Category:Remote Weapon Station

Also known as a remote controlled weapon station (RCWS), a remote weapon station/system (RWS) is, as the name implies, a remotely operated, turreted weapon system generally equipped with light or medium caliber weapons. Due to their inherent modularity and flexibility, such systems are found on a plethora of land, sea, and air based platforms. Although not a new idea, seeing extensive use on aircraft throughout the latter-half of the twentieth-century, technological innovation coupled with a need to conserve interior space on increasingly heavier armored light vehicles has lead to the rapid fielding of numerous land based RWS for both new and existing platforms. Most current RWS have some form of fire control system - including both day and thermal optics - equal to that of dedicated infantry fighting vehicles, allowing some APCs and infantry mobility vehicles to perform the IFV role.