Rafael to provide Remote Weapon Stations to Lithuania

Lithuania's BOXER vehicles will receive Rafael's Samson Mk II Remote Weapon Stations with Spike launchers. Rafael will serve as sub-contractor under ARTEC

Rafael to provide Remote Weapon Stations to Lithuania

Photo: Rafael

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has won a contract to supply its advanced Samson Mk II Remote Weapon Stations to the Lithuanian armed forces, as part of a deal that was signed to provide Lithuania with 88 high-protection BOXER vehicles starting in 2017.

The Samson Mk II is a dual-axis, gyro-stabilized, dual-sight (Gunner and Commander) remote-controlled weapon system capable of mounting multiple weapons. The Samson Mk II offers significant improvements, including lower silhouette, add-on armor protection, and improved hit accuracy, boosted crew survivability with under-armor reloading and increased rigidity.

Rafael will deliver the Lithuanian army Samson Mk II RWS systems with a 30mm automatic cannon, 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, with Rafael's Spike LR (Long Range) ATGM launchers carrying two missiles and eight smoke grenade launchers on each station. This will provide the Lithuanian armed forces improved lethality, increased mission flexibility in both urban and open terrain scenarios, with maximum survivability for the crew and vehicle.

Deployed in over 25 countries, Rafael RWS offered in four land configurations and two naval configurations (Typhoon Weapon Stations). Samson RWS support diverse, interchangeable weapons and sensors including 5.56/7.62/12.7 mm machine guns, 40 mm automatic grenade launchers, anti-tank missiles, observation pods, and non-lethal capabilities.

Mr. Moshe Elazar, Executive VP and Head of Rafael's Land and Naval Systems Division said, "We are proud to be an integral part in Lithuania's most significant land force program with our remote weapon stations and Spike missiles, and to provide the Lithuanian army with a major force-multiplier."

In this contract, Rafael is serving as a sub-contractor under ARTEC, a joint venture between Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall, which will deliver the vehicles with medium-calibre weaponry in a remote-controlled turret.