Kongsberg Protech Systems US has been awarded a contract to qualify a Remote Weapon Station for counter-UAS and air defence operations on behalf of the US Marine Corps (USMC).

The XM914 (30mmx113mm) remote weapon station (RWS) will be qualified in support of the USM Program Manager Ground Based Air Defense Office.

The weapon system will be integrated on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) and will include a number of specialised counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) and air defence capabilities. Kongsberg USA will deliver test articles and assist the USMC in performing Design Verification Testing (DVT) toward future production deliveries.

The Kongsberg XM914 RWS is the first 30 mm remote weapon station to be qualified on the JLTV platform. It includes the XM914E1 30 mm x 113 mm DC driven cannon with a co-axial M240 (7.62mm) machine gun, an integration kit for the Stinger Air-To-Air Launcher (ATAL) and provisions for future C-UAS defeat systems.

The XM914 RWS leverages a significant number of components, Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), and capabilities from other Kongsberg RWS and Medium Calibre Turrets already delivered to both the USMC and the United States Army to bring logistical support efficiencies and overall commonality.

“Although a new class of weapon and station, it is based on a proven design and previously qualified components to provide the Marine Corps with a low-risk system that reduces the burden of provisioning and training across the service,” said Jeff Wood, general manager, Kongsberg Protech Systems USA. “We are very excited to have been selected once again by the Marine Corps for a challenging RWS program. We look forward to helping them meet an aggressive delivery schedule and provide Marines with a critical lethality capability.”

Kongsberg was recently selected to design and manufacture the remote Medium Calibre Turret (MCT) for the United States Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV)-30 program. Kongsberg also provides all medium weight RWS for the Corps’ ACV and AAV platforms.