For example, Project Manager Soldier Weapons of Picatinny, N.J., is improving the U.S Army’s Common Remotely Operated Weapon Stations or CROWS. The system mounts on top of a HMMWV, enabling a gunner to perform missions from the safety of the inside of the armor-plated vehicle. CROWS was developed in conjunction with Recon Optical, Barrington, Ill. The system integrates the MK19 Grenade Machine Gun, M2 Machine Gun, M240B Medium Machine Gun and the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. A soldier can view targets independent of gun elevation for MK19 super elevation and non-threatening surveillance mode. The vehicle’s sensor suite includes a daytime video camera, second-generation FLIR and laser rangefinder for day and night mission requirement.
“Soldiers have been providing valuable operational performance and systems feedback to the project office,” LTC Kevin P. Stoddard, product manager for Crew Served Weapons tells Security magazine. “In a recent route reconnaissance mission, MPs using CROWS went out ahead of the convoy to gather intelligence and gain a vantage point. After reconnaissance of the route, they moved to an over watch position. Situated on a hill, the MP team leveraged CROWS’ high-powered sensor suites to identify a terrorist preparing to attack the convoy and instantly acquired a ballistic solution to engage him.”