Czech APCs to Carry RAFAEL’s RCWS-30
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During DID’s coverage of the Steyr Pandur II’s $1 billion contract win in The Czech Republic, DID noticed and described RAFAEL’s RCWS-30 as the weapons system mounted on top of Steyr’s press release photo. As DID noted, the system had been tested on both the Pandur II and Patria’s Armored Modular Vehicle (AMV) during the Czech competition, even though it had qualified on Finland’s own AMVs [PDF format] in September 2005.
The Czech Republic’s military modernization continues. RAFAEL has now confirmed [PDF format] that its RCWS-30 Remote Controlled Weapon Station has been selected to equip the Czech Pandur IIs, giving APC crews full visual and fire control from inside their vehicles.
Delivery will take place between 2007-2012, and the entire contract amounts to $120 Million…
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The pictured systems above include a 30mm ATK Mk.44 cannon, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and two Spike-LR multi-purpose missiles, as well as various thermal sensors, other optics, and defensive systems. The system is equipped with a 3rd generation fire control system with observation day and night system compatible with the SPIKE requirements, stabilization system, and an automatic tracker system for fire on the move capability. In addition the RCWS-30 can be enslaved to any external director. There is a patent pending on the mechanism it uses to fold down for air transport.
The overall fighting suite RAFAEL is contracted for comprises the RCWS (Remote Control Weapon System) family (RCWS-30 with SPIKE launcher and RCWS-12.7), SPIKE LR Multi-Purpose-Guided-Missiles (that will be supplied by Eurospike GmbH) with a range of up to 4km, and add-on armor for the PANDUR II (RAFAEL already supplies active armor for US Bradley vehicles et. al.).
The total is 92 Samson RCWS-30, 78 of which will be equipped with Spike-LR missiles; and 47 Mini-Samson RCWS units that carry 7.62mm/12.7mm weapons instead.
RAFAEL will cooperate with VOP026 and other local companies for local integration and manufacturing parts of the systems. See Feb 19, 2006 corporate release.
