BAE Remote Guardian System (RGS) Remotely-Operated Gun Turret

By David Crane
defrev at gmail.com

DefenseReview has been following the development and fielding of remote weapon stations (RWS) a.k.a. remote-controlled weapon stations a.k.a. umanned weapon stations for awhile now, including the Recon Optical, Inc. (ROI) Raven R-400 Alpha CROWS RWS, and we’re big fans of the Dillon Aero M134D and M134D-T Gatling Guns/Miniguns (7.62x51mm NATO (7.62mm NATO)/.308 Win.). So, we figured we might as well follow the development and fielding of the Remote Guardian System (RGS) on the USMC MV-22 and SOF CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.

It’s no big secret that the Marines have had a tough time figuring out an…

adequate armament strategy. Let’s just say the Osprey has been just about as weapons-challenged as it’s been developmentally-challenged and cost-challenged, and, let’s face it, it’s been seriouslydevelopmentally and cost-challenged. The Osprey’s deathtrap (developmental) reputation aside, until now, the only armament the Osprey has had at its disposal is a ramp-mounted, manned M240 MMG/GPMG (7.62mm NATO) pointing aft.

Manufactured by BAE Systems, the Remote Guardian System remotely-operated weapon system is basically an underbelly-mounted, retractable remote weapon station/gun turret armed with a modified GAU-2B Minigun/Gatling Gun, which is essentially the Air Force’s version of the M134D. As such, it allows the Osprey to deliver 7.62mm NATO rounds at 3,000 RPM (Rounds Per Minute) onto troublesome ground targets up to 1,000 meters away.

The UGS has 360-degree rotation capability, and is optically and weapon-stabilized. According to the brochure, the RGS’ "inertial and wind-corrected sight provides real-time lead and elevation compensation, generating a continuously computed impact point." It also states that the RGS is capable of greater than 45 deg/sec (degrees per second) line-of-sight threat tracking.

The system includes FLIR-type thermal/IR (infrared) and CCD (daylight) sensors and a remote gunner’s station, which appears to consist of a game-console-type remote control and flat-panel video screen.

The literature states that the RGS is modular, so it can be upgraded with more advanced components (including optics) as required.

Only time and combat action will tell how well the BAE Remote Guardian System performs in the enemy-suppression role on the V-22. In the meantime, we’ll try to look into how it’s performing to date, and we hope that the Osprey itself doesn’t end up killing more U.S. warfighters in combat than the enemy does. This is not a plane Defense Review would want to fly in regularly.  It’s still just a bit too risky for our tastes. We’ll wait until it’s been around a little longer and debugged some more.

Click here to view the Remote Guardian System (RGS) Brochure/Fact Sheet (PDF document).

Company Contact Info:

BAE Systems
Electronics & Integrated Solutions
600 Main Street
Johnson City, NY 13790
607-770-2105 Phone
607-770-3524 Fax
[email protected] Email
http://www.baesystems.com/rgs Website

Related Articles:

BAE’s Turret to Trial in CV-22s (Defense Industry Daily)

V-22 Osprey: A Flying Shame? (Defense Industry Daily)

Recon Optical CROWS Remote-Controlled Weapon Stations for Enhanced Lethality (DefenseReview)