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Protector from Kongsberg
Kongsbergs PROTECTOR
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There are many hundreds of vehicles across the world in international peacemaking/peacekeeping operations that are not equipped with remote controlled weapon protection systems on the vehicle’s roof which can protect the gunner who could sit in the inside of the armoured vehicle. Many vehicles are only equipped with a machine gun that the gunner has to operate unprotected when he/she is staying in the vehicle’s roof opening. In situation like this, the gunner is exposed in a very dangerous unprotected situation being a target for snipers, being a victim of exploding mines and improvised explosive devices (IED). This gunner has to aim, estimate the range and engage the targets manually and the hit probability is dependant on the gunner’s skills.
KONGSBERG is the world leading producer of remote controlled weapon stations. More than 5000 Systems have already been delivered world wide, and as of 2009 more than 7,500 additional units are covered under existing contracts. PROTECTOR has been selected or is already in service by the following nations; USA, Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Great Britain, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, France, Kuwait, and Slovenia.
The main elements of the PROTECTOR, consists of two parts, one on the vehicle’s roof, and one inside the protected vehicle. The guidance and control unit consists of a computer and a display in the same unit. This makes the control unit one single box mounted inside the vehicle. The gunner has a joy stick and switches on the control unit for changing sensors, changing to training mode, arming and firing. These switches are mounted around the screen display. Controlling the weapons platform is usually done using the joystick.
Three sensors
The weapon station atop the roof consists of the weapon and sensors. It is stabilised. There are usually 3 sensors on the weapon station, one night thermal camera, one video camera and one laser range finder. The weapon station runs on 4 brushless electrical servomotors, 2 for the weapons and 2 for the sensors. All information goes through the software from the computer to the weapon station. For firing, the commander gives the order, and the information is through
Walther Håland har varit verksam inom norska armén men skriver numera på frilalnsbasis artiklar för diverse olika militära tidskrifter.
An Protector system mounted on a combat vehicle attached to the US Marine Corps rapid employment force – the Strycker Brigade. Foto:US Navy. a pure electrical signal by a separate cable. This is important for reasons of security so that software errors do not cause unintentional firing. The PROTECTOR solution allows the joint combat commanders to quickly adapt to different mission profiles with the capability to overmatch and to defeat the enemy. One of the main features of the PROTECTOR is the unique highly accurate 4-axis system which allows the gunner’s cross-hair to get dead on the target under all engagement phases either on static or moving targets. The PROTECTOR’s fire control solution gives continues accuracy and automatic adjustment of the line of bore both in super elevation and drift to ensure impact where the gunner aims the reticle, irrespective of range and speed of vehicle on the road or pitch. The gunner selects the decided ammunition and lays on the target. Engaging moving targets is no challenge for the PROTECTOR system. When tracking the target, the automatic pitch and roll compensation are continuously calculated compared to target range and speed with continuously ballistic calculations and lead angel compensation. The system also continuously compensates its vehicle pitch an roll, ensuring rapid engagement on target with high hit probability.
The PROTECTOR is superior in areas of reliability, safety and ability to tolerate extreme temperatures (Operation temperature for the all version weapon stations is from -46 to +65 o Celsius).reliability of delivery, management and logistics.
Four distinct product models
The PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Station was developed to ensure the protection of military personnel in armoured vehicles. Compatible with a wide range of small calibre weapons (such as the M2 0.5 cal (12.7 mm) machine gun, the M240B 7.62 mm machine gun, the M249 5.56 mm squad automatic weapon and the MK19 40 mm automatic grenade launcher), the PROTECTOR system features power integrated electro-optical sensors for target observation, as well as advanced ballistics computing and image processing.
