Kongsberg has been awarded a contract to supply additional Protector remote weapon stations (RWS) to the Swiss Army.
Covering supply of unspecified Protector systems, along with logistics, the NOK196m ($31.6m) contract represents the fourth major Protector RWS contract between the Swiss Army and Kongsberg since 2006.
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The systems delivered under the contract are expected to support the army’s RP13 GMTF protected personnel transport vehicle programme.
Jointly manufactured by Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace and Thales, the Protector is a line of combat proven systems designed to enhance military troop protection and combat capabilities by enabling target acquisition and engagement from safer distances in the battlefield.
Available in six different variants, including M151, M153, Sea, Lite, Super Lite and Medium Caliber RWS, the Protector product line can be precisely operated from inside the vehicle to boost the gunner’s protection.
Equipped with a stabilised firing platform, M6 smoke grenade dischargers, a fire control system and control grips, the system can be mounted on an array of platforms, including the M249 and M240 machine guns, Browning M2, Mk19 40mm automatic grenade launcher and Javelin anti-tank guided missile (ATGM).
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By GlobalDataManufacturing work under the contract is scheduled to be carried out at the company’s facility in Norway, while deliveries will start from February 2015.
Apart from Switzerland, the remotely-controlled system is also being used by 17 armies worldwide, including Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Ireland, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, as well as the US and the UK.
Manufacturing work under the contract is scheduled to be carried out at the company’s facility in Norway, while deliveries will start from February 2015.
Image: M153 Protector RWS mounted on the US Army’s M1126 Stryker vehicle. Photo: courtesy of Mike Buytas.
