Typhoon Weapon System
Encyclopedia
The Typhoon is a type of remote weapon station
manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Israel, and it shares similar design principles and common technologies with Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station
(Samson RCWS), a land-based system manufactured by the same developer. Like Samson RCWS, Typhoon is also multi-configurable.
The Typhoon, and its lightweight variant, Mini Typhoon, are used by the Israeli Navy, Royal Australian Navy
, Royal New Zealand Navy
, the Republic of Singapore Navy
and Singapore's Police Coast Guard
.
, allowing it to keep the weapon aimed to within 250 millimetres (9.8 in) on a target 1000 metres (3,280.8 ft) away.
The mounting does not penetrate the platform, making it relatively simple to fit the weapon to ships. Typhoon can use sights attached to the weapon mount or it can receive inputs from an independent Electro-Optical Detector (EOD) or Fire Control Radar (FCR). Using its own sight the Typhoon system can provide firing solutions entirely without outside assistance, allowing it to function fully independently.
The cannon system mounted can be an ATK
, Oerlikon
, Mauser
or Giat
model in the 20–30 mm caliber range. Between 160 and 210 rounds are carried on the mounting, depending on the caliber. The mount can traverse 120° to either side and elevate between -12.5° and 40.5°. The weight of a complete system is between 690 and 750 kg (1,521.2 and 1,653.5 ) without ammunition, depending on the guns and sensors mounted.
By 2006, more than 120 Typhoon systems had been ordered.
- with M242 Bushmaster
s
Maldives
with M2 Browning machine guns
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Video links
Remote Weapon Station
A remote weapon station, also known as a remote weapon system, is a weaponized system for light and medium caliber weapons which can be installed on ground combat vehicle or sea and air-based combat platforms. Such equipment is used on modern military vehicles, as it allows a gunner to remain in...
manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Israel, and it shares similar design principles and common technologies with Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station
Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station
The Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station , also known as Katlanit is a Remote Weapon System that enables a variety of devices to be operated automatically or by remote control, including 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, and 12.7 mm machine guns, 40 mm automatic grenade launchers, anti-tank missiles and...
(Samson RCWS), a land-based system manufactured by the same developer. Like Samson RCWS, Typhoon is also multi-configurable.
The Typhoon, and its lightweight variant, Mini Typhoon, are used by the Israeli Navy, Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
, Royal New Zealand Navy
Royal New Zealand Navy
The Royal New Zealand Navy is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
, the Republic of Singapore Navy
Republic of Singapore Navy
The Republic of Singapore Navy is the naval component of the Singapore Armed Forces , responsible for the defence of Singapore against sea-borne threats and protection of its sea lines of communications. Operating within the crowded littoral waters of the Singapore Strait, the RSN is regarded as...
and Singapore's Police Coast Guard
Police Coast Guard
The Police Coast Guard is the Marine Police division of the Singapore Police Force which also takes on roles of the coast guard typically handled by the military or as separate organisations in other countries...
.
Overview
The first Typhoon, the Mk-23, was released in 1997. The weapon is mounted on a stabilized deck mounting which allows it to remain on target as the platform beneath it moves. The stabilizer has an accuracy of 0.25 mradRadian
Radian is the ratio between the length of an arc and its radius. The radian is the standard unit of angular measure, used in many areas of mathematics. The unit was formerly a SI supplementary unit, but this category was abolished in 1995 and the radian is now considered a SI derived unit...
, allowing it to keep the weapon aimed to within 250 millimetres (9.8 in) on a target 1000 metres (3,280.8 ft) away.
The mounting does not penetrate the platform, making it relatively simple to fit the weapon to ships. Typhoon can use sights attached to the weapon mount or it can receive inputs from an independent Electro-Optical Detector (EOD) or Fire Control Radar (FCR). Using its own sight the Typhoon system can provide firing solutions entirely without outside assistance, allowing it to function fully independently.
The cannon system mounted can be an ATK
Alliant Techsystems
Alliant Techsystems Inc., most commonly known by its ticker symbol, ', is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the United States with more than 18,000 employees in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and 2010 revenues in excess of an estimated...
, Oerlikon
Oerlikon Contraves
Rheinmetall Air Defence AG is a division of German armament manufacturer Rheinmetall, created when the company's Oerlikon Contraves unit was renamed on 1 January 2009 and integrated with Rheinmetall's other air-defence products...
, Mauser
Mauser
Mauser was a German arms manufacturer of a line of bolt-action rifles and pistols from the 1870s to 1995. Mauser designs were built for the German armed forces...
or Giat
Nexter
Nexter is a French government-owned weapons manufacturer.-Products:...
model in the 20–30 mm caliber range. Between 160 and 210 rounds are carried on the mounting, depending on the caliber. The mount can traverse 120° to either side and elevate between -12.5° and 40.5°. The weight of a complete system is between 690 and 750 kg (1,521.2 and 1,653.5 ) without ammunition, depending on the guns and sensors mounted.
