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EOS Defense Systems USA successfully fired anti-tank missiles and a 30mm cannon from an EOS remote weapon station mounted on a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV).
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During the test, the team launched two Javelin missiles in between M230LF Bushmaster gun 30mm cannon fire volleys. Both systems were mounted on an EOS R400S Mk2 remote weapon station and validated that neither weapons’ employment adversely affected the other’s performance.
EOS and the Javelin Joint Venture, a partnership of Raytheon Technologies and Lockheed Martin, worked together to fully integrate the Javelin with the EOS remote weapon station within 10 months.
Grant Sanderson, chief executive of EOS Defence Systems, explained the importance of this milestone for the Australian company, telling Defence Connect, "We have been working on the integration the Javelin for the better part of a year and a half, technically it was a relatively straight forward program, it ended up coming together nicely working with key partners Raytheon and Lockheed Martin."
Brigadier General (Ret'd) Phil Coker, CEO for EOS Defense Systems USA, explained the importance of the milestone: "This was an exceptional opportunity to fire one of the most lethal anti-tank missiles in the world in conjunction with a 30mm chain gun to validate that they are completely interoperable.
"We have now had successful integration and now we're working that into delivery schedule for the customer, it's been a great opportunity for the Australian and US-based teams of EOS to work with the US Army program office and the Javellin JV team to deliver this world-class capability."
The R400S Mk2 is in full-rate production and is currently in use by six allied nations. The system can be mounted on a broad range of fighting and support vehicles, both wheeled and tracked.
The advanced technology of the system combined with the lightweight 30mm ATK M230 LF cannon provides light vehicles with unprecedented access to firepower normally reserved for much heavier (armoured) vehicles.
Sanderson added, "The vehicle this platform is destined for is in a similar scale to the Australian Army's Hawkei and the US Army's JLTV program, demonstrating the versatility and deployability of the capability. It demonstrates that there are no real limitations to where the R400 can be mounted."
The R400S Mk2 operates a variety weapons including a machine gun, a 30mm lightweight cannon and an automatic grenade launcher.
The first round hit probability is provided through an enhanced integrated ballistic solution, which analyses weapon and ammunition data; range and ambient environment in addition to vehicle attitude and dynamics. Performance can be further enhanced with optional video track of targets and multi-axis stabilisation.
"The ability to effectively counter any manoeuvre threat on the modern battlefield is a significant advantage to an Army that has to deploy to any fight. At the same time, the capacity that the R400 offers to clearly identify friend-from-foe at the Javelin’s max range is an advantage that few other systems offer," Coker added.
The R400S Mk2 is in service with the Australian Army and five other customers. Javelin was first deployed in 1996, and has been involved in more than 5,000 engagements by US and coalition forces.
EOS Defense Systems USA is a US company headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama. EOS' parent company, Electro Optic Systems, is an Australian company that has been at the forefront of the development of remote weapon stations since 1993.
EOS is an industry leader in remote weapon station technology and continuously invests to improve currently fielded and developing stations.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
