A version of the US Army TUSK upgrade kit for the M-1A2 was
on display at AUSA 2007. This version is fitted with two Remote
Weapon Stations and a second coax machine gun, mounted over
the main 120mm gun. To further improve the tank's performance
in asymmetric warfare GD ATP introduced two types of ammunition
for the main gun – the M-1028
Canister round and a high explosive round, coproduced with
Nammo. (more...)
A stabilized miniature imaging platform was demonstrated by
Carl Zeiss Optronics from Germany. The system uses a dual sensor
(CCD and an uncooled thermal infrared imager) mounted on a stabilized,
swiveling platform optimized for near-field observation. The
system has been selected for installation on Leopard 2, modified
for Peace Support Operations (PSO), where two systems will be
installed on the left and right sides of the turret, providing
360 deg. panoramic coverage for the crew. The system will be
provided with an automatic motion detection system providing
threat warning. An optional laser rangefinder complements the
system, by installation on armored fighting vehicles, offering
360 deg. view. The system's weight is less than five kilograms
therefore facilitating installation anywhere on the vehicle,
including on elevated masts. The stabilization enables the crew
to view images on the monitor even when the platform is traveling
at high speed.
BAE
Systems demonstrated its Watch-6 vehicle perimeter peripheral
surveillance system, effectively covering the vehicle's surroundingfrom
positions at the four corners of the vehicle. The sensor includes
uncooled thermal and video cameras, for day and night surveillanceunder
all visibility conditions. Check-6, a camera integrated into
teh vehicle's headlights and tail lights.
A
different concept of a panoramic vision system was demonstrated
by Elbit Systems, introducing the 'See Through Armor' (STA),
a panoramic observation system which can be embedded into new
armor, or installed as 'add-on' to existing vehicles, providing
the vehicle crews with an omni-directional combat scene seen
from within the armored vehicle, when the crew is 'buttoned
in' with hatches closed. An equally realistic view can be obtained
from an unmanned platform. The objective of the system is to
improve the crew's situational awareness under all conditions,
including extended 'silent watch' missions in areas where close-quarter
defense is imperative (including urban areas, jungle etc), where
the techniques, tactics and procedures (TTP) dictate maximum
force protection with the crew remaining 'buttoned up' inside
their vehicles for hours. Under such conditions, limited visibility
creates 'dead zones' attracting attack by hostiles, exploiting
the limited visibility by the crew, to hit the vehicle with
RPGs or lay down belly-striking explosive charges activated
from a distance.
A
complimentary sensor that can be applied to panoramic vision
is the 'Spotlite
M' electro-optical fire locator from RAFAEL Defense Systems.
The system, unveiled at AUSA 07 provides fully panoramic coverage
of the vehicle's surrounding, with superimposed cueing indicating
potential threats based on detection and localization of fire
sources, within few seconds from a gunshot or rocket-launch
occurrence. RAFAEL plans to complete an integrated vehicular
system before year's end.
Panoramic vision systems complement remotely operated
weapon stations currently installed on many armored combat vehicles.
AUSA 2007 was dominated by the Kongsberg Defense's Protector
Remote Weapon Station (RWS), recently selected by the US Army
for teh CROWS program. The system provides troops with the ability
to acquire and engage targets while travelling inside a vehicle,
protected by its armor. It is designed to mount on a variety
of vehicle platforms, support weapons such as the Mk19 grenade
machine gun with 96 grenades ammunition capacity. The system
can also mount a .50 Caliber M2 machine gun with 500 rounds,
M240B machine gun with 1,000 rounds and M249 Squad Automatic
Weapon (SAW) with 2,000 round capacity. Protector RWS were also
demonstrated at AUSA 07 on the M1A2
tank (operated by the commander and loader).
The sensor suite employs a daytime video camera,
thermal camera and laser rangefinder, enabling target engagement
under day and night conditions. The system features programmable
target reference points for multiple locations, programmable
sector surveillance scanning and setting of multiple, restricted
no-fire zones. The optronic system enables the gunner to view
the target independent of gun elevation. Other features include
auto- tracking; auto-lead and auto-scan functions.
The new Protector succeeded the Raven, developed
and produced by Recon Optical, originally produced to meet US
Army's CROWS requirement.
The system mount has three-axis stabilization for the weapon
and sensor assembly, allowing on-the-move target acquisition
and fire-burst target engagement. The system also supports manual
emergency backup. Potential enhancement includes the integration
of sniper location systems and other weapons. The Protector
weighs 305 lbs (unloaded,
unarmored) and protrudes 28" above deck. The system can
be folded to reduce height by 10" on transit.
The Army may have a requirement for an even lighter
remotely controlled weapon mount, designed for vehicles with
minimal payload availability such as the HMMWV, as well as heavy
trucks. This mount is designed for medium and light weapons
such as M240B and M249.
One candidate for this platform is the ROI Lightning,
weighing less than 200 lbs (above the roof), including weapon
and
ammunition. Lightning is fitted with day and night optics. Also
evaluated are the integration of CROWS-Lightning and the PD
Cue 4 corner acoustic gunshot detection system, offering complete
threat detection and engagement capability. Two additional lightweight
weapon stations at AUSA were Rafael's Samson Junior and Elbit
Systems ILAW.
The Samson is a lightweight member of the Samson family of RWS,
designed specifically for light weapons such as the M240/M249
class weapons.
BAE
Systems demonstrated its Watch-6 vehicle perimeter peripheral
surveillance system, effectively covering the vehicle's surroundingfrom
positions at the four corners of the vehicle. The sensor includes
uncooled thermal and video cameras, for day and night surveillanceunder
all visibility conditions. Check-6, a camera integrated into
teh vehicle's headlights and tail lights.
A
different concept of a panoramic vision system was demonstrated
by Elbit Systems, introducing the 'See Through Armor' (STA),
a panoramic observation system which can be embedded into new
armor, or installed as 'add-on' to existing vehicles, providing
the vehicle crews with an omni-directional combat scene seen
from within the armored vehicle, when the crew is 'buttoned
in' with hatches closed. An equally realistic view can be obtained
from an unmanned platform. The objective of the system is to
improve the crew's situational awareness under all conditions,
including extended 'silent watch' missions in areas where close-quarter
defense is imperative (including urban areas, jungle etc), where
the techniques, tactics and procedures (TTP) dictate maximum
force protection with the crew remaining 'buttoned up' inside
their vehicles for hours. Under such conditions, limited visibility
creates 'dead zones' attracting attack by hostiles, exploiting
the limited visibility by the crew, to hit the vehicle with
RPGs or lay down belly-striking explosive charges activated
from a distance.
A
complimentary sensor that can be applied to panoramic vision
is the 
camera,
thermal camera and laser rangefinder, enabling target engagement
under day and night conditions. The system features programmable
target reference points for multiple locations, programmable
sector surveillance scanning and setting of multiple, restricted
no-fire zones. The optronic system enables the gunner to view
the target independent of gun elevation. Other features include
auto- tracking; auto-lead and auto-scan functions. 
(unloaded,
unarmored) and protrudes 28" above deck. The system can
be folded to reduce height by 10" on transit.
and
ammunition. Lightning is fitted with day and night optics. Also
evaluated are the integration of CROWS-Lightning and the PD
Cue 4 corner acoustic gunshot detection system, offering complete
threat detection and engagement capability. Two additional lightweight
weapon stations at AUSA were Rafael's Samson Junior and Elbit
Systems
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