Mini-Samson RCWS

 
 
 

RCWS - Remote Controlled Weapon Station
 
 

RCWS - Remote Controlled Weapon Station
 
 

The SAMSON-RCWS is an advanced development of the previous generation's Overhead Weapon Stations (OWS and OWS-25), which were pioneered jointly by RAFAEL and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to provide the best available protection for the crew. 

Recently, the more advanced Remotely Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) has been introduced by RAFAEL. This design is based on the principle of mounting the weapon in an external, above deck mount, while the gunner is located under the vehicle deck in any convenient position and protected by the vehicle's armor. 

The Remotely Controlled concept provides the most cost-effective and compliant solution in terms of light weight, low silhouette, ease of integration to all vehicle variants and minimal associated cost. Additional benefits include: excellent Human Engineering Factors (HEF), ballistic protection, ease of operation, isolation from firing effects, easy NBC protection while firing the weapon, and efficient use of inner vehicle space.

The day and night sight enables around-the-clock effective surveillance and operation.
 
 

The SAMSON-RCWS enables the crew of an armored vehicle to operate different caliber weapons (7.62mm Machine Gun, 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun or 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher -AGL).  It is installed on the vehicle's deck, operated from within with minimal interference with the other vehicle systems.

The SAMSON-RCWS can be stabilized for "on the move" target acquisition and firing. The SAMSON-RCWS can be slaved to direction data obtained from an external target acquisition system or Battle Management System (BMS), or conversely provide target positioning and directional data to friendly forces through the BMS.

The SAMSON-RCWS has full manual back-up capabilities. Optionally, it can be controlled and operated from the Commander's position, who can take over for the Gunner if the latter is incapacitated.

The SAMSON-RCWS has a low silhouette, enabling air transportation of the carrier vehicle without any further preparation. The SAMSON-RCWS' high elevation angles, enable tracking and shooting at targets (snipers etc.) in high rise buildings.

Being lightweight, with no deck penetration necessary for its installation (except for the two interface harnesses), the SAMSON-RCWS can be easily mounted on any vehicle type at any hatch location with minimum interference.

It is designed to operate within full specification in all climatic theatres. The SAMSON-RCWS has been chosen by US, UK, Canada Turkish land forces and IDF to equip their fighting troops. Other armed forces show a great interest in the concept and in the system.

 
 

Main Features

  • Complete remote operation
  • Day/night operation
  • Closed hatch and head-out operation capability
  • Electric drives and firing
  • Manual emergency mode of operation
  • Safety firing inhibit system
  • Built-in test
  • Variety of weapons
  • Low silhouette
  • Stabilization (optional)

Main Advantages

  • Lightweight
  • Improved gunner protection
  • No toxic gas hazard
  • Good ergonomics and habitability
  • External ejection of spent cartridges and links
  • Low weapon depression angles
  • Firing while the vehicle is under cover
  • Eye contact between the gunner and the vehicle crew
  • Easy installation
  • Remote control enables operational and technical flexibility
  • Manual backup operation
 



 
Armament (interchangeable by the crew)
7.62mm GPMG
or 12.7mm HMG
or 40mm AGL
and others

Crew
One (option: dual control posts)

Ammunition
7.62 mm GPMG: 230 rounds ready for use NATO Std. ammunition box (option: 460 rounds ammunition box)
12.7 mm HMG: 100 rounds ready for use (option: up to 200)
40 mm AGL: 32 rounds ready for use (option: up to 48)

Control
Traverse: Electrically controlled nx360 deg.
                  High speed 1.0 rad/sec
                  Low speed 0.5 mrad/sec
Elevation: Electrically controlled,
                   Elevation range: -20 deg. to + 60 deg.
                   High speed 1.0 rad/sec
                   Low speed 0.5 mrad/sec
Manual backup operation

Optics
Day sight: Charged Coupled Device (CCD) camera
Night sight: Thermal uncooled microbolometer camera (option: LLLTV Camera)
Other sensor are available on customer request
Display: LCD monitor

Weight
Over deck assembly: 105 kg
In hull assembly: 20 kg

Height Above Deck
540/620 mm.

Power supply
24 VDC

Options:
Stabilization
Fire control (LRF etc.)
Remote charging
Slave mode
Long range observation
Ammo counter
Integration of Spike missile
 
 
  • Use of the operational system for training.
  • Incorporates built-in knowledge center to provide basic learning of related topics: Intelligence, operational instructions and maintenance.
  • Enables embedded mission rehearsal at base and deployment.
  • Configurable to various weapon systems.
  • Possible use of existing electronics of the weapon system/platform.
  • Network training via either HLA & Web modes.
  • Cost effective, PC based solution.
 
 
 
 
 
Namer APC
   




First prototype based on Merkava Mk. 1 chassis.
  
   


Latest version of Namer based on Merkava Mk. 4 chassis.
  
