Protector RWS explained

The Protector RWS is a remotely controlled weapons station (RWS) that can be mounted to vehicles and stationary platforms. It has been in full scale production since December 2001. It is manufactured by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace of Norway.[1]

Design

The system consists of a stabilized firing platform, a fire-control system and control grips. Several weapons can be mounted to the platform, such as:

Versions

Several versions of Protector have been developed with more than 20,000 units sold around the world in service with 23 countries.[4] Between the M151 and M153 variants Kongsberg has delivered more than 18,000 systems to the U.S. Armed Services. These systems are in-service within every branch of the U.S. military and many US agencies.[5]

Overview

The Protector family includes the RS2, RS4 and RS6 Remote Weapon Stations, with weapons from light machine guns (5.56 mm) to light cannons (30×113mmB M230 chain gun).[6] It also includes the Remote Turrets, designed for medium caliber cannons like 30×173mm and 40×180mm (Mk44 Bushmaster II).

NameFormer name / version / program
RS2Protector Lite, Protector Super Lite
RS4M151, M153 (CROWS), Protector nordic
RS4 low profileRWS Low profile, M153 (CROWS)
RS4 navalRWS naval, Sea Protector
RS6RWS LW30, M153 (CROWS)
RT20MCT-30 (Medium Caliber Turret 30 mm),
Protector Medium Caliber RWS
RT40MCT-30 (Medium Caliber Turret 30 mm)
Protector Medium Caliber RWS
RT60MCT-40 (Medium Caliber Turret 40 mm)
Protector Medium Caliber RWS

M151 versions

The system also features 4 M6 Smoke Grenade Dischargers. Specifications (excluding weapons and ammo):[7]

M153 Protector

M153 Protector is designed to meet CROWS II requirement. Specifications (excluding weapons and ammo):[8]

Other variants

Protector Lite
  • Protector Lite is a lightweight version for 7.62 mm machine gun with 200 rounds of ammunition carried.[9]
    Protector Super Lite
  • Protector Super Lite is the lightest version currently available, and is a lightweight (30 kg), man-portable system that can be operated both remotely and manually. The Super Lite is fully stabilized and adaptable to any wheeled, tracked or stabilized platform, including tripods.[10]
    Protector Medium Caliber RWS
  • Protector Medium Caliber RWS is designed as a vehicle turret for 20 to 50 mm autocannons, with coaxial machinegun of 5.56 to 7.62 mm. Specifications (including weapons and ammo):[11]
    Sea Protector
  • Sea Protector is developed for naval applications.[12]
  • In operation, maximum azimuth slew rate >100°/s, with maximum elevation slew Rate >50°/s. Range of Elevation −20° to +60°
    Protector Dual RWSProtector Dual RWS mounts two weapons. It provides a dual user functionality (Gunner / Commander). The coaxial weapon is mounted on the same axis as the main gun.[13]
  • Protector with Non Lethal Effectors
  • Protector with Non Lethal Effectors is designed to close a capability gap in peacekeeping, peace enforcement and humanitarian operations as well as today's asymmetric warfare.[14]
    Protector Nordic
  • Protector Nordic is claimed by the Norwegian remote weapon station developer as the most technically advanced Protector RWS ordered to date, and is a key element in the foundation for cooperation in the Nordic material programs. The extended functionality includes the Day Camera VIS 95 with 95 field of view and the Infrared Aim Laser (850 nm), both developed by Kongsberg.[15]
    Protector NM221
  • Protector NM221 includes internal ammunition feed.[16]

