On October 3, 2006 RAFAEL Armament Development Authority Ltd announces the release of the Samson Jr. as its newest addition of the successful Samson Family of Remote Controlled Weapon Stations (RCWS).

The Samson Jr. LRCWS is a Lightweight Remotely Controlled Weapon Station, designed for use on Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) and other vehicle types in which deck load must be kept to a minimum, such as trucks, ambulances and other 4- wheeled light vehicles. The system provides the host vehicle crew defensive fire capability without compromising the vehicle's internal space. The Samson Jr. LRCWS may host a 7.62 mm M240 General Purpose Machine Gun (NATO western standard) or 5.56mm M249 MINI-MI Machine Gun and their equivalents. Due to its size, it can also host sniper weapons and non-lethal weapons, making it suitable for paramilitary missions as well as military operations.

RAFAEL designed the new Samson based on the vast experience it has gained with its very successful Overhead Weapon Stations (OWS and OWS-25) and the rest of  Samson weapon stations family; Samson RCWS-30 mm cannons and the Mini-Samson for 7.62 machine guns up to 40 mm automatic grenade launcher (AGL). The Samson Jr. was designed with extreme accuracy, a smoother pan and tilt and quicker elevation movement. The Samson Jr. shares a high level of commonality with the other family members, making it very cost effective in terms of operation, training and maintenance. 

The Samson Jr. is currently in evaluation in the Israel Defense Forces and is participating in two separate competitions for weapon stations in the under 100 kg category.

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.

The Samson Jr. LRCWS is a Lightweight Remotely Controlled Weapon Station, designed for use on Armored fighting Vehicles (AFVs) and other vehicle types in which deck load must be kept to a minimum, such as trucks, ambulances and other 4- wheeled light vehicles. The system provides the host vehicle crew defensive fire capability without compromising the vehicle's internal space. The LRCWS is also suitable for any type of wheeled or tracked AFV.

The proposed LRCWS is suitable to operate with a 7.62 mm M240 General Purpose Machine Gun (NATO western standard), 5.56mm M249 MINI-MI Machine Gun.

The Samson Jr. LRCWS is actuated and controlled by an electrical system as the main mode of operation. It can be operated manually with head out as a backup mode of operation. In addition the Samson Jr. LRCWS includes:

• Day and Night Sight System.
• Mechanical Gun Cocking.
• Electrical Remote Cocking

In addition to the above, the LRCWS has the following options:

• Thermal Sight with Two Fields of View (4° & 12°)
• Laser Range Finder (LRF)
• Commander Post
• Stabilization System
• Fire Control System.
• Round Counter
• Connectivity to a Battle Management System (BMS).

The Samson Jr. LRCWS is a refinement of the existing Protected Weapon Station (PWS) which was developed and manufactured for the Canadian Army, the RCWS developed as the Self Defense Weapon for the Future Command and Liaison Vehicle of the Royal British Army (code name ENFORCER), the RCWS code named KATLANIT, developed and produced for the Israeli and Turkish Defense Forces.  It is based upon the experience accumulated by RAFAEL with weapon systems which are in current operational use by several armies.