The PROTECTOR remote weapon system family now comprises four distinct products: the original PROTECTOR NM 221 (which allows the user to reload ammunition from within the vehicle (specially designed for the Norwegian M113); M151 PROTECTOR; PROTECTOR Lite (designed for smaller vehicles and armoured trucks with smaller calibre weapons); The fifth land system, is the CROW- version and the Sea PROTECTOR, a navalized variant based on the M151, has already been tested by the Norwegian Coastal
Defence force with Hellfire missiles fired from Combat Boat 90The Sea PROTECTOR is designed to provide self-protection for naval vessels. Sea PROTECTOR is suited for naval ships and patrol craft of all types and classes. The Sea PROTECTOR has been sold to the Finish Army, and to the Norwegian Armed Forces. The system integrated on the Royal Norwegian Navy’s new Fritjof Nansen Frigate can be networked and operated from the Combat- and Bridge Systems. From this summer, HMS Fritjof Nansen frigate is operating in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean for deterrence of pirates. The Sea PROTECTORs onboard provides exceptional operation capabilities to counter asymmetric threats and enhances overall ship protection in the face of terrorism.
The RWS system provides execptinal capabilities for harbour defence. The PROTECTOR is also tested with the anti-tank missile Javelin.
At Eurosatory 2008, KONGSBERG displayed the version of PROTECTOR with a mock-up of M-72 rockets armament brackets for the M72 ASM – RC (Anti-Structure Munition – Reduced Caliber (designated PROTECTORRAM -Remotely fired Antistructure Munition). RAM is based on the well known M-72 system. This system has gone through numerous improvements over the years based on worldwide combat experience as well as new requirements from the users. The new RAM offers scalable effect in the target ranging from low collateral damage to maximum penetration.
The new warhead features an enhanced blast explosive to ensure maximum effect in structures. With an effective range of approximately 200m this represents the preferred choice for urban war fighting.
As part of co-operation between NAMMO and KONGSBERG, the RAM has been tested and integrated on Kongsberg’s battle proven PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Station while the operator remotely controls the system from a protected position inside the vehicle. These rockets are cheap, but good for combat in urban environments. The new RAM offers scalable effect in the target ranging from low collateral damage to maximum penetration.
M151 PROTECTOR
The M151 PROTECTOR provided to the U.S. Stryker brigades for their vehicles are currently in use within the U.S Armed forces. Variants of the M151 PROTECTOR systems has been delivered to 14 other nations. Weight of weapon station is about 135 kg and the height of the construction is 74, 9 cm. The ammunition container on the side has a space for 200 bullets (for the12.7 mm Machine Gun on this model). The tubes on the left and right sides are smoke grenade launchers. The weapon station has a rotating speed is 90 degrees per second. The elevation angle is from -20 degrees to +60, at approximately 70 degrees per second.
XM153 PROTECTOR – the weapon station selected for U.S. Army’s Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS)
The lasts version for the U.S. Army is named XM153 CROWS (see more below) this version is primarily based on the M151, but this version has a bigger ammunition container
(with a capacity for 400 rounds 12.7 mm bullets). It lacks smoke grenade launcher, which the Americans have replaced with a ballistic shield (side plates on both sides of the sensors). Machine guns like M2 0.5 cal (12,7 mm), the M240B 7.62 mm machine gun, the M249 5.56 mm squad automatic weapon can be mounted on the M151 and M153. Weight of weapon station is about 145 kg and height is 76, 2 cm above the roof.
As already mentioned above, PROTECTOR uses a 4-axis system that allows the camera’s Line of Sight (LOS) to be independent of the weapons Line of Bore. Theses four axes are: the main azimuth axis of the weapon station; the main elevation axis of the weapon and sight assembly; the sight axis azimuth; and the sight axis elevation.
Success for CROWS
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has reaffirmed its position as the world’s number one supplier of remote weapon systems after being selected, in competition, to deliver a variant of its best-selling PROTECTOR family to meet the needs of the US Army’s Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS II) programme. CROWS will enable military personnel to observe and/or engage threats from within the safe confines of the vehicle hull, and will be compatible with a variety of small calibre weapons including the M2 12.7 mm (0.5 cal) machine gun, the M240B 7.62 mm machine gun, the M249 5.56 mm squad automatic weapon and the MK19 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.
