OWS-25

OWS-25



RAFAEL Ltd., has throughout the years of its existence, equipped the Israeli Defense Forces with systems tailored to achieve superiority in the battlefield: air, land and sea. RAFAEL also contributes to the security of many foreign customers; equipping their Armed Forces with superior, innovative Weapon Systems. The Overhead Weapon Stations, family of products has been developed to give maximum survivability to the operating team, without compromising the top operational requirements. The OWS concept optimizes the following: Lowest added weight / occupied volume Highest level of survivability Enhanced fire power with maximal accuracy Human engineering considerations Cost-effectiveness Support of battle doctrine This design resulted in a, lightweight, electrically operated and controlled, single-person turret, with an enclosed lower structure. The place for the operator/gunner and controls is below the vehicle's deck. The gunner, protected by the vehicle's main armor, can easily operate the weapon system, as well as an array of possible sights, for orientation, detection, recognition and successful engagement of targets. He can operate the turret and activate the weapons in the closed-hatch mode, or use the head-out mode, if necessary for better orientation capability. The basic version of the OWS family allows the complete operation of an array of weapons: 25 mm cannon, as a main weapon 7.62 mm Coaxial Machine Gun (Coax), as a secondary weapon Smoke Grenade Launching System, combining a choice of solutions for the sights: optical, CCD, ICCD and Thermal (FLIR). The advanced version allows the integration of Anti-Tank Missiles. The OWS concept forms the basis for other Weapon Systems, e.g. Air-Defense Mobile System (ADMS) or Naval Stabilized Gun System (NSGS).





The OWS-25 comprises two main sectors: Upper Structure - above the vehicle deck, which incorporates the turret deck with the operator’s hatch, the weapon systems and their mounts, the sights, and the Smoke Grenade Launchers (SGL). Optionally, the SGL can be installed on the hull, when anti-tank missiles are installed on the turret. Lower Structure - below the vehicle deck, comprises the turret cage, accommodating a single operator with the weapons control assemblies, the sight displays, the ready-to-use ammunition, and auxiliary sub-assemblies. The OWS-25, while in a closed-hatch mode, is inherently NBC environment protected when the vehicle overpressure system is activated.



The design of RAFAEL's Overhead Weapon Station family provides unique characteristics, placing its OWS over-the-edge and ahead of other turrets, serving the small caliber cannons. The list below points out the important features; their strengths and advantages. Minimal Weight and Volume Weighing below 1000 kg, it offers the lightest available solution on the market – about half of that of a conventional turret. This feature benefits automotive performance, as well as enhanced flotation capability, and allows carrying more ammunition, fuel and/or additional armor protection. The weapon station's low volume (cage diameter) allows more crew seats or more free space and passages for the crew, commander and driver. Below Deck Position The Operator / Gunner is protected by the vehicle's main armor to the same level as that of the AFV / IFV Crew. This position allows direct communication and eye-contact with the Commander and the rest of the Crew. It contributes to the overall survivability. Weapon External Mount Frees more internal space; improves habitability and ergonomics. Toxic gases, and spent brass cartridges and links are ejected outside the vehicle; the noise is reduced. This type of mount assists in obtaining inherent NBC protection in the closed-hatch mode of operation. Emergency Operation In case of power failure, traverse and elevation can be achieved by manual back-up operation. When necessary for observation and orientation, the operator can assume a standing, head-out, position, and still fully operate the turret. Cost Effectiveness The single-man turret minimizes the structure and all the auxiliary systems to an optimal level, rendering a low-cost, engineered weapon station, that can easily compete on a cost effectiveness basis. Main Weapon Caliber Choice Considerations have been made regarding the choice of the Main Weapon – the cannon (25 vs. 30 mm). Recent developments in the popular 25 mm ammunition, with performance close to the 30 mm caliber, pulled the decision in favor of the weight and volume saving 25 mm automatic gun and ammunition. This choice enhances the number of the ready-to-fire rounds, stored in the OWS Cage, maintaining the overall performance. Remote Operation The System can be supplemented with a Remote Operation Console, installed at the Commander Post. This feature offers the possibility to assign any desired degree of intervention in the turret operation from a remote point. It allows the interchangeability of the roles of the Commander and the Gunner, according to the field doctrine developed in support of the crew tasks. It is possible, upon operational decision, to let the commander (as a minimum) to observe the same area as viewed by the gunner, and upon proper choice – let him interfere from “hold-fire / assign-fire” authority – up to a full turret operation capability.



