The Protector RWS is a remotely controlled weapons station (RWS) 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. [1]
The Protector RWS is a remotely controlled weapons station (RWS) 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. [1]
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:
Several versions of Protector have been developed with more than 20,000 units sold around the world in service with 23 countries. [4] 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. [5]
The Protector family includes the RS2, RS4 and RS6 Remote Weapon Stations, with weapons from light machine guns (5.56 mm) to light cannons (30×113mmB M230 chain gun). [6] It also includes the Remote Turrets, designed for medium caliber cannons like 30×173mm and 40×180mm (Mk44 Bushmaster II).
| Name | Former name / version / program |
|---|---|
| RS2 | Protector Lite, Protector Super Lite |
| RS4 | M151, M153 (CROWS), Protector nordic |
| RS4 low profile | RWS Low profile, M153 (CROWS) |
| RS4 naval | RWS naval, Sea Protector |
| RS6 | RWS LW30, M153 (CROWS) |
| RT20 | MCT-30 (Medium Caliber Turret 30 mm), Protector Medium Caliber RWS |
| RT40 | MCT-30 (Medium Caliber Turret 30 mm) Protector Medium Caliber RWS |
| RT60 | MCT-40 (Medium Caliber Turret 40 mm) Protector Medium Caliber RWS |
The system also features 4 M6 Smoke Grenade Dischargers. Specifications (excluding weapons and ammo): [7]
M153 Protector is designed to meet CROWS II requirement. Specifications (excluding weapons and ammo): [8]
Protector Dual RWS mounts two weapons. It provides a dual user functionality (Gunner / Commander). The coaxial weapon is mounted on the same axis as the main gun. [13]
 | This section needs additional citations for verification .(October 2019) |
Australia – ASLAV PC vehicle [17] 
Canada – 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. [18] [19] 
Croatia – Patria AMV, 175 [20] 
Czech Republic – LMV 
Denmark – Used on Piranha V vehicles. [21] 
Estonia – CV90 family [22] 
Finland – Patria AMV vehicle
France – Renault VAB 
India – TATA Kestrel 
Indonesia – KMC Komando Fast Assault Craft & KMC-38M Patrol Vessel (Sea Protector Mk50) [23] [22] 
Ireland – Mowag Piranha IIIH CRV and RG-32M LTV 
Japan – Currently only a few for testing [22] [24] 
Kuwait – VBL Mk 2 [25] 
Lithuania – used on Joint Light Tactical Vehicles. [26] 
Luxembourg – Dingo 2 vehicle
Netherlands – Boxer vehicle 
North Macedonia – Unknown [22] 
Norway – CV90 family (Protector Nordic), NM205F3 APC (Protector NM221), Iveco LMV (Protector Lite), Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate (Sea Protector), HNoMS Maud and Skjold-class corvette (Sea Protector)
Portugal – Pandur II [27] 
Qatar – to be used on 490 VCBI IFVs. [28] 
Romania – Unknown [22] [24] 
Slovenia – Patria AMV 
Switzerland – Piranha I vehicle cdmt, Mowag Duro IIIP and canot-patrouilleur 16
Sweden – Sisu Pasi, Patria AMV, Archer Artillery System, RG-32M 
Thailand – Unknown [22] [24] 
Taiwan – Unknown [22] [24] 
Ukraine - Stryker [29] 
United Kingdom – used on Mastiff vehicles in Iraq and Afghanistan, Ajax family of vehicles
United States – Stryker, M1A2 Abrams, and numerous other vehicles
The Stryker is a family of eight-wheeled armored fighting vehicles derived from the Canadian LAV III, itself derived from the Swiss Mowag Piranha. Stryker vehicles are produced by General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada (GDLS-C) for the United States Army in a plant in London, Ontario. It has four-wheel drive (8×4) and can be switched to all-wheel drive (8×8).
The Patria AMV is an 8×8 multi-role military vehicle produced by the Finnish defence industry company Patria.
The Mowag Piranha is a family of armoured fighting vehicles designed by the Swiss company Mowag.
The Boxer is a multirole armoured fighting vehicle designed by an international consortium to accomplish a number of operations through the use of installable mission modules. The governments participating in the Boxer programme have changed as the programme has developed. The Boxer vehicle is produced by the ARTEC GmbH industrial group, and the programme is being managed by OCCAR. ARTEC GmbH is based in Munich; its parent companies are Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH and Rheinmetall Military Vehicles GmbH on the German side, and Rheinmetall Defence Nederland B.V. for the Netherlands. Overall, Rheinmetall has a 64% stake in the joint venture.