The system is being acquired to meet a need for a common remote weapon station to equip a wide variety of U.S. Army vehicle types, allowing the service to rationalise its current in-service inventory so as to reap benefits in training, support and future product development. Working under a five-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract potentially worth in excess of US$1 billion, KONGSBERG received an initial US$292.9 million order from the US Army Joint Munitions and Lethality Life Cycle Command, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, in August 2007 for the delivery of weapon stations, spare parts and support. The total scope of the five-year framework agreement will depend on future demand and annual allocations, but the company expects total production to amount to several thousand units. The selection for the CROWS II programme is the latest success for KONGSBERG’s PROTECTOR product in the U.S. Army. An earlier version, as describes above, designated M151, is already in service with U.S. Army Stryker brigades, with over 1,500 examples deployed to date. Launched into production in 2001, the PROTECTOR family is now in its fourth generation.
Suitable for deployment from a wide range of armoured personnel carriers, the system’s weapons and electro-optical sensors are mounted on a stabilised platform outside of the vehicle, while the operator controls the system from a protected position within. To meet the increased production volumes demanded by the CROWS requirement, KONGSBERG will progressively ramp up the level of in-country manufacture at its US facility in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
This second PROTECTOR production line will allow the company to accommodate the increased production throughput required to meet the CROWS contract, and complements recent investment to double existing manufacture capacity in Norway.
PROTECTOR Lite
This is a light version for weapons with low recoil like 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm Machine Gun. Its lower weight compared with the “brother’s” 128 kg – is about 74 kg on vehicle roof with its sensors and laser range finder. This allows this weapon station to be mounted on smaller vehicles. The height is 61 cm above the roof. PROTECTOR Lite is designed for low recoil weapons and can be installed on any type of platform. The platform is fully stabilized and provides unmatched observation and engagement capabilities. PROTECTOR Lite has a high degree of commonality with the proven M151 PROTECTOR and PROTECTOR CROWS.
The thermal Imager has dual field of view, autofocus and e-zoom. The Colour Daylight camera allows a wide field of view up to 45 degrees while observing, and more than 30 times optical magnified close-up view of the target area when identifying and engaging a long distance target.
The eye-safe Laser Range Finder provides extremely accurate range measurements, providing the PROTECTOR first round hit on target capability. The weapon station is fielded and combat proven with an excellent reliability record. The elevation range from -20 to +75 degrees is very useable for combat operations in urban and Mountainous terrain. The rotation speed is 150 degrees per second. The elevating angle is from -20 to +75 degrees, and elevation speed is 120 degrees a second.
Training
KONGSBERG provides a complete training solution for the PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Station that can be easily adapted and scaled to meet individual customers’ needs according to the level and extent of the training desired (ranging from basic gunnery skills to full tactical team training).
PROTECTOR is a mature front-end product based on experience from more than 9 million hours in combat, and 19 million hours of operation with proven unprecedented Operation Readiness Rate (ORR) of more than 99%. The basic feature of PROTECTOR’s aim and fire function is Detached Line of Sight (DLOS). Precision kill capabilities inherent in the systems help conserve ammunition and
The Protector durin a firesupportmission in Afghanistan.
limit the risk of inflicting collateral damage. It enables the gunner’s to keep the sights on target, independent of ballistic solution for the weapon/ammunition in use. CROWS will enable military personnel to observe and/or engage threats from within the safe armoured interior unexposed to hostile fire. The system is being acquired to meet a need for a common remote weapon station to equip a wide variety of vehicle types, allowing the service to rationalise its current in-service inventory so as to reap benefits in training, support and future product development that will be compatible with a variety of small calibre weapons highly reliable and exceptionally robust. The system is lightweight, easy to integrate and simple to use, and will remain the subject of further engineering development for years to come. The product itself will be more and more in demand simply because of its capabilities.
