Configurable remote weapon station having under armor reload

摘要

An RWS is configurable to adjust the height of a rotational elevation axis thereof by providing interchangeable pairs of removably mounted yoke arms, wherein the pairs have different heights. The RWS is provided with at least one fixed hanging ammunition container that is reloadable under the armored protection of the vehicle and the RWS shell.

主权项

1. A remote weapon station comprising:
an armored pedestal adapted to be mounted on an armored vehicle, wherein the pedestal is rotatable about an azimuth axis relative to the armored vehicle and the pedestal defines an interior compartment accessible from within the armored vehicle; a weapon support yoke mounted on an exterior of the pedestal; an ammunition container having an ammunition storage portion and an ammunition exit chute leading from the storage portion, wherein the ammunition container is fixed to the pedestal such that the storage portion of the ammunition container resides at least mostly within the interior compartment of the pedestal and the exit chute of the ammunition container extends through the pedestal, the storage portion of the ammunition container having a reload opening by which the ammunition container may be reloaded with ammunition; wherein the ammunition container is fixed to the pedestal such that the storage portion of the ammunition container is immovably suspended at a permanent location within the interior compartment of the pedestal; whereby a belt of linked ammunition is fed from the storage portion through the exit chute to supply a weapon carried by the weapon support yoke, and the ammunition container is reloadable by personnel under protection of the armored vehicle and the pedestal; wherein the ammunition container is reloadable, and the weapon is able to be fired and supplied with ammunition from the ammunition container, while the ammunition container is at the permanent location.