    Users

    References

    1. Web site: PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Systems . 2022-06-16 . www.kongsberg.com . en.
    2. https://web.archive.org/web/20071114120157/http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2006smallarms/cavoretto.pdf XM307 Weapons System
    3. Web site: Et fremtidsrettet prosjekt. https://web.archive.org/web/20050420144950/http://www.mil.no/start/article.jhtml?articleID=78157. dead. April 20, 2005.
    4. Web site: Kongsberg delivers 20,000th Protector RWS to US Army.
    5. Web site: U.S. ARMY AWARDS USD 1.498 BILLION IDIQ CROWS CONTRACT TO KONGSBERG . Kongsberg.com . 31 October 2022.
    6. Web site: REMOTE WEAPON SYSTEMS . Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace. 27 May 2021.
    7. Web site: M151 PROTECTOR . 2013-04-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044154/http://www.kongsberg.com/en/kps/products/remoteweaponstation/~/media/KPS/Datasheets/Dataark_M151_september%202010%20A4.ashx . 2016-03-04 . dead .
    8. Web site: M153 PROTECTOR . 2013-04-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003019/http://www.kongsberg.com/en/kps/products/remoteweaponstation/~/media/KPS/Datasheets/Dataark_crows_sep%202010-A4.ashx . 2016-03-04 . dead .
    9. Web site: PROTECTOR Lite . 2013-04-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060657/http://www.kongsberg.com/en/KPS/Products/~/media/KDS/Files/Products/Remote%20Weapon%20Station/Brochures/PROTECTOR%20brosjyre.ashx . 2016-03-04 . dead .
    10. Web site: PROTECTOR Super Lite . 2013-04-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052521/http://www.kongsberg.com/en/kps/products/remoteweaponstation/~/media/KPS/Datasheets/Dataark_Super_lite_SEPT%202010-A4.ashx . 2016-03-04 . dead .
    11. Web site: PROTECTOR Medium Caliber RWS . 2013-04-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131006223009/http://www.kongsberg.com/en/kps/products/remoteweaponstation/~/media/KPS/Datasheets/MC%20RWS%20standard%20sept%202010.ashx . 2013-10-06 . dead .
    12. Web site: Sea PROTECTOR . 2013-04-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031425/http://www.kongsberg.com/en/kps/products/remoteweaponstation/~/media/KPS/Datasheets/Datasheet_Sea%20PROTECTOR.ashx . 2016-03-04 . dead .
    13. Web site: PROTECTOR Dual RWS. https://web.archive.org/web/20130511025819/http://www.kongsberg.com/en/kps/products/remoteweaponstation/protector%20dual%20rws/. dead. May 11, 2013.
    14. Web site: PROTECTOR with Non Lethal Effectors. https://web.archive.org/web/20130511025824/http://www.kongsberg.com/en/kps/products/remoteweaponstation/protector%20with%20non%20lethal%20effectors/. dead. May 11, 2013.
    15. Web site: PROTECTOR RWS – Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. https://web.archive.org/web/20130511192943/http://www.kongsberg.com/en/kps/products/remoteweaponstation/protector%20nordic/. dead. May 11, 2013.
    16. Web site: Ancile. www.deagel.com.
    17. Web site: ASLAV . Nautilus Institute . 19 December 2011 . 20 September 2018.
    18. News: Kongsberg to repair, overhaul remote weapons stations . 20 September 2018 . United Press International . 18 October 2013.
    19. Web site: KONGSBERG AWARDED CONTRACT TO PROVIDE REMOTE WEAPON STATIONS TO THE CANADIAN ARMY WORTH 500 MNOK . Kongsberg Aerospace & Defense . Kongsberg.com . 2020-05-25 . 2020-08-01.
    20. Web site: Croatia's New APCs: AMVs, RWS and Export Opportunities . Defense Industry Daily . 20 September 2018.
    21. Web site: Contract to deliver Remote Weapons Stations to Denmark worth 270 MNOK.
    22. Web site: På lista over brukere av den norske våpenstasjonen har det dukket opp to nye nasjoner. Per Erlien. Dalløkken. December 21, 2021. Tu.no.
    23. Web site: Redaksi . 2019-07-01 . Kapal Patroli KMC 38M TNI AD Dilengkapi Senjata Kongsberg Sea Protector MK50 . 2023-08-11 . Beritalima.com . id-ID.
    24. Web site: PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Systems. www.kongsberg.com.
    25. Web site: Middle East moves to balanced vehicle fleets [IDX15VP]]. 22 February 2015 . Christopher F.. Foss. Jane's 360.
    26. Web site: Kongsberg to deliver its Protector RWS to Lithuania. 15 April 2020.
    27. Web site: EXÉRCITO ENVIA BLINDADOS PANDUR PARA A RCA Operacional . 2023-05-27 . pt-PT.
    28. Web site: Norway's Kongsberg signs 8-year defense technology development deal with Qatar. 14 March 2018.
    29. Web site: Militarny . Ukraine receives Stryker equipped with Protector RWS Remote Weapon Stations .

    External links

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