Losing gunners now a thing of the past with RCWS-equipped APCs

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 24): Losing gunners now a thing of the past with RCWS-equipped APCs

With the Mechanized Infantry Division (MID) now starting to field remote-control weapons system (RCWS)-equipped armored personnel carriers, the time when gunners are killed manning their weapons is now a thing of the past.

 

This is because RCWS can be operated and fired inside the APC, MID public affairs office chief Major Filemon Tan said.

Targeting, imaging and firing systems of the RCWS are safely contained inside the APC which is well protected from small and medium arms fire.

Tan said locating and aiming potential targets in RCWS-equipped vehicles are relatively easy thanks to its thermal imaging and laser sights which are effective up to three kilometers.

In older armored fighting vehicles, gunners are usually stationed in revolving cupolas and are primarily responsible for locating and firing back at their targets with minimal protection.

And should the RCWS be damaged by enemy fire, it is much simpler to have it repaired or replaced than treat or evacuate a badly-wounded gunner.

Six M-113A2 APCs, equipped with .50 caliber RCWS, are now undergoing acceptance tests at MID headquarters in Camp O' Donnell, Capas town, Tarlac.

Another four APCs, this time fitted with 25mm RCWS, are expected to arrive next year followed by another 14 M-113A2 armed with 76mm guns and four armored recovery vehicles.

This is part of the Php 882 million 28 APC deal signed with Elbit Systems Ltd last June 22, 2014.

The PA operates around 343 AFVs (armored fighting vehicles) and APCs.

Around 85 percent of these AFVs are on green status (fully mission capable) while another 10 percent are on yellow status (undergoing repair) and five percent are on red (beyond repair)

One hundred and fifty of these are the United Kingdom-built GKN "Simba" with the remaining AFVs consisting of US designed V-150 and V-200 APCs, M-113s, Turkish made ACV-300s and British Scorpion CVRTs.

These vehicles give the PA its armor capability and are organized into a 14-vehicle mechanized infantry companies for deployment with regular units.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=807841