AUSA 2017: Rafael unveils the Samson Dual 30mm M230LF

Rafael will display both Samson RWS Dual with M230LF and Trophy Light active protection system on Oshkosh Defense JLTV

AUSA 2017: Rafael unveils the Samson Dual 30mm M230LF

The Samson 30 mm M230LF RWS and Trophy LV on Oshkosh JLTV (Photo: Rafael)

AUSA 2017: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems unveils the new Samson Dual M230LF RWS.

With over 5,400 systems delivered to more than 25 countries worldwide, Rafael’s RWSs have been integrated with a wide variety of weapons (7.62 mm up to 40 mm) and sensors, and are adapted to all types of ground vehicles and naval platforms. Rafael's Samson Remote-Controlled Weapon Stations are combat-proven in diverse theatres of operation and climatic regions around the globe.

The new Samson Dual 30 mm M230LF RWS is designed to address the US Army and Marine Corps operational needs, including low-intensity urban conflict, enemy Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and dismounted enemy forces.

The Dual M230LF is imbued with all of the functionality and performance of the Samson RWS Family with significant improvements, including armor protection and under-armor reloading capabilities which boost crew survivability. The Samson Dual M230LF RWS mounts two main and secondary armaments, including a 30 mm M230LF cannon and 7.62 mm Coaxial General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG). This enables the force to effectively close the fire loop with varying degrees of fire-power, from short range dismounted personnel to medium range Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs).

The lethality provided by the Samson Dual M230LF firepower is boosted by its high-precision fire capabilities. The RWS is gyro-stabilized on two axes (elevation and traverse). This feature, supported by sophisticated algorithms, a 3rd Generation Fire Control System (FCS) and automatic target tracker, enables accurate shooting-on-the-move.

The Samson Dual M230LF low-silhouette design and RWS "shell-shaped" armor protection can easily accommodate protective armor ranging from STANAG Level 1 to 4 and reducing in overall platform vulnerability on the battlefield

Rafael will display its Samson RWS Dual Stabilized Remote Weapon Systems (RWS) with M230 LF and the lighter APS version Trophy LV (light vehicle) on an Oshkosh Defense JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) at AUSA 2017, Washington DC.

The Oshkosh JLTV is the leading vehicle program for both the US Army and Marines Corps, with growing international interest as well. The combination of Rafael’s Samson Dual with 30mm M230LF RWS and the Trophy LV solution enables the highest level of protection, hostile fire detection and greater lethality, increasing operational capabilities and allowing troops to carry out missions with a higher flexibility, maneuverability and confidence.

This integration is the second time Oshkosh and Rafael are presenting an advanced integration. In 2015, the Oshkosh Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) was fitted with Trophy-LV APS and RCWS encompassing .50 Cal. and Spike ATGM launcher. This time Rafael’s RWS solution brings new approach towards the Army’s request for a Stabilized Remote Weapon Systems (RWS) with 30 mm M230 LF.

Trophy is a family of situational awareness and active protection hard kill systems that operate in three major stages: Threat detection and threat tracking, followed by hard kill countermeasure activation and threat neutralization. 

The operational requirement to equip armored vehicles with an APS is dictated by the growing proliferation of advanced Anti-armor weapons. Trophy-LV has the proven capability to defeat advanced threats, coupled with handling all safety considerations of an autonomous shooting system, an issue that has raised concerns among potential customers for many years.

Trophy-LV APS capabilities have benefitted from decades of experience at Rafael, developing and integrating APS’s. The principles supporting Trophy LV are similar to those of Trophy‑HV, an IDF combat fleet APS standard.

Trophy‑HV has so far saved dozens of soldiers' lives, ever since its first deployment in August 2009 and especially in Operation "Protective Edge" (summer 2014), where numerous anti-armor threats of different kinds were launched at Merkava IV tanks equipped with Trophy. None of those potentially lethal attacks caused casualties to IDF troops. Rafael’s experience is unmatched with more than 500,000 of operational hours, making it the only mature operational APS anywhere in the world.

According to US Army officials, these capabilities have been tested extensively in 2017 by the US government, confirming previous claims.

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