August 31, 2007: The success of the Kongsberg
PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Stations (RWS) on Stryker, M-1 and hummer vehicles has
led the U.S. Army to adopt the Kongsberg system as standard, and to order 6,500
of them (at a cost of $208,000 each). RWS is the key component of the CROWS
(common remotely operated weapon stations). This idea has been around for
nearly half a century, but years of tinkering, and better technology, have made
the remote control gun turret finally work effectively, dependably and
affordably.
CROWS is a real life saver, not to mention anxiety
reducer, for troops who drive through bandit country a lot, and man the turret
gun. You're a target up there, and too often, the bad guys get you. Not with
CROWS. The gunner is inside the vehicle, checking out the surroundings (with
night vision and telephoto capabilities). CROWS also has a laser rangefinder
built in, as well as a stabilizer mechanism to allow more accurate fire while
the vehicle is moving. The CROWS systems cost about $260,000 each (including
the weapon), and can mount a variety of weapons (M2 .50 caliber machine-gun,
MK19 40-mm automatic grenade launcher, M240B 7.62mm machine-gun and M249 5.56mm
squad automatic weapon).
Since many troops have years of experience with
video games, they take to CROWS quickly, and very effectively. This has further
frightened hostile Iraqis, who are quick to attribute magical qualities to
American equipment.