The M230 Cannon is a 30 mm (30×113 mm), single-barrel electrically-driven autocannon, using external electrical power to cycle the weapon between shots. It was designed and manufactured originally by Hughes Helicopters in Culver City, California. As of 2019, it is produced by Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems.
The Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) is an eight-wheeled armoured reconnaissance vehicle of the LAV II family used by the Australian Army. It was built by General Dynamics Land Systems Canada, and developed from the U.S. Marine Corps' LAV-25 and Canadian Army's Bison armoured fighting vehicles.
The Mk44 Bushmaster II is a 30 mm chain gun manufactured by Northrop Grumman. It is a derivative of the 25 mm M242 Bushmaster, and uses 70% of the same parts as the M242 while increasing the firepower by as much as 50% with the 20% increase in caliber size. The barrel is chromium-plated for extended life. The gun uses standard GAU-8 Avenger ammunition that is available in API, HEI and APFSDS-T variants.
The Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie or VBCI is a French Infantry fighting vehicle designed and manufactured by GIAT Industries and Renault Trucks Defense to replace the AMX-10P. The first units entered active service with the French Army in 2008. 630 units were ordered and full delivery was completed in 2018. They are available in two core variants, the VCI infantry fighting vehicle and the VPC command post vehicle.
A remote controlled weapon station (RCWS), remotely operated weapon system (ROWS), or remote weapon system (RWS), is a remotely operated light or medium-caliber weapon system, often equipped with a fire-control system, that can be installed on a ground combat vehicle or sea- and air-based combat platform.
The Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) is a series of remote weapon stations used by the US military on its armored vehicles and ships. It allows weapon operators to engage targets without leaving the protection of their vehicle. The US military has fielded both the M101 CROWS and M153 CROWS II systems.
The M1126 infantry carrier vehicle (ICV) is an armored personnel carrier and part of the Stryker family of vehicles (derived from the Canadian LAV III/Swiss MOWAG Piranha IIIH 8x8) used by the United States Army and Royal Thai Army. Models with the double V-hull upgrade are known as the M1256 ICVV.
The KTO Rosomak is an 8×8 multi-role military vehicle produced by Rosomak S.A., a Polish Armaments Group company, in Siemianowice Śląskie. The vehicle is a licensed variant of the Finnish Patria AMV.
The CM-32 "Clouded Leopard", officially Taiwan Infantry Fighting Vehicle (TIFV), is an eight-wheeled armoured vehicle currently being produced for the Republic of China Army. It is based on the 6x6 CM-31 designed by Timoney Technology Limited of Ireland and is further developed by the Ordnance Readiness Development Center.
The Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS), also known as Katlanit is a remote weapon system (RWS) that enables a variety of devices to be operated automatically or by remote control, including 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, and 12.7 mm .50 BMG machine guns, 40 mm automatic grenade launchers, anti-tank missiles and observation pods.
The Nanuk is a remote weapon station (RWS) used for light and medium calibre weapons which can be installed on any type of armoured vehicles or brown water patrol vessel. It is designed by Rheinmetall Canada, in Quebec, Canada. The word Nanuk (ᓇᓄᖅ) means "polar bear" in Inuktitut.
The Textron TAPV is an armoured car currently in use by the Canadian Army. It is essentially a heavier armoured upgrade of the M1117 armoured security vehicle, developed for use by the military police of the US Armed Forces.
The VPK-7829 Bumerang is a modular amphibious wheeled infantry fighting vehicle and armored personnel carrier being developed by Russian Military Industrial Company (MIC) for the Russian army.
The K808/806 White Tiger wheeled armored personnel carrier (APC) is family of 8x8 and 6x6 armored vehicles. Developed by Hyundai Rotem as a private venture in 2012, the Korean Army declared a plan to acquire 600 6×6 and 8×8 wheeled APCs in order to help build rapid response forces molded after U.S. Stryker combat brigades, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
The LAV 6, sometimes written as LAV 6.0 or LAV VI, is the fourth generation of LAV, and is based on the LAV III. The first vehicles were delivered in 2013 and after testing entered service in 2016. The Canadian Army plans to replace its entire LAV fleet of various LAV II and LAV III variants with the LAV 6. The vehicle is being acquired in two main variants: a fighting vehicle equipped with the 25mm cannon seen on the LAV II and LAV III, and a support variant labelled the Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV).
The BOV 8x8 Patria is an 8×8 multi-role military vehicle produced by Patria Land oy., a Konštrukta – Defence company, in Dubnica nad Váhom with cooperation with DMD group and ZTS špeciál. The vehicle is a licensed variant of the Finnish Patria AMVxp.
