Typhoon Weapon Station

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.

Typhoon armed with 25 mm gun on Shaldag-class patrol boat of the Israeli Navy.

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 250 millimetres (9.8 in) on a target 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) 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 690 and 750 kilograms (1,520 and 1,650 lb) 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.[3] 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.[3] The system has an accuracy rating of 0.5 mrad, weighs between 140 and 170 kilograms (310 and 370 lb), depending on the weapon fitted, and can be installed without structural penetration of a ship's deck.[3] The mini Typhoon is also mounted on the Protector USV (unmanned surface vehicle) as the Mk49 Mod 0.[4][5]

Typhoon Mk-30c

Typhoon Mk-30c is a new variant equipped with the 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster II and 200 ready use rounds.[6]

Operators
Map with Typhoon operators in blue.
Typhoon on the front of a warship.
The Typhoon Mounting the 25mm M242 Bushmaster on board the Australian ship HMAS Armidale.
Stern view of HMAS Parramatta in January 2010. Note the two Mini Typhoon mounts fitted one each side of the hangar roof.
Mk38 Mod2 on board Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Vella Gulf
Manual operation mode.

Current operators
 Australia
 Canada
 India
 Israel - with M242 Bushmasters
 Maldives
 New Zealand
 Singapore
 Philippines
 Sri Lanka
 United States
  • 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
  1. "RSN – Assets – Weapons". Ministry of Defence (Singapore) (MINDEF). 23 July 2010. Archived from the original on 20 July 2008. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  2. Muhammad Juffry, Bin Joihani (Jul–Aug 2009). "PCG upgrades with new fleet and training centre". Police Life Monthly. Singapore: Singapore Police Force. 35 (7). ISSN 0217-8699. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  3. Scott, Richard (12 December 2007). "Enhanced small-calibre systems offer shipborne stopping power". International Defence Review. Jane's Information Group.
  4. "RSN – Assets – Unmanned Surface Vehicles". MINDEF. 2 June 2010. Archived from the original on 14 February 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  5. "Protector Unmanned Surface Vehicle". Defense Update. 5 May 2006. Archived from the original on 4 November 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  6. "TyphoonTM Mk-30c World-leading Stabilised Naval Gun" (PDF). Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. March 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  7. Tillett, Andrew (14 December 2021). "Defence quietly cancels another navy contract – after denying problems". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  8. "Future Royal Australian Navy LHD HMAS Canberra received its four Typhoon RWS". January 4, 2014. Archived from the original on January 4, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  9. "Janes | Latest defence and security news". Archived from the original on 2015-07-21. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  10. "HMNZS Aotearoa - A11". Royal New Zealand Navy. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  11. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-12-02. Retrieved 2012-09-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. "MK 38 – 25 mm Machine Gun System". United States Navy Fact File. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  13. "Mk 38 Mod 3 Machine Gun System (MGS)". BAE Systems. Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  14. "Contracts for June 29, 2018". U.S. Department of Defense Search Defense.gov: Search. Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  15. "U.S. Navy Type Classifies MK49 MOD0 Gun Weapon System". General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products. 19 December 2005. Archived from the original on 20 July 2006. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  16. "Mini-TyphoonTM System Gun Machine Operated Remotely & Stabilized N" (PDF). Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  17. http://defense-update.com/20121031_us-navy-tests-rafael-spike-missiles-on-unmanned-vessels.html Archived 2013-01-17 at the Wayback Machine US Navy Tests Rafael Spike Missiles on Unmanned vessels
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