Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace demonstrated its remote weapons systems to the US Army at its Maneuver Center for Excellence, Fort Benning, Georgia, from 14-15 July.
A pair of light combat vehicles and two unmanned ground vehicles were used during the demonstration. Kongsberg fielded its CROWS-Javelin (CROWS-J) and Protector RS6 Remote Weapon Station (RWS), which were networked through a Common Protector Interface (CPI).
QinetiQ North America’s Robotic Combat Vehicle-Light (RCV-L) unmanned vehicle was among the platforms used.
Kongsberg’s Protector RS6 platform demonstrated the firing of an XM914 (30x113mm) from a lightweight, Flyer Defense Ground Mobility Vehicle (GMV). The RS6 RWS is the system selected by the US Marine Corps for the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) programme. This firing followed immediately after the successful firing of Javelin anti-tank missiles from the same systems for the US Army at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama in May.
This also was the first ever demonstration where multiple targets were engaged using multiple unmanned platforms simultaneously.
Scott Burk, Kongsberg’s vice president of business development stated: “We wanted to demonstrate new capabilities – rather than competencies we’ve long ago qualified for the Department of Defense – and we are pleased the engagements were flawless.”
by Andrew Drwiega
