M151 Protector
The M151 PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Station is a remotely-controlled weapons station (RWS) that can be mounted to vehicles and stationary platforms. It is manufactured by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace [1] of Kongsberg, Norway.
The PROTECTOR is commonly used by the US Army Stryker Brigades. [2][3]
Contents
Overview
The system consists of a stabilized firing platform, a fire control system and control grips. Several weapons can be mounted to the platform, such as:
- M2 .50 cal heavy machine gun
- M240/MAG-58 7.62 mm machine gun
- M249/mini-mi 5.56mm machine gun
- MK19 40 mm grenade launcher
- H&K GMG 40 mm grenade launcher
- XM307 Advanced Crew-Served Weapon [4]
- Javelin anti-tank guided missile (ATGM)
- Hellfire ATGM [5] (from a modified PROTECTOR)
The system, also features 4 M6 Smoke Grenade Dischargers.
Versions
M151 versions
- M151 PROTECTOR – deployed with the first Stryker brigades
- M151 E1 (Block 1) – includes improved thermal cameras
- M151 E2 (Block 2) – stabilized version
- Several country specific adaptations
Other variants
- PROTECTOR Lite
- PROTECTOR CROWS II
- Sea PROTECTOR – for naval applications
- PROTECTOR NM221 – includes internal ammunition feed
Operator countries
In addition to the home country Norway's M113 APC and Tactica vehicles (PROTECTOR NM221), and the Iveco LMV (PROTECTOR Lite), the PROTECTOR is widely used internationally.
Current operators:
(listed alphabetically)
- Australia – ASLAV PC vehicle
- Canada – RG-31 vehicle
- Template:CZE – LMV
- 23x15px Finland – Patria AMV vehicle
- France – Renault VAB
- 23x15px Ireland – Piranha III vehicle
- Template:LUX – Dingo 2 vehicle
- Netherlands – Boxer vehicle
- 23x15px Portugal – Pandur II
- 17px Switzerland – Piranha I vehicle
- United Kingdom - [used on bulldog and mastiff vehicles in Iraq and Afghanistan
- United States – Stryker and M1A2 Abrams (the latter a main battle tank), plus numerous other vehicles
Planned operators:
- Template:SLO: Patria AMV
- Template:CRO: Patria AMV, Iveco LMV, M-95, Croatian Romobil-two wheeler
- Sweden: Sisu_Pasi, ARCHER Artillery System, RG 32
Gallery
- Rws stryker interiorscreen.jpg
Interior control station for M151 Protector Remote Weapon Station in Stryker ICV
- Kongsberg Protector RWS on M1126.jpg
Remote Weapon Station on Stryker ICV
- Stryker 25th ID Iraq DF-SD-05-12693.JPEG
Stryker ICV on patrol in Iraq
References
- ↑ Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace
- ↑ The Stryker Remote Weapon System
- ↑ Soldier Feedback Advances Remote Weapon Stations
- ↑ XM307 Weapons System
- ↑ Et fremtidsrettet prosjekt Template:No icon
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