Typhoon Weapon Station Explained

The Typhoon is a type of remote weapon station manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Israel, and it shares similar design principles and common technologies with Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station (Samson RCWS), a land-based system manufactured by the same developer. Like Samson RCWS, Typhoon is also multi-configurable.

The Typhoon, and its lightweight variant, Mini Typhoon, are used by the Israeli Navy, Indian Navy, Philippine Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, the Republic of Singapore Navy,^[1] Sri Lankan Navy and Singapore's Police Coast Guard.^[2]

Overview

The first Typhoon, the Mk-23, was released in 1997. The weapon is mounted on a stabilized deck mounting which allows it to remain on target as the platform beneath it moves. The stabilizer has an accuracy of 0.25 milliradians (mrad), allowing it to keep the weapon aimed to within on a target away.

The mounting does not penetrate the platform, making it relatively simple to fit the weapon to ships. Typhoon can use sights attached to the weapon mount or it can receive inputs from an independent Electro-Optical Detector (EOD) or Fire Control Radar (FCR). Using its own sight the Typhoon system can provide firing solutions entirely without outside assistance, allowing it to function fully independently.

The cannon system mounted can be an ATK, Oerlikon, Mauser or Giat model in the 20–30 mm caliber range. Between 160 and 210 rounds are carried on the mounting, depending on the caliber. The mount can traverse 120° to either side and elevate between -12.5° and 40.5°. The weight of a complete system is between 690and without ammunition, depending on the guns and sensors mounted.

By 2006, more than 120 Typhoon systems had been ordered.

Variants

Mini Typhoon

Mini Typhoon is a lightweight, remote-controlled weapon station based on the Typhoon. It can be fitted with a 12.7 mm (.50) machine gun, a 7.62 mm machine gun, or a 40 mm grenade launcher, with a magazine of up to 230 rounds. The system has an accuracy rating of 0.5 mrad, weighs between 140and, depending on the weapon fitted, and can be installed without structural penetration of a ship's deck. The mini Typhoon is also mounted on the Protector USV (unmanned surface vehicle) as the Mk49 Mod 0.^{[3] [4]}

Typhoon Mk-30c

Typhoon Mk-30c is a new variant equipped with the 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster II and 200 ready use rounds.^[5]

Operators

Current operators

• Adelaide-class frigate (retired) – Mini Typhoon as a temporary mount for deployments to the Middle East.
• Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel^[6]
• Armidale-class patrol boat – 25 mm M242 Bushmaster
• Anzac-class frigate – Mini Typhoon as a temporary mount for deployments to the Middle East.^[7]
• Canberra-class landing helicopter dock^[8]
• Hobart-class destroyer – 25 mm M242 Bushmaster
• Supply-class replenishment oiler – 25 mm M242 Bushmaster

• - Mini Typhoon as mount
• - Mk 38 Mod 2 as main gun

• Super Dvora Mk II-class patrol boat

- with M242 Bushmasters

• Shaldag-class patrol boat
• Super Dvora Mk II-class patrol boat
• Super Dvora Mk III-class patrol boat
• Sa'ar 4.5-class missile boat

Maldives

• Colombo-class FACs

• Anzac-class frigate – Mini Typhoon as a permanent mount with M2 Browning machine guns
• Protector-class offshore patrol vessel – 1 x 25 mm^[9]
• HMNZS Aotearoa - Mini Typhoon as a permanent mount^[10]

• Del Pilar-class offshore patrol vessel – Mk.38 Mod. 2 & 3
• Multi-purpose Attack Craft – Mini Typhoon and Typhoon MLS-ER
• Nestor Acero-class FAIC

Singapore

• Endurance-class landing platform dock – 2× 25mm Mk 38 Mod 2 (mounted amidships on port and starboard side)
• Formidable-class frigate Mk 38 Mod 2
• Bedok-class mine countermeasures vessel – Mk 25
• Protector USV – Mini Typhoon Mk49 Mod0^[4]
• New Coastal Patrol Craft (NCPC) for the Police Coast Guard.