Armament Main: 25mm cannon (M-242 or other selected cannon) Coax: 7.62mm machine gun as a coaxial weapon Smoke: 2x3 smoke grenade launchers Crew One Ammunition Main:140 HE rounds ready for use 60 AP rounds ready for use Coax: 250 rounds ready for use Ammunition feed Main:From inside the vehicle Coax: From inside the vehicle Cocking Coax cocking facility from inside and outside of the vehicle Control Traverse: Electrically controlled nx360 deg. Elevation: Electrically controlled, Elevation range: -8 deg. to + 45 deg. Manual backup drive Optics Main: Peritelescopic combined day / night sight Supplementary: 6 vision blocks Weight 1000 Kg. (without the gunner) Nominal aperture in vehicle deck Ø1067 mm Height Above Deck 1000 mm. Power supply 24 VDC




Armament Main: 25mm cannon Oerlikon KBA (other optional) Anti Tank Missile: Launcher with two Malyutka missiles or RAFAEL SPIKE missiles (other optional) Coax: 7.62mm machine gun as a coaxial weapon Smoke: 2x3 smoke grenade launchers (optional) Crew One Ammunition Main:140 HE rounds ready for use 60 AP rounds ready for use Anti Tank Missile: 2 missiles ready for use Coax: 250 rounds ready for use Ammunition feed Main:From inside the vehicle Coax: From inside the vehicle Cocking Coax cocking facility from inside and outside of the vehicle Control Traverse: Electrically controlled nx360 deg. Elevation: Electrically controlled, Elevation range: -11 deg. to + 60 deg. Manual backup drive Optics Main: Peritelescopic combined day / night sight Supplementary: 4 vision blocks Weight 1100 Kg. (without the gunner) Nominal aperture in vehicle deck Ø1067 mm Height Above Deck 1210 mm. Power supply 24 VDC



M113 APC




OWS-25 - Overhead Weapon Station



Valuk Light Armoured Vehicle, Slovenia



The vehicle is equipped with a stabilised Overhead Weapon Station supplied by the Rafael Israel Armament Development Authority. The Overhead Weapon Station OWS-25 is armed with a 25 mm Bushmaster Cannon and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. The gunner can survey, acquire and track a target, aim and fire from inside the turret with a closed hatch or in a head-out position. The gunner's station is equipped with a day and night periscope sighting and observation system. The day periscope sight has a unity magnification window with a collimated aiming circle and an 8x magnification sight with a ballistic reticle. The night periscope sight has a unity magnification window and an image intensifier x7.5 magnification passive night elbow. The weapon station can also be fitted with externally mounted TOW long-range anti-tank guided missiles.



Romanian MLI-84M




OWS-25 - Overhead Weapon Station on Romanian MLI-84M


MLI-84M is modernized version of the MLI-84. MLI-84M equipped with a stabilised Overhead Weapon Station supplied by Rafael. The Overhead Weapon Station OWS-25 is armed with a 25 mm Bushmaster Cannon and and 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. OWS-25 can be equipped with two ani-tank Missiles. MLI-84M aslo has six (three on each side) smoke grenade launchers.

Launch of Spike missile from MLI-84M

Infantry fighting vehicle MLI-84M it is an armored vehicle, used for protecting, transporting and fighting against the personnel, the light armored vehicles and against enemy’s tanks. Using the assembled equipment and the individual armament of the infantry division, this vehicle is also used against the logistic transport, paratroops and helicopters. It is working in very good condition on every kind of roads or fields. It can cross the waters through maximum 1,2 meters deep fords. This product is the result of the cooperation with prestigious partners, world leaders in military equipment production.