   
   
   
Puma APC
  
   


 
   
   

Puma - Combat Engineering Vehicle
  
   
   
   
 
   


 
   
   

Achzarit APC
  
   
   
   
M113 APC
  
   




   
The RCWS interchangeably accommodates three types of weapons: the M 240 7.62 mm machine gun, the M 2 12.7 mm heavy machine gun and the Mk 19 40 mm Automatic Grenade Launcher. It is equipped with CCD and uncooled IR (FLIR)sensors for day and night operation. The RCWS can be slaved to external sources like observation systems, Battle Management Systems (BMS), various sensors etc.

The weapon stations are to be integrated onto the M113 APC, manned and unmanned surveillance towers, and light armored vehicles. The purchase includes delivery of the RCWS units and logistic support products such as training, documentation, spare parts etc. These RCWS units are members of a family that also includes a 25-40mm version of the remote controlled weapon station.
 
   
   
   
Stryker APC
  
   



Stryker APC with RCWS and Trophy
  
   

Stryker LIC, Israeli modification of Stryker APC for low intensity conflict.
  
   
   
   
Patria AMV, Finland
 
   

 
   
Israeli firm Rafael's RCWS-12.7 remotely controlled weapon station (RCWS) has been selected by the Polish Ministry of National Defence (MND) and Polish company Wojskowe Zaklady Mechaniczne (WZM) to equip the country's future fleet of Rosomak-1 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) as well as other Rosomak variants.

WZM, formally responsible for the selection process under supervision from the MND, began negotiations with Rafael and Polish partner Bumar on 3 November for the delivery of 249 RCWS-12.7 weapon stations for Poland's Rosomak-1s (the Polish name for the APC variant of the AMV originally designed by Patria Vehicles of Finland). The potential value of the contract is said to be PLN210 million - PLN240 million (USD65 million - USD75 million). Poland expects the systems to be manufactured in-country with export rights given as part of an offset agreement.

The RCWS requirement includes the provision of 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm machine guns and other systems. JDW has learned that the RCWS-12.7 has also been offered with M240 7.62 mm and M2 12.7 mm M2 machine guns and is equipped with PCO's SSP-1 Obra-3 universal self-protection and laser warning system.

Meanwhile, WZM has simultaneously received the long-awaited green light for the manufacture of 135 Rosomak-1 APCs, 74 Rosomak-WDST tactical command vehicles and 38 Rosomak-WZT armoured recovery vehicle variants. On 13 October WZM had submitted to the MND bids on the design and development of Rosomak-1 APCs with five fully stabilised RCWS options. These options were offered by companies that had, on 3 October, delivered to WZM their best and final offers in a tender launched in June. These companies included:

Kongsberg Protech (Protector RWS);

Recon/Optical (ROI) along with OBRUM Gliwice and Unitronex Poland (M101 CROWS II);

OBR SM (ZSMU-127/ZSMU-762 Kobuz);

Oto Melara (Hitrole); and

Rafael Armament Development Authority along with Bumar (RCWS-12.7/RCWS-7.62)

After a review of WZM's Rosomak-1 variant proposals, the MND authorised the company to invite OBRSM, Oto Melara and Rafael/Bumar for a final round of negotiations in the RCWS selection process. The MND also notified the company that it intended to increase the number of modules from 135 up to 247, with additional stations to be acquired under a single contract for the other two Rosomak variants.

Following the review of improved offers delivered on 21 October and an audit of the bidders conducted by MND representatives, the Bumar/Rafael bid received the highest score: 89.5 points versus 86.5 points awarded to OBRSM and 82 points awarded to Oto Melara. WZM had organised two weeks of field trials in August at the Wedrzyn training area and at WZM facilities. The trials included three-day/night-long field tests, live firing and laboratory checks during which the tender committee checked the compliance of systems with the customer's requirements.

The first Rosomak to be completed by WZM is to be delivered to the MND in December, some seven months later than originally planned. This also means that the MND will receive from WZM at least 86 8 x 8 AMV APCs manufactured by Patria Vehicles. Originally, among the 690 AMVs ordered only 40 were to be delivered (in IFV configuration with Oto Melara Hitfist 30 turret) by the Finnish company, but the programme was delayed due to financial and legal issues that have now been resolved following negotiations between WZM, Bumar, Oto Melara and Patria Vehicles.
  
   
   
   
Cobra (Otokar)
 
   



 
   
Cobra APC fitted with remotely controlled weapon station has a flexibility to accept 7,62 GPMG or 12,7mm HMG or 40mm AGL to its weapon station which is coupled with FLIR and day camera. Totally controlled by the gunner within inside of the protected compartment, the vehicle has a crew of 3 and accommodates additional 6 man personnel at the rear. The vehicle forms an efficient platform for patrol under day and night conditions
  
   
   
   
VBL, Panhard
  
   

 
   
   
   
Hummer
  
   


 
   
   
   
 
   
 
   
   
   

Wolf - Multi-Purpose Armored Vehicle
  
   
   
   
 
   

 
   
   
   

Golan - Wheeled Armored Vehicle
  
   
   
   
OT-64 (SKOT)
 
   

 
   
   
   
South Korean 6x6 APC