General Dynamics, Rafael team for RWS

General Dynamics has announced that its Armament and Technical Products business unit has teamed with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to offer the Samson line of Remote Weapons Stations (RWS) to the US military.

Together the companies will offer four variants of the Samson family of modular RWS, which support various weapons including 5.56mm to .50 calibre machine guns, 40mm grenade launchers and cannons up to 40mm, and can easily be integrated onto new or existing light to heavy combat vehicles.

These RWS are designed to allow a gunner to remain protected inside the vehicle while operating a weapon remotely. The larger variant is lighter than manned turrets and does not require penetration into the vehicle hull, saving significant interior space for personnel and mission equipment.

Also offered will be the combat-proven MKI which is fielded in Afghanistan on Czech Army Pandurs. Samson configurations are also currently in service with the Israeli Defense Forces and other allied armed services.

Steve Elgin, vice president and general manager of armament systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, said: ‘Combining the market-leading features of the Samson RWS product line and General Dynamics' weapon and vehicle integration experience allows our team to bring affordable, leap-ahead capability to existing vehicle modernisation and next-generation ground combat and amphibious vehicle programmes.’

General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems formed a joint venture, GR Dynamics, in 2003 to provide armament products to the US Department of Defense. The joint venture previously delivered the MK49 MOD 0 naval remote weapon station to the US military.