Singapore’s Next-Generation AFV Seen with Missile-Capable Remote Weapons Station

05 Maret 2019

An official image of the Singapore Army’s Next Generation Armoured Fighting Vehicle showing the vehicle with a new remote weapon station in place of the Adder M30 system originally seen on the vehicle. (photo : Sing Mindef)

A possible missile-armed variