SITDEF 2019: Escribano offers upgrade of LAV II armored with Guardian remote weapon station.

Spanish Company Escribano presents a modernization of the LAV II, an 8x8 amphibious armored vehicle in service with the Peruvian Naval Infantry fitted with a Guardian remotely operated weapon station. Currently, the LAV II in service with Peruvian Navy is fitted with a manual ring-mount weapon station.

LAV II 8x8 armored vehicle of Naval Infantry of the Peruvian Navy fitted with Escribano Guardian remotely operated weapon station at SITDEF 2019, defense exhibition in Lima, Peru. May 18, 2019.  (Picture source Army Recognition)

Most of the modern combat vehicles are equipped with remotely operated weapon station (ROWS), as it allows a gunner to remain in the relative protection of the vehicle. It allows the gunner to remotely engage targets with precision fire while on the move or stationary to the maximum effective range of the weapon. Capable of target engagement under day and night conditions, ROWS is often equipped with sensor suite that includes a daytime video camera, thermal camera and laser rangefinder.

At SITDEF 2019, the Escribano Guardian was mounted on the LAV II to increase the protection of the gunner and improve the firepower of the vehicle. The GUARDIAN is a Remotely Operated Weapons Station (ROWS) that can be armed with 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm calibers machine gun. Lightweight and compact, this weapon station is stabilized and can operate by day and by night. Operational functions include surveillance, target identification and tracking.

Ballistic calculations for shooting are programmed into the main computer unit, allowing improved shooting accuracy. GUARDIAN provides defense capabilities over short and medium ranges with high firing accuracy and it is a cost-effective solution for defense against asymmetric threats.

The sensor suite of the Guardian ROWS offers identification and acquisition of targets up to 4,500 meters. The Escribano Guardian is fitted with cooled IR (Infrared) camera, CCD camera and laser range finder. It is able to perform continuous 360º rotation movements with elevation from -20° to +60°. The front of the weapon station is also equipped with a bank of smoke grenade dischargers.