RWS pioneers appear

EOS Defence Systems from Australia is among the companies making its first appearance at DSEI, exhibiting as part of the Australia National Pavilion (Stand S10-200). EOS (Electro Optic Systems) has its roots in satellite tracking and precision laser and range-finding systems that were designed for use in the harsh environments of space.

However, in the late 1980s the company saw applications for its technology in the defence world, resulting in the development of the world’s first remote weapon system (RWS). In 2003, the US Army adopted the company’s RWS as the CROWS 1 for deployment to Afghanistan and Iraq. From those beginnings, EOS has developed a family of RWSs to match various role requirements and vehicle types, and has delivered around 1,200.

Among the RWSs is the light gimbal R150, an example of which is shown on a Thales Hawkei in the Australian Pavilion. This is the lightest gimbal capable of mounting a 0.50in (12.7mm) heavy machine gun. The R150 comes with two sensor unit (SU) options, a lightweight uncooled unit for self-protection and support vehicles, and a longer ranged cooled SU for reconnaissance/ surveillance missions.

EOS’s medium gimbal RWS is the R400, the direct descendant of the original CROWS 1 design. The latest R400S Mk 2 version has dual-weapon capability and can also mount anti-tank and surface-to-air missiles.

By mounting cannon that fire 30x113mm rounds, the lightweight R400 RWS brings 30mm cannon firepower to lightweight tactical vehicles that previously lacked the structural strength to mount such weapons. The R400 with a 30x113mm cannon allows the vehicles to out-range commonly encountered threats such as 14.5mm heavy machine guns and the 2A42 30mm cannon.