Sri Lanka

• Saryu-class advanced offshore patrol vessels – 2× 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster II (mounted amidships on port and starboard side)
• Colombo class FACs
• Shaldag-class patrol boat
• Super Dvora Mk II-class patrol boat
• Super Dvora Mk III-class patrol boat

• Typhoon Weapon System has been selected by the US Navy, designated Mk 38 Mod 2, and provided by the US-located branch of the UK-headquartered company BAE Systems teamed with Rafael.^[11] Following upgrades which expanded the ships it could be mounted on, improved its optics, and added a co-axial 7.62mm machine gun, it received the designation Mk 38 Mod 3.^{[12] [13] [14]}
• Mini-Typhoon selected by the US Navy as the Remote Operated Small Arms Mount (ROSAM), designated Mk 49 Mod 0, and a later model Mk 49 Mod 1.^{[15] [16]} The combination Spike missile/12.7mm armed variant has been tested on an unmanned vessel.^[17]

References

Notes

External links

• • TYPHOON Naval Stabilized Weapon Station
• MINI-TYPHOON Naval Stabilized Weapon Station

Video links

Notes and References

1. Web site: RSN – Assets – Weapons. 23 July 2010. Ministry of Defence (Singapore) (MINDEF). 15 September 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20080720080143/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/navy/assets/weapons.html. 20 July 2008. live.
2. Muhammad Juffry. Bin Joihani. Jul–Aug 2009. PCG upgrades with new fleet and training centre. Police Life Monthly. Singapore Police Force. Singapore. 35. 7. 0217-8699. 8 November 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110622002441/http://www.spf.gov.sg/prints/plm/2009/julaug_pg02.htm. 22 June 2011.
3. Web site: RSN – Assets – Unmanned Surface Vehicles. 2 June 2010. MINDEF. 15 September 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20140214124549/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/content/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/navy/assets/unmannedsurfacevehicles.html. 14 February 2014. live.
4. Web site: Protector Unmanned Surface Vehicle . Defense Update . 18 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191104210244/https://defense-update.com/20060505_protector.html . 4 November 2019 . 5 May 2006.
5. Web site: TyphoonTM Mk-30c World-leading Stabilised Naval Gun . Rafael Advanced Defense Systems . 18 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183504/https://www.rafael.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Typhoon-Mk-30c-1.pdf . 9 July 2021 . March 2019.
6. News: Tillett . Andrew . Defence quietly cancels another navy contract – after denying problems . 17 December 2021 . Australian Financial Review . 14 December 2021.
7. Scott . Richard . 12 December 2007 . Enhanced small-calibre systems offer shipborne stopping power . International Defence Review . Jane's Information Group .
8. Web site: Future Royal Australian Navy LHD HMAS Canberra received its four Typhoon RWS . January 4, 2014 . January 4, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140104212720/http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/year-2014-news/january-2014-navy-naval-forces-maritime-industry-technology-security-global-news/1464-future-royal-australian-navy-lhd-hmas-canberra-received-its-four-typhoon-rws.html . January 4, 2014 . live .
9. Web site: Janes | Latest defence and security news . 2015-07-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150721192854/http://www.janes.com/article/42197/new-zealand-s-opvs-complete-typhoon-gun-acceptance-trials . 2015-07-21 . live .
10. News: HMNZS Aotearoa - A11 . Royal New Zealand Navy . 13 March 2023.
11. Web site: Archived copy . 2012-09-18 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121202130720/http://www.rafael.co.il/marketing/SIP_STORAGE/FILES/1/941.pdf . 2012-12-02 .
12. Web site: MK 38 – 25 mm Machine Gun System . United States Navy Fact File . 6 April 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181103001136/https://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=2100&tid=500&ct=2 . 3 November 2018 . live .
13. Web site: Mk 38 Mod 3 Machine Gun System (MGS) . BAE Systems. . 6 April 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190406014540/https://www.baesystems.com/en-us/product/mk-38-machine-gun-system . 6 April 2019 . live .
14. Web site: Contracts for June 29, 2018 . U.S. Department of Defense Search Defense.gov: Search . 6 April 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190406014537/https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1564122/ . 6 April 2019 . live .
15. Web site: U.S. Navy Type Classifies MK49 MOD0 Gun Weapon System . General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products . 18 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060720170735/https://www.gdatp.com/news/NR-019.htm . 20 July 2006 . 19 December 2005.
16. Web site: Mini-TyphoonTM System Gun Machine Operated Remotely & Stabilized N . Rafael Advanced Defense Systems . 18 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201112022836/https://www.rafael.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Mini-Typhoon-2.pdf . 12 November 2020 . 2019.
17. http://defense-update.com/20121031_us-navy-tests-rafael-spike-missiles-on-unmanned-vessels.html US Navy Tests Rafael Spike Missiles on Unmanned vessels