ExpoDefensa 2023: Rippel Effect presents MROWS remotely operated weapon station.

The South African defense company Rippel Effect presented its MROWS (Remotely Operated Weapon Station) system at the ExpoDefensa 2023 exhibition. This armament system is optimized for 7.62 mm Light Machine Guns (LMG) and 12.7 mm Heavy Machine Guns (HMG). The MROWS allows for ammunition feeding from either the left or right side, offering operational flexibility in various combat scenarios.
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MROWS remotely operated weapon station displayed at ExpoDefensa 2023. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

A notable feature of the MROWS is its ability to aim, cock, and fire from a protected, under-armor position, providing increased safety for operators. Weighing less than 150 kilograms (excluding the weapon and ammunition) and with a maximum power consumption of less than 50 amperes, the system effectively combines lightness with low energy consumption.

It provides stabilization, allowing for high precision in shooting. The system can hold up to 236 ready rounds and offers both burst and single-shot firing modes. Its rotational capability allows for a complete 360-degree arc in less than 24 seconds, and its elevation ranges from +45° to -20°.

Equipped with advanced position sensors, the MROWS can report its angular position with an accuracy of less than 1 milliradian. The weapon control is remote, including a loading and firing mechanism, thus enhancing safety and ease of use. The Human-Machine Interface is intuitive, featuring a control stick that manages the weapon drive systems, displays the system status, and handles the ammunition loading interface. The Gunner HMI includes switches, on-screen messages, a ballistic laser aiming marker, an LRF aiming marker, and a weapon position indicator.

The control panel is sophisticated, incorporating functions such as power on/off with safety lock, armed/safe mode with safety lock, loading, and selection of burst or single-shot firing. The dimensions of the MROWS are a height of 935 mm and a width of 900 mm, and it weighs 150 kg, excluding the weapon and ammunition.

The sighting system includes a day camera with a 5° horizontal field of view and a 3x digital zoom, as well as a thermal imager with a resolution of 384 x 288 pixels and a 2x digital zoom. The laser rangefinder is eye-safe and capable of measuring distances up to 2000 meters.