The above video was put out by Rafael for their version of a heavy (30 mm plus anti-tank missiles) RWS system for IFVs.
What caught my attention and blew my mind was the weight reduction.
I just didn't expect it to be so dramatic.
The manned turret is dead. Long live the RWS.
Imagine what the weight reduction could be if the Marine Corps changed direction, teamed with the Jordanians and put the Falcon Turret on the M1 Abrams?
But more to the point.
We're heading into defense budget hell. If we're going to be in the upgrade mode then one possible starting point could be switching out turrets.
Like the vid shows, the weight reduction is rather dramatic, the firepower equal or greater and with proper sensors and track/tank commander training we should lose little to no situational awareness.
Doesnt the US Army have like 2000 M-1 Abrams collecting dust in the desert of California?
ReplyDeleteHow about an american BMPT «Terminator»?
And,has we are in the topic of budget reductions,how about an american Namer?Turn the stored vehicles in to APCs like Israel does with so much success.
It really looks like the way to go...
I saw a picture posted on your homepage shown a stryker vehicle with a large turret and gun attached to the chassis. It looks awesome. Mind to tell me what is it?
ReplyDeleteI think modern RWS exposed to small arms fire and arty splinters. 152-155 arty shell is most common threat to anyone...
ReplyDeleteSol,
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly what I proposed in the thread about Active Protection Systems.
I assume it's possible to design a gun pod (with an autoloader sourcing rounds from the hull) that's resilient to plunging fire and say 30mm cannon fire; such a pod need not have full 360 traverse and particularly high elevation.