Hitrole

The Hitrole is a remote weapons station manufactured by Italian arms company, Oto Melara.[1] The "role" portion of the name is short for "Remote Overhead, Light Electrical".

Hitrole 12,7 mm on Rosomak 8X8

The turret can mount a variety of lighter automatic weapons, including 5.56 millimetres (0.219 in), 7.62 millimetres (0.300 in), 12.7 millimetres (0.50 in) machine guns, and 40 millimetres (1.6 in) automatic grenade launchers.[1][2]

The weapon is gyroscopically stabilized.[3] The turret weighs between 210 kilograms (460 lb)-260 kilograms (570 lb), depending on the weapon fitted. The gunner's remote optics add an infrared camera and laser range finder to a regular visible light camera.

The gunner is assisted with a fire control computer.[3][4] The fire control computer can help the gunner track moving targets.

In 2009 the Italian Army ordered 81 turrets to equip its Iveco Lince vehicles in Afghanistan.[4]

According to Jane's Navy International the Singapore Navy ordered Hitrole turrets in August 2013.[5] A total of 16 turrets were ordered for Singapore's 8 Littoral Mission Vessels.

Versions


Users

Platforms using the Oto-Melara Hitrole include:

 United Arab Emirates
 Germany
 Italy
 Malaysia
 Mexico
 Netherlands
 Pakistan
 Singapore
 Turkmenistan

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Background – CF Remote Control Heavy Machine Gun Project". Canadian American Strategic Review. Archived from the original on 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2013-09-12. OTO claims that both systems are better protected than rival RWSs.
  2. ↑ "Hitrole". Oto Melara. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Hitrole Light RWS 5.56 - 7.62 - 12.7 - AGL 40 mm". Oto Melara. Retrieved 2013-09-12. The HITROLE Light FCS consists of a modular sighting system including a Day TV camera, an IR camera for night vision and an eye safe LRF. The FCS architecture is open and provides growth potential for system upgrade. Both sighting system and firing are computer assisted and operated from a protected position inside the vehicle through a multi function display and joystick.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Mark Rutherford (2009-11-09). "Italian troops to button up against IEDs". CNet. Retrieved 2013-09-12. The Italian Army has ordered 81 Hitrole Light remote controlled weapon stations for its Iveco Lince vehicles in response to increased IED attacks in Afghanistan, according to the Italian Ministry of Defense.
  5. ↑ Luca Peruzzi (2013-08-13). "Singapore selects Hitrole for close-in ship defence". Genoa, Italy: Jane's Navy International. Retrieved 2013-09-12. Oto Melara has been selected to supply its Hitrole 12.7 mm remotely controlled weapon station to the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) under a contract revealed in Finmeccanica's 2013 first-half results, published on 1 August.
  6. ↑ http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/eur-80m-to-oto-melara-for-f125-frigate-gun-systems-03201/
  7. ↑ http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=418
  8. ↑ http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/naval-exhibitions/euronaval-2014/2111-oto-melara-offers-new-short-range-defense-solution-the-hitrole-20mm.html
  9. ↑ http://gulfnews.com/business/investment/al-fattan-seals-major-orders-1.767441
  10. ↑ http://www.deagel.com/news/Malaysian-Coast-Guard-Orders-18-HITROLE-Naval-Turrets_n000009822.aspx
  11. ↑ http://turkishnavy.net/tag/equipment/page/5/
  12. ↑ http://www.deagel.com/news/Mexican-Navy-Orders-Five-HITROLE-127mm-Naval-Turret_n000009823.aspx
  13. ↑ http://www.mindef.gov.sg/navy/careers/our-assets/littoral-mission-vessel.html