Protector RWS

The Protector RWS is a remotely controlled weapons station 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.

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:

M2 Browning 12.7×99.50 BMG heavy machine gun
NSV 12.7×108 heavy machine gun
M240/FN MAG 7.62×51mm NATO general-purpose machine gun
M249/FN Minimi 5.56×45mm NATO light machine gun
MK19 40×53 mm automatic grenade launcher
H&K GMG 40×53 mm automatic grenade launcher
XM307 Advanced Crew Served Weapon
Javelin anti-tank guided missile
Hellfire anti-tank guided missile
Versions

Several versions of Protector have been developed with more than 20,000 units sold around the world in service with 23 countries. 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.

Overview

The Protector family includes the RS2, RS4 and RS6 Remote Weapon Stations, with weapons from light machine guns to light cannons. It also includes the Remote Turrets, designed for medium caliber cannons like 30×173mm and 40×180mm.

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

M151 versions

M151 Protector – deployed with the first Stryker brigades
M151 E1 – includes improved thermal cameras
M151 E2 – stabilized version
Several country specific adaptations
Weight : 135
Height : 749
Operating temperature : −46 to +65
Storage temperature : −51 to +71

The system also features 4 M6 Smoke Grenade Dischargers. Specifications :

M153 Protector

M153 Protector is designed to meet CROWS II requirement. Specifications :

Weight : 172
Height : 762
Operating temperature : −46 to +65
Storage temperature : −51 to +71
Other variants

;Protector Lite
;Protector Super Lite
;Protector Medium Caliber RWS
;Sea Protector
;Protector Dual RWS
Protector Dual RWS mounts two weapons. It provides a dual user functionality. The coaxial weapon is mounted on the same axis as the main gun.
;Protector with Non Lethal Effectors
;Protector Nordic
;Protector NM221

Users

– ASLAV PC vehicle
– Currently installed on the RG-31 and TAPV fleet. Additional units are on order for integration on the ACSV fleet, with deliveries starting in late 2020.
– Patria AMV, 175
– LMV
– Used on Piranha V vehicles.
– CV90 family
– Patria AMV vehicle
– Renault VAB
– TATA Kestrel
– KMC Komando Fast Assault Craft & KMC-38M Patrol Vessel
– Mowag Piranha IIIH CRV and RG-32M LTV
– Currently only a few for testing
– VBL Mk 2
– used on Joint Light Tactical Vehicles.
– Dingo 2 vehicle
– Boxer vehicle
– Unknown
– CV90 family, NM205F3 APC, Iveco LMV, Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate, HNoMS Maud and Skjold-class corvette
– Pandur II
– to be used on 490 VCBI IFVs.
– Unknown
– Patria AMV
– Piranha I vehicle cdmt, Mowag Duro IIIP and canot-patrouilleur 16
– Sisu Pasi, Patria AMV, Archer Artillery System, RG-32M
– Stryker
– Unknown
- Stryker
– used on Mastiff vehicles in Iraq and Afghanistan, Ajax family of vehicles
– Stryker, M1A2 Abrams, and numerous other vehicles. Protector RWS made by Kongsberg Protech Systems USA.