By 2006, more than 120 Typhoon systems had been ordered.
Mini Typhoon
Mini Typhoon is a lightweight, remote-controlled weapon station based on the Typhoon. It can be fitted with a .50 caliber machine gun, a 7.62 mm machine gun or a 40 mm grenade launcher, with a magazine of up to 230 rounds. The system has an accuracy rating of 0.5 mrad, weighs between 140 and 170 kg (308.6 and 374.8 ), depending on the weapon fitted, and can be installed without structural penetration of a ship's deck. The mini Typhoon is also mounted on the Protector USV Mk49 Mod0.Users
- Adelaide class frigateAdelaide class frigateThe Adelaide class is a ship class of six guided missile frigates constructed in Australia and the United States of America for service in the Royal Australian Navy. The class is based on the United States Navy's Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates, but modified for Australian requirements...
- Mini Typhoon as a temporary mount for deployments to the Middle East. - Armidale class patrol boatArmidale class patrol boatThe Armidale class is a class of patrol boats built for the Royal Australian Navy . Planning for a class of twelve vessels to replace the fifteen Fremantle class patrol boats began in 1993 as a joint project with the Royal Malaysian Navy, but was cancelled when Malaysia pulled out of the process...
- 25mm M242 BushmasterM242 BushmasterThe M242 Bushmaster is a 25 mm chain-fed autocannon. It is used extensively by the US armed forces, as well as by NATO's and some other nations' forces in ground combat vehicles and watercraft... - Anzac class frigateAnzac class frigateThe Anzac class is a ship class of ten frigates; eight operated by the Royal Australian Navy and two operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy...
- Mini Typhoon as a temporary mount for deployments to the Middle East. - Kanimbla class landing platform amphibiousKanimbla class landing platform amphibiousThe Kanimbla class is a class of amphibious transport ships operated by the Royal Australian Navy . Two ships were purchased by Australia in 1994 and modified...
- with M242 Bushmaster
M242 Bushmaster
The M242 Bushmaster is a 25 mm chain-fed autocannon. It is used extensively by the US armed forces, as well as by NATO's and some other nations' forces in ground combat vehicles and watercraft...
s
- Shaldag class fast patrol boatShaldag class fast patrol boatThe Shaldag class Fast Patrol Boat is a small but fast class of patrol boats developed for the Israeli Sea Corps and launched in 1989, it has since seen service with several other navies. Designed for security tasks where high intercept speeds are required, such as interdiction of terrorism and...
- Super Dvora Mk II class patrol boatSuper Dvora Mk II class patrol boatThe Super Dvora Mark II fast patrol boats is a high-speed class of patrol boats meant for a variety of naval missions from typical off-shore coastal patrol mission profiles to high-speed, high-maneuver littoral warfare. Built by Israel Aerospace Industries for the Israeli Sea Corps the Super Dvora...
- Super Dvora Mk III class patrol boat
- Sa'ar 4.5 class missile boat
Maldives
- Ultra Fast Attack CraftUltra Fast Attack CraftThe Ultra Fast Attack Craft, commonly known as the Colombo Class, is an ultra high-speed class of patrol boats meant for a variety of naval missions from typical off-shore coastal patrol mission profiles to high-speed, high-maneuver littoral warfare...
with M2 Browning machine guns
- Anzac class frigateAnzac class frigateThe Anzac class is a ship class of ten frigates; eight operated by the Royal Australian Navy and two operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy...
- Mini Typhoon as a permanent mount.
Singapore
- Endurance class landing platform dock shipEndurance class landing platform dock shipThe Endurance class landing platform dock ships are the largest class of ships in the Republic of Singapore Navy . They were designed and built locally by Singapore Technologies Marine to replace the old County class tank landing ships...
s - 2× 25mm Mk38 Mod2 (mounted amidships on port and starboard side) - Protector USV - Mini Typhoon Mk49 Mod0
- New Coastal Patrol Craft (NCPC) for the Police Coast GuardPolice Coast GuardThe Police Coast Guard is the Marine Police division of the Singapore Police Force which also takes on roles of the coast guard typically handled by the military or as separate organisations in other countries...
.
Sri Lanka
- Ultra Fast Attack CraftUltra Fast Attack CraftThe Ultra Fast Attack Craft, commonly known as the Colombo Class, is an ultra high-speed class of patrol boats meant for a variety of naval missions from typical off-shore coastal patrol mission profiles to high-speed, high-maneuver littoral warfare...
- Typhoon Weapon System has been selected by the US Navy, designated Mk38 Mod2, and provided by the US-located branch of the UK-headquartered company BAE SystemsBAE SystemsBAE Systems plc is a British multinational defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc. BAE is among the world's largest military contractors; in 2009 it was the...
teamed with Rafael.
External links
Video links