Group : Weapon Stations
Status : Active
Also Known As : Enforcer, mini-Samson, RCWS-12.7
Origin : Israel
Contractor : Rafael
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2004
Total Production : 424
Unitary Cost : USD $90,000

The Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) is a modular weapon system supporting small and medium caliber guns (from 7.62mm machine gun to 40mm automatic grenade launcher), machine guns (12.7mm and 7.62mm), anti-tank missile launchers and observation pods. These stations can be mounted on a wide range of ground platforms ranging from lightweight all-terrain vehicles to heavy armor tanks.

Its remote control system enables armored vehicles crew to operate the RCWS completely under armor minimizing the probability of a crew member casualty. This feature makes the RCWS exceptionally suitable for urban warfare such as the military operations conducted by US forces in Iraq (2003-2005) and Israeli forces in the Palestinian territories. The RCWS armed with a 7.62mm machine gun is known as Enforcer while the 12.7mm gun equipped variant is known as the RCWS-12.7.

To date, the RCWS has been ordered by the armed forces Israel, Canada (LAV III), and the United States of America (Stryker). The United Kingdom is studying RCWS for its FV432 (RCWS-30) and LMV/Panther FCLV (Enforcer) armored vehicle programs. As of August 2005 Czech Republic's Pandur II and Finland's AMV 8x8 were undergoing testing outfitted with the RCWS.

In February 2006 General Dynamics European Land Systems (Steyr) selected the RCWS-12.7 and RCWS-30 weapon stations to equip Czech Republic's Pandur II armored vehicles under a $120 million contract awarded to Rafael. Samson/RCWS-30 station was provided with a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and two Spike LR anti-tank missiles in addition to the Mk-44 30mm gun. The contract also included Rafael add-on armor kits.

Group : Weapon Stations
Status : Active
Also Known As : Samson, Samson Mk II
Origin : Israel
Contractor : Rafael
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2005
Total Production : ?

The Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) is a modular weapon system supporting small and medium caliber guns (40mm automatic grenade launcher), machine guns (12.7mm and 7.62mm), anti-tank missile launchers, automatic guns (30mm) and observation pods. These stations can be mounted on a wide range of ground platforms ranging from lightweight all-terrain vehicles to heavy armor tanks.

Its remote control system enables armored vehicles crew to operate the RCWS completely under armor minimizing the probability of a crew member casualty. This feature makes the RCWS exceptionally suitable for urban warfare such as the military operations conducted by US forces in Iraq (2003-2005) and Israeli forces in the Palestinian territories. The RCWS armed with a 7.62mm machine gun is known as Enforcer while the 12.7mm gun equipped variant is known as the RCWS-12.7.

In August 2005 Rafael announced that the RCWS-30 equipped with a 30mm cannon had completed a series of successful field tests in Finland and Israel. RCWS-30 was integrated onto Patria AMV 8x8 armored vehicle and Achzarit APC demonstrating different scenarios at a variety of ranges. The RCWS-30 was offered for British Army's FV432 modernization program.

The weapon station's main gun is stabilized to allow fire on-the-move. RCWS-30 is also known as Samson and includes the Mk-44 30mm gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and two Spike LR anti-tank missiles (optional). This weapon station can be fitted with optional equipment to meet customer needs.

In February 2006 General Dynamics European Land Systems (Steyr) selected the RCWS-12.7 and RCWS-30 weapon stations to equip Czech Republic's Pandur II armored vehicles under a $120 million contract awarded to Rafael. Samson/RCWS-30 station was provided with a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and two Spike LR anti-tank missiles in addition to the Mk-44 30mm gun. The contract also included Rafael add-on armor kits.

Group : Weapon Stations
Status : Active
Also Known As : LRCWS, Samson Jr.
Origin : Israel
Contractor : Rafael
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2006
Total Production : ?

The Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) is a modular weapon system supporting small and medium caliber guns (40mm automatic grenade launcher), machine guns (12.7mm and 7.62mm), anti-tank missile launchers, automatic guns (30mm) and observation pods. These stations can be mounted on a wide range of ground platforms ranging from lightweight all-terrain vehicles to heavy armor tanks.

Its remote control system enables armored vehicles crew to operate the RCWS completely under armor minimizing the probability of a crew member casualty. This feature makes the RCWS exceptionally suitable for urban warfare such as the military operations conducted by US forces in Iraq (2003-2005) and Israeli forces in the Palestinian territories. The RCWS armed with a 7.62mm machine gun is known as Enforcer while the 12.7mm gun equipped variant is known as the RCWS-12.7.

Samson Junior (Samson Jr.) is a Lightweight Remotely Controlled Weapon Station (LRCWS) designed for use on armored fighting vehicles which require to keep the deck load to a minimum such as trucks, ambulances, HMMWV, etc. Samson Jr. may be fitted with a wide range of small caliber weapons such as a 7.62 mm M240 machine gun or 5.56mm M249 MINI-MI machine gun. Due to its size, it can also host sniper weapons and non-lethal weapons, making it suitable for paramilitary missions as well as military operations. The new weapon stations shares a high level of commonality with the other family members.

Rafael introduced the Samson Jr. weapon station in early October 2006 while it was being evaluated by the Israel Defense Forces. It weighs less than 100 kg.