and sea. Some unmanned ground vehicles are being weaponized with remotely operated systems (see story, p. 30), and RCWS have been integrated on unmanned surface vessels (USV) that patrol harbors and littoral waters.
An RCWS is not inexpensive—even a simple unit starts at $75,000. And there is a degree of complexity in the design, which requires sensors, integration with vehicle electronics and remote controls. Durability and reliability are vital, since a breakdown not only cripples a vehicle’s ability to fight, but can endanger crewmembers who emerge to check the system.
Nevertheless, the rush to equip vehicles with RCWS is gaining steam—more so because almost every company involved in vehicle sensors, vehicle production, land warfare weapon systems and even subsystems is looking to enter the market. The list of suppliers is growing, but leaders have emerged. Kongsberg of Norway was among the first to see the potential in RCWS, and more than 10,000 units of its Protector family are in service. The Protector is on the U.S. Stryker armored vehicle and has been adopted by armies around the world. The company developed a second-generation Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (Crows II), which has been selected by the U.S. Army.
Israeli companies are also important suppliers, with a range of medium and light systems. These include Rafael, which offers the Samson RCWS with 30-mm cannon, as well as the Typhoon (20-30-mm cannon) and Mini Typhoon (.50-caliber or 7.62-mm machine guns, 40-mm grenade launcher) naval systems for ships and USV, and the ORCWS 7.62 unit from Elbit Systems, with a 7.62-mm machine gun.
Other suppliers are FN Herstal, with the Arrows family; KMW, whose FLW system was ordered by the German army and advanced R-30 turret was specified for Italy’s Puma armored fighting vehicle; Rheinmetall, which is working with Kongsberg; Oto Melara, which makes the Hitfist system and whose Hitrole unit was ordered by the Italian and Polish armies; Nexter, whose products include the ARX20 with a 20-mm 10M621 gun; Aselsan, with the Stamp RCWS; Goodrich ISR (formerly Recon Optical) and EOS of Australia, whose Raven R-400 light system was ordered by the U.S. Army (and reclassified as the M101 Crows); and BAE Systems, which unveiled the TRT-25 RCWS with a 25-mm M242 Bushmaster gun and special rapid engagement feature.
Thales, Saab, Nexter, Dodaam, ATK and several South African companies including Denel are also working on systems.
There are different types of RCWS. There are full remotely operated turrets, which usually have the same base-ring diameter as a manned turret and therefore are more demanding in terms of vehicle integration, though all components are under armor—weapon, sights and sensors, and mechanics.
Other types consist of a pedestal where the weapon, feeding system, ammunition reserve and sensors are attached. These have a smaller base ring, which is a bonus for simple integration on light vehicles.
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