New Humvee weapons system keeps gunner covered inside

Stars and Stripes European edition ^ | February 8, 2004 | Lisa Burgess

[Cannoneer No. 4]

ARLINGTON, Va. — One of the most dangerous jobs in Iraq is acting as a gunner during convoy movements. Even up-armored Humvees, which provide added protection for most of the crew, leave the gunner exposed.

But for the gunners assigned to four special up-armored Humvees in Iraq, convoy movements are a different experience: instead of spending the drive hunched in the turret, scanning their sectors and hoping for the best, these soldiers are comfortably seated the back of the vehicle, eyes glued to a computer screen and right hand on a PlayStation-like joystick.

If the gunner, or someone else in the convoy, identifies a threat, the press of a button instantly slews the gun mounted atop the Humvee in the right direction. Then the flip of a switch puts steel on target.

Throughout the ordeal, the gunner is safe inside the armored shell of the vehicle.

The system these gunners are testing is called CROWS, for the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station.

Designed to be mounted aboard a variety of vehicles, from armored Humvees to the new Stryker, CROWS supports the MK19 grenade machine gun, 50-caliber M2 machine gun, M249 semi-automatic weapon, and the M240B machine gun.

A fire-control computer and stabilizers allow soldiers to shoot with great accuracy, even while the vehicle is moving, according to Maj. Adam Tasca, assistant product manager for crew-served weapons at PM Soldier, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J.

Gunners “can fire a single grenade and put it right in the chest of an adversary at 1,000 meters,” Tasca said in an interview Friday at the Pentagon, where CROWS was on display.

Moreover, the system’s sensors, which include a laser rangefinder, heavy thermal weapon sight, daytime video camera, and an image intensifier, help the gunner see targets at night and in bad weather, Tasca said.

CROWS isn’t scheduled to be fielded until 2006, but last fall, senior Army leaders realized how well suited the system might be to help protect soldiers against threats in Iraq, Pete Errante, deputy program manager for crew-served weapons at PM Soldier at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., said Friday.

Four systems were promptly sent to Iraq for “operational testing,” Errante said. For security reasons, he declined to identify the unit using the CROWS, or its location.

Tasca, who recently spent six weeks in Iraq evaluating the system and soldiers’ reactions to it, said that so far the systems have been performing “superbly.”

“The reliability is 100 percent and [soldiers] love it,” said Tasca. “They want more of them.”

If commanders in Iraq decide to issue an “urgent needs” request that would subsequently be supported by Army leadership, CROWS manufacturer Recon/Optical, of Barrington, Ill., is ready to begin manufacturing the system immediately, Errante said.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Stabilized, Remotely Operated Weapon Systems

[Cannoneer No. 4]

CROWS SYSTEM DISPLAYED AT PENTAGON, PROTOTYPES DEPLOYED IN IRAQ

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Up-armored Humvees offer protection against most small arms fire, shrapnel and anti-personnel mines. This up-armored Humvee with a Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station was displayed in the Pentagon center courtyard Feb. 4 & 5.

[Professional Engineer]

Cool

[newgeezer]

Hummer ("HUMMER" if you insist) is sure to offer this as an option on the '06 H1. The yuppie soccer moms and their Viagra-dependent lackeys will love it.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

CROWS sales pitch pdf file

[biblewonk]

Hummer ("HUMMER" if you insist) is sure to offer this as an option on the '06 H1. The yuppie soccer moms and their Viagra-dependent lackeys will love it.

LOL Stop yer killing me!

[SJSAMPLE]

The HMMWV was designed, from the beginning, as a UTILITY vehicle. It was created to replace the Jeep, not the armored combat vehicle.

While giving HMMWV passengers additional protection is a good idea, giving them a false sense of security about the nature and limitations of their vehicle IS NOT.

More and more, the HMMWV is being pushed into roles it is ill-suited for. The 9th ID (Motorized) tried this, and much more, in the mid 1980s. Even in training, they found out what the US military is experiencing in Iraq: The HMMWV is not a "combat vehicle". It is a utility vehicle that we have in large quantities. As such, units are pressed to use it more and more.

Putting advanced sensors and armaments on the HMMWV will lead to its use in more and more offensive operations, where the HMMWV will be exposed to more (and deadlier) enemy fire.

Put it this way: If your HMMWV didn't have the latest wiz-bang Day/Night and IR sensors and a remote controlled .50cal, would they send it out on the patrol? Not if better alternatives existed.

[tbpiper]

M249 semi-automatic weapon

?????

[Cannoneer No. 4]

ping

[xzins]

The SAW, I think. Squad Automatic Weapon...(?)

[exnavy]

The M249 SAW (squad automatic weapon) is a protable, though large select fire rifle in 308 calibre.

[SAMWolf]

The HMMWV was designed, from the beginning, as a UTILITY vehicle. It was created to replace the Jeep, not the armored combat vehicle..... More and more, the HMMWV is being pushed into roles it is ill-suited for.

Bulls-eye!!!

[exnavy]

sounds like fun, can I get one for my mini van?

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Put it this way: If your HMMWV didn't have the latest wiz-bang Day/Night and IR sensors and a remote controlled .50cal, would they send it out on the patrol? Not if better alternatives existed.

Lots of alternatives exist.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

I have often fantasized about a weapon system like this after being cut off in traffic, but I would need a disintegrator phaser instead of a Ma Deuce so I wouldn't have to drive through the burning junk pile.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

M249 Light Machine Gun is 5.56mm

[EQAndyBuzz]

Bet Kerry voted against it.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

M1117 Armored Security Vehicle