Protector RWS

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]

M151 Protector with an M2 heavy machine gun on an M1126 Stryker vehicle.

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 (5.56mm) 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).

Name Former name / version / program
RS2 Protector Lite, Protector Super Lite
RS4 M151, M153 (CROWS), Protector nordic
RS4 low profile RWS Low profile, M153 (CROWS)
RS4 naval RWS naval, Sea Protector
RS6 RWS LW30, M153 (CROWS)
RT20 MCT-30 (Medium Caliber Turret 30mm),
Protector Medium Caliber RWS
RT40 MCT-30 (Medium Caliber Turret 30mm)
Protector Medium Caliber RWS
RT60 MCT-40 (Medium Caliber Turret 40mm)
Protector Medium Caliber RWS

M151 versions
  • M151 Protector – deployed with the first Stryker brigades
  • M151 E1 (Block 1) – includes improved thermal cameras
  • M151 E2 (Block 2) – stabilized version
  • Several country specific adaptations
  • Weight (kg): 135
  • Height (mm): 749
  • Operating temperature (in °Celsius): −46 to +65
  • Storage temperature (in °Celsius): −51 to +71

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]

  • Weight (kg): 172
  • Height (mm): 762
  • Operating temperature (in °Celsius): −46 to +65
  • Storage temperature (in °Celsius): −51 to +71

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
The USCGC Sea Devil (WPB-87368) with an M2 Browning .50 Caliber Machine Gun.
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 RWS

Protector 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
A M151 Protector on a Stryker ICV
  • Australian ASLAV-PCs in Iraq
    Australian ASLAV-PCs in Iraq
  • Canadian RG-31s in Afghanistan
    Canadian RG-31s in Afghanistan
  • Interior control station for M151 Protector Remote Weapon Station in Stryker ICV
    Interior control station for M151 Protector Remote Weapon Station in Stryker ICV
  • Stryker ICV on patrol in Iraq
    Stryker ICV on patrol in Iraq
  • Slovenian Patria AMVs with 40mm Mk 19 automatic grenade launchers.
    Slovenian Patria AMVs with 40mm Mk 19 automatic grenade launchers.

References
  1. "PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Systems". www.kongsberg.com. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
  2. XM307 Weapons System
  3. "Et fremtidsrettet prosjekt". Archived from the original on April 20, 2005.
  4. "Kongsberg delivers 20,000th Protector RWS to US Army".
  5. "U.S. ARMY AWARDS USD 1.498 BILLION IDIQ CROWS CONTRACT TO KONGSBERG". Kongsberg.com. 31 October 2022.
  6. "REMOTE WEAPON SYSTEMS". Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  7. "M151 PROTECTOR". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-04-23.
  8. "M153 PROTECTOR". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-04-23.
  9. "PROTECTOR Lite". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-04-23.
  10. "PROTECTOR Super Lite". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-04-23.
  11. "PROTECTOR Medium Caliber RWS". Archived from the original on 2013-10-06. Retrieved 2013-04-23.
  12. "Sea PROTECTOR". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-04-23.
  13. "PROTECTOR Dual RWS". Archived from the original on May 11, 2013.
  14. "PROTECTOR with Non Lethal Effectors". Archived from the original on May 11, 2013.
  15. "PROTECTOR RWS – Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace". Archived from the original on May 11, 2013.
  16. "Ancile". www.deagel.com.
  17. "ASLAV". Nautilus Institute. 19 December 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  18. "Kongsberg to repair, overhaul remote weapons stations". United Press International. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  19. Kongsberg Aerospace & Defense (2020-05-25). "KONGSBERG AWARDED CONTRACT TO PROVIDE REMOTE WEAPON STATIONS TO THE CANADIAN ARMY WORTH 500 MNOK". Kongsberg.com. Retrieved 2020-08-01.
  20. "Croatia's New APCs: AMVs, RWS and Export Opportunities". Defense Industry Daily. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  21. "Contract to deliver Remote Weapons Stations to Denmark worth 270 MNOK".
  22. Dalløkken, Per Erlien (December 21, 2021). "På lista over brukere av den norske våpenstasjonen har det dukket opp to nye nasjoner". Tu.no.
  23. Redaksi (2019-07-01). "Kapal Patroli KMC 38M TNI AD Dilengkapi Senjata Kongsberg Sea Protector MK50". Beritalima.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  24. "PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Systems". www.kongsberg.com.
  25. Foss, Christopher F. (22 February 2015). "Middle East moves to balanced vehicle fleets [IDX15VP]". Jane's 360.
  26. "Kongsberg to deliver its Protector RWS to Lithuania". 15 April 2020.
  27. "EXÉRCITO ENVIA BLINDADOS PANDUR PARA A RCA | Operacional" (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  28. "Norway's Kongsberg signs 8-year defense technology development deal with Qatar". 14 March 2018.
  29. Militarny. "Ukraine receives Stryker equipped with Protector RWS Remote Weapon Stations".
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