SIG SAUER showcased their Pitbull Remote Control Weapon Station during the recent Global Defense Range Demo Day in Las Vegas. This is their third generation from an internal development standpoint but SIG considers it their first commercial generation.
There is currently a small number systems mounted on autonomous vehicles (HMMWV and M113-based) operational in Israel with that number tripling in the near future.
The system has been mounted on vehicles, fixed positions as well as tripods, maritime platforms, and has even shown promise on large Unmanned Air Systems.
It is scalable and will accept different machine guns with a different yoke and cradle, based upon the weapon used. Seen here is the MMG in 338 NM, but it will also accept the XM250 in various calibers (and similar MGs like FN MAG) as well as the M2 MG.
The RCWS is lightweight at 85 kg lbs without weapon and has a silhouette of just 60 cm. There are no center of gravity issues and stabilization and tracking are accomplished using two single-axis gimbals with mechanical hard stops on wise and elevation for safety. Additionally, the base can be slewed at a rate of 90° per second with compete 360° rotation.
For surveillance and to identify targets and items of interest, the system’s sensors consist of an integrated eye-safe laser range finder and EO/IR optics with 40x optical zoom on the day side. The images are low latency for rapid target acquisition and engagement.
To interface with the software, the user manipulates the touchscreen Ranger Control Unit which can be hard wired or connected remotely via a communications system.
While the weapon station itself is impressive, the real magic is in the software. And by magic, I mean artificial intelligence. For instance, there is target reconciliation and target modeling software to teach the system what legitimate targets and other items of interest look like. Naturally, this leads to automotive target detection.
The RCU can be used for simple point and shoot or cursor on target engagement, but the software offers several other interesting modes of operation:
Fire Assist – This user definable mode selects shot group size (in centimeters) and will only engage when the shots will land within that designated target space. The software only engages the target when it aligns a shot which will hit within that target space, even if the RWCS is mounted to a platform which is moving
Speed Advance – This predictive mapping capability is meant for moving targets as well as for Counter-UAS engagements. Once again, the software only engages the target when it aligns a shot which will hit the target, even if the RWCS is mounted to a platform which is moving. The software also analyzes the speed of a moving target and applies the appropriate lead.
Video Radar – In a stand alone mode, without connection to additional sensors like RADAR, this mode uses the video sensors to automatically detect and track up to five items of interest.
Fire Inhibiting Zones: These user definable areas can be designated to prevent blue-on-blue incidents or to avoid collateral damage.
Here is a video provided by SIG SAUER.
