M151 Protector

The M151 PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Station is a remotely-controlled weapons station (RWS) that can be mounted to vehicles and stationary platforms. It is manufactured by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace^[1] of Norway and Thales Group of France.^[2]

The PROTECTOR is commonly used by the US Army Stryker Brigades.^[3][4]

Contents 1 Overview 2 Versions 2.1 M151 versions 2.2 Other variants 3 Operator countries 4 Gallery 5 References

Overview

The system consists of a stabilized firing platform, a fire control system and control grips. Several weapons can be mounted to the platform, such as:

• M2 .50 cal heavy machine gun
• M240/MAG-58 7.62 mm machine gun
• M249/mini-mi 5.56 mm machine gun
• MK19 40 mm grenade launcher
• H&K GMG 40 mm grenade launcher
• XM307 Advanced Crew-Served Weapon^[5]
• Javelin anti-tank guided missile (ATGM)
• Hellfire ATGM^[6] (from a modified PROTECTOR)

The system also features 4 M6 Smoke Grenade Dischargers.

Versions

M151 versions

• M151 PROTECTOR – deployed with the first Stryker brigades
• M151 E1 (Block 1) – includes improved thermal cameras
• M151 E2 (Block 2) – stabilized version
• Several country specific adaptations

Other variants

• PROTECTOR Lite
• PROTECTOR CROWS II
• Sea PROTECTOR – for naval applications
• PROTECTOR NM221 – includes internal ammunition feed

Operator countries

In addition to the home country  Norway's M113 APC and Tactica vehicles (PROTECTOR NM221), and the Iveco LMV (PROTECTOR Lite), the PROTECTOR is widely used internationally.

Current operators:
(listed alphabetically)

•  Australia – ASLAV PC vehicle
•  Canada – RG-31 vehicle
•  Croatia: Patria AMV, Iveco LMV, M-95, M-84D
•  Czech Republic – LMV
•  Finland – Patria AMV vehicle
•  France – Renault VAB
•  Ireland – Mowag Piranha IIIH CRV and RG-32M LTV
•  Luxembourg – Dingo 2 vehicle
•  Netherlands – Boxer vehicle
•  Portugal – Pandur II
•  Switzerland – Piranha I vehicle
•  United Kingdom - used on Bulldog and Mastiff vehicles in Iraq and Afghanistan
•  United States – Stryker and M1A2 Abrams (the latter a main battle tank), plus numerous other vehicles

Planned operators:

•  Slovenia: Patria AMV
•  Sweden: Sisu Pasi, ARCHER Artillery System, RG 32

Gallery

References

1. ^ Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace
2. ^ Thales PROTECTOR RWS
3. ^ The Stryker Remote Weapon System
4. ^ Soldier Feedback Advances Remote Weapon Stations
5. ^ XM307 Weapons System
6. ^ Et fremtidsrettet prosjekt (Norwegian)