By Julian Nettlefold,
Turrets and Turret Technology
There are now a plethora of turrets and turret technology on the market as was visible at Eurosatory earlier this year. Technology enhancements and new displays were offered by such companies as CurtissWright, Moog, IEE, KME and Oxley.
Boxer APC With Rheinmetall LANCE 30mm two-man turret
The Boxer armoured transport vehicle is being produced under a bi-national programme. At Eurosatory 2014, Rheinmetall presented for the first time the Boxer IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) variant, this equipped with the Rheinmetall LANCE 30mm two-man turret. Combining the Boxer inherent high level of protection and the unique mobility with the latest turret technology, the IFV variant presents state-of-the-art capabilities to face current requirements.
The Boxer IFV variant, equipped with the LANCE turret system is completely in line with the modular Boxer philosophy as the LANCE turret itself features a new modular design. It thereby ensures maximum flexibility and an optimized capability for further upgrades for changing requirements. Also the protection of the turret is adaptable for a wide range of missions and to face different threats.
Cockerill® 3000 Series Based on an unprecedented modular concept, the Cockerill® 3000 Series is a single platform enabling guns of different calibers and their corresponding technological modules to be integrated onto the same turret: automatic 25 mm, 30 mm, 30/40 mm, 35 mm and 50 mm caliber guns, along with direct fire guns of 90 and 105 mm, which are also able to fire anti-tank missiles.
Modularity and flexibility Rapid interchangeability of crews and weapons, unique operational capacity, a very high level of common configuration… all of these qualities enable our modular Series 3000 Cockerill® turrets to cover all missions and objectives on the battlefield: from engaging fighting tanks, bunkers or helicopters, to intervening in combats known as asymmetrical, not forgetting urban conflicts.
Modularity and common configuration are two unique characteristics which significantly optimize both total cost of ownership and the operational flexibility of our systems. These systems in particular benefit from Agueris® solutions, unique to John Cockerill Defense simulation solutions. These enable precise and high quality training, both in virtual immersed cockpits and in on-board simulators. These Cockerill® 3000 Series benefit in particular from the simulation solutions of John Cockerill Defense supplied under the Agueris® brand. These enable training and practice on both virtual immersive cockpits and embedded simulators.
KONGSBERG PROTECTOR RT60
PROTECTOR RT60 is designed for optimizing lethality and protection on fighting vehicles.
The PROTECTOR family includes three Remote Turret (RT) variants, the RT20, RT40 and RT60. The systems can be tailored to meet customerspecific requirements, – including key elements like protection level, sensor performance and whether operated by a single or multiple operators. Despite their differences all variants share great commonality in terms of system components and fire control architecture – the latter allowing all to be wirelessly operated when integrated on an unmanned vehicle. Like all systems in the PROTECTOR family, the Remote Turrets benefit from KONGSBERG’s 20+ years’ experience as the world’s leading provider of remote weapon systems. The RT60 is the Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) variant in the PROTECTOR family. The system is designed for optimizing lethality and protection on fighting vehicles and can be fitted with elements like an ATMG launcher, Commanders Independent Weapon Station, Laser Warning System, Active Protection System etc. The RT60 shares great commonality with the technology in both the RT20 and RT40 variants.
The PROTECTOR Remote Turret
The PROTECTOR Remote Turret provides highly accurate firepower. It is remotely controlled and operated from a protected position inside the vehicle compartment, – enhancing crew safety. The turret can be accessed and reloaded from under armour and the linkless ammunition handling system provides superior reliability compared to link fed systems. The remote turret eliminates the need for a basket taking up space inside the vehicle, – facilitating more space to transport troops or mission essential equipment, and reduces weight for better mobility. Fire Control Capabilities The Remote Turrets include a combat proven fire control system based on fielded PROTECTOR weapon systems. The system automatically performs ballistic computations compensating for the lead angle, cant, tilt and vehicle motion, making targeting easier in the most challenging scenarios. The network-based fire control architecture enables wireless operation of the system – relevant for unmanned/robotic vehicles. Through the KONGSBERG Integrated Combat Solution (ICS) the turret gains access to a number of enhanced lethality features like automated precision Hunter-Killer and target sharing between vehicles.
