by David Crane
david@defensereview.com
A company called More Industries, LLC is manufacturing and marketing a remotely-operated weapons system (i.e. remote-controlled weapons system) called HAMMER for use on UGVs (Unmanned Ground Vehicles, a.k.a. ground robots), manned ground vehicles (i.e. HMMWVs/Humvees, APCs/IFVs, and civilan vehicles like flatbed trucks and SUVs/4x4s), and UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), turning the latter into UCAVs (Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles). The company claims that the HAMMER Remotely-Operated Weapons System, a.k.a. Hammer Remotely-Operated Shotgun System, when combined with the company’s H2X-40 Turret System, will give UGVs and manned ground vehicles a COTS (commercial off-the-shelf), warfare-ready weapons solution for multiple urban warfare/MOUT , peacekeeping, and law enforcement applications. These applications include, but are not necessarily limited to EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices), anti-personnel use during anti-terrorism/counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations, SWAT ops, perimeter defense and installation/high-value-target defense, and any/all Special Operations/Special Forces ops in urban warfare environments. On lightweight UAVs like unmanned helicopters (i.e. remote-controlled helicopters), the HAMMER Remote-Operated Weapons/Shtogun System can be used by itself (fixed-mounted) to reduce weight and drag, rather than employing the H2X-40 Turret System. An unmanned helicopter doesn’t necessarily need a turret system, since it can orient itself to the target very quickly (so it’s facing the target head-on).
electronically controlled firing mechanism/trigger mechanism (i.e. solonoid trigger mechanism) that’s remote-actuated via remote control. The remote control unit is of course supplied with the system. The automatic trigger mechanism is fully encapsulated to keep out water, mud, sand, and any other foreign matter/materiels. Sighting is accomplished through a daylight-visible bore-sighted laser or optional bore-sighted camera.
According to the company, the HAMMER weapons system/shotgun system is very safe, since a human operator is kept in the loop at all times. It’s the human being that makes all movement and firing/enemy engagement decisions. HAMMER employs a safety system that makes it impossible for the onboard weapons to fire until the human operator decides to fire them.
The H2X-40 Turret System employs a dual-gun mount. This allows two AA-12 Shotguns (Auto Assault-12 Shotguns) to be utilized simultaneously. Onboard ammo capacity is 16-40 rounds, depending on what type of magazines are utilized (i.e. loaded into the AA-12 Shotguns). The operator can load the two AA12s with 8-shot box magazines or 20-shot drum mags.
Defense Review will be publishing video footage of the latter. DefRev would also like to see video footage demonstrating HAMMER’s counter-IED and anti-personnel capabilities. We’d particularly like to see a single HAMMER Remote-Operated Shotgun System mounted to the NRI AutoCopter Gunship.
Company Contact Info:
All stainless steel construction won’t rust
Rugged & versatile mounting system
Available 8 & 20 round magazines
Fully encapsulated trigger mechanism
Operates through standard firing systems
Electronically controlled firing actuation
Safety lever for manual weapon securing
Laser or camera sighting systems
Weatherproof & ultra-low maintenance
Wide range of available ammunition
Supports non-lethal, smoke, & grenades
Firearm: Firearm core utilizes MPS AA-12 tactical 12-gage shotgun
Dimensions: Approximately 2” x 12.5” x 33” (5cm x 32cm x 84cm)
Weight: Approximately 15 lbs (6.8 kg)
Materials: Aircraft grade stainless steel, thermoplastics, & anodized aluminum
Gage: 12 gage shotgun chambered for 2-3/4” – 3” version in testing now
Action: Gas operated from open bolt full-automatic with electronic select-fire
Safety: Manual safety lever overrides electronic functions
Orientation: Typical mounting with magazine facing up
Voltage: 18–30 Volts DC – standard firing system interface
Sighting: Daylight visible bore sighted laser – optional bore sighted camera
Maintenance: Minimal cleaning required – runs dry (no oil to attract sand & dust)
Recoil: Minimal – Approximately 10 lbs (4.5 kg) constant force
Capacity: 8 round box magazine & 20 round drum magazines available
Barrel: 13” (33cm) length stainless with locking breach
Rate of Fire: 300 rounds per minute (5 rounds per second)
Warranty: 1 year materials & workmanship
With its wide range of motion and support for two HAMMER Unmanned Shotguns the HX-240 Turret System is ideal for counter IED missions where multiple disruptions are required during the exposing and neutralization of multiple threats.
Supports 2 HAMMER Unmanned Shotguns
Remote positioning, sighting, & control
Supports manned & unmanned vehicles
Supports fixed sites and asset defense
Computer-based user interface
Weatherproof & ultra-low maintenance
Supports less-lethal, smoke, & grenades
Dimensions: Approximately 20” x 16” x 16” (51cm x 41cm x 41cm)
Weight: Approximately 25 lbs (11.5 kg)
Materials: Black anodized aluminum, stainless steel, & engineering plastics
Safety: Emergency stop switch halts all functions
Power: 18–30 Volts DC – from battery system or power supply
Sighting: Dual daylight visible bore sighted lasers and bore sighted camera
Maintenance: Minimal – sealed design is waterproof and dustproof
Angular Rate: 15 degrees per second – pan & tilt
Motion Range: 340 degrees pan & tilt with both programmable & physical stops
Payload: Dual HAMMER Unmanned Shotgun Systems or 40 lbs (18 kg)
Feedback: Absolute encoders
Interface: PC or notebook based graphical user interface with joystick input
Warranty: 1 year materials & workmanship
Company Contact Information for MPS AA-12 Shotgun and AMC FRAG-12 Munitions:
Related Articles:
Acronyms used in this article:
HMMWV – High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle
APC – Armored Personnel Carrier
IFV – Infantry Fighting Vehicle
SUV – Sport Utility Vehicle
UGV – Unmanned Ground Vehicle
UAV – Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
UCAV – Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle
AA-12 – Auto Assault-12