Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station

{{Infobox weapon | name = Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station | image = MSPO2007-55.jpg | image_size = 300px | alt = | caption = Samson RCWS mounted on top of a KTO Rosomak prototype in 2007. | type = Remote controlled weapon station | origin = Israel  | is_ranged = yes | is_artillery = yes  | service = | used_by = See ''Operators'' | wars =  | designer = Rafael Advanced Defense Systems | design_date = | manufacturer = Rafael Advanced Defense Systems | developed_from = | unit_cost = | production_date = | number = | variants = See ''Variants''  | spec_label = | mass = | length = | part_length = | width = | height = | diameter = | crew = | passengers =  | cartridge = | cartridge_weight = | caliber = | barrels = | action = | rate = | velocity = | range = | max_range = | feed = | sights =  | breech = | recoil = | carriage = | elevation = | traverse = }} [[File:Pandur_II_with_RCWS-30.JPG|thumb|right|30mm Mk44 Bushmaster II & M240 machine gun & Spike LR mounted on Czech Pandur II IFV]]

The '''Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station''' ('''RCWS'''), also known as '''Katlanit''' (קטלנית in Hebrew: "lethal") is a remote weapon system (RWS) that enables a variety of devices to be operated automatically or by remote control, including 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, and 12.7 mm .50 BMG machine guns, 40 mm automatic grenade launchers, anti-tank missiles and observation pods.<ref>[http://www.rafael.co.il/marketing/area.aspx?FolderID=402&docID=990 Rafael Armament Development Authority]</ref>

==Variants== There are a total of three variants of the Samson family:

* Samson Jr. ROWS - for 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns, weighing {{convert|60|-|75|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. * Mini Samson ROWS - for 12.7 mm and 14.5 mm machine guns, as well as 40 mm grenade launcher, weighing {{convert|140|-|160|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, similar to that of Mini Typhoon naval ROWS and OWS. * Standard Samson - for guns with calibre ranging from {{convert|20|-|40|mm|abbr=on}}, weighing {{convert|1.5|tonne|ton}}, similar to that of standard Typhoon naval ROWS and OWS.<ref name=dticMethod/>

For example, the Samson Remote Controlled Weapon System for 30 mm autocannon is designed to be mounted on lightly-armoured, high-mobility military vehicles and operated by a gunner or vehicle commander operating under-the-deck. It offers optional SPIKE guided missile, smoke grenade launcher, and embedded trainer. The RCWS 30 is a product of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rafael.co.il/marketing/SIP_STORAGE/FILES/8/628.pdf |title=RAFAEL marketing PDF for RCWS 30 |access-date=2007-06-05 |archive-date=2015-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924084513/http://www.rafael.co.il/marketing/SIP_STORAGE/FILES/8/628.pdf }}</ref>

Israel has also installed a variant of the Samson RCWS in pillboxes along the Israeli Gaza Strip barrier.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogscript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3A27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3A344244b3-3fee-4dfc-be03-992bf38a6f19 |title=Weaponized Sentry-Tech Towers Protecting Hot Borders |publisher=Aviation Week |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429010118/http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogscript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3A27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3A344244b3-3fee-4dfc-be03-992bf38a6f19 |archive-date=April 29, 2011}}</ref>

The Sentry Tech system, dubbed Roeh-Yoreh (Sees-Fires) in IDF service deployed on the Gaza fence, enables camera operators located in a rear-located intelligence base to engage border threats using the 12.7 mm heavy machine gun and the SPIKE guided missile.<ref name="JlLawInfoSci20120321">[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/JlLawInfoSci/2012/3.html "Lethal Robotic Technologies: The Implications for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law"] Philip Alston, ''Journal of Law, Information and Science'', 2012</ref>

==Operators==  thumb|400px|Map of Samson operators in blue

* {{COL}}: LAV III<ref>[http://www.armyrecognition.com/december_2012_new_army_military_defence_industry/army_colombia_has_selected_lav_iii_8x8_armoured_vehicle_for_its_mechanized_infantry_units_2912123.html Samson RWS on Colombian LAV III] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019084159/http://www.armyrecognition.com/december_2012_new_army_military_defence_industry/army_colombia_has_selected_lav_iii_8x8_armoured_vehicle_for_its_mechanized_infantry_units_2912123.html |date=2016-10-19 }} – Armyrecognition.com, December 29, 2012</ref> * {{CRO}}: 4 stations initially procured for needs of Croatian Army, installed and tested on M84D and M95 tanks, but eventually Croatian Army opted for Protector RWS, 12.7 mm and 30 mm. * {{CZE}}: Pandur II<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/czech-apcs-to-carry-rafaels-rcws30-01845/|title=Czech APCs to Carry RAFAEL's RCWS-30|date=2006-02-07|publisher=Defense Industry Daily|access-date=7 September 2011}}</ref> * {{ISR}}: IDF Namer, some IDF Achzarit, some HMMWV * {{LIT}}: 88 German Boxer Infantry Fighting Vehicles with Rafael's weapon stations with 30 mm cannons and "Spike LR" antitank missiles<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/content/lithuania-purchase-88-ifvs-rafael-made-weapon-stations|title=Lithuania to Purchase 88 IFVs with Rafael-made Weapon Stations|date=22 August 2016}}</ref> * {{SIN}}: Hunter AFV<ref>{{Cite web |title=Singapore Army commissions Hunter AFV {{!}} Shephard |url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/singapore-army-commissions-hunter-afv/ |access-date=2024-04-21 |website=www.shephardmedia.com |language=en}}</ref> * {{USA}}: Infantry Carrier Vehicle Dragoon<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peck |first=Michael |title=How the US Army botched a $1 billion upgrade of the Stryker armored vehicle's gun |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/us-army-botched-1-billion-upgrade-of-stryker-armored-gun-2024-4 |access-date=2024-04-21 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name=dticMethod> {{cite web | url = https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a586994.pdf#page=35 | title = Method of Estimating the Principal Characteristics of an Infantry Fighting Vehicle from Basic Performance Requirements | work = INSTITUTE FOR DEFENSE ANALYSES |author=David R. Gillingham |author2=Prashant R. Patel | access-date = 2019-04-28 | page = 35 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190429022538/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a586994.pdf | archive-date = 2019-04-29 | url-status = live }} </ref> }}

Category:Vehicle-mounted weapons Category:Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Category:Remote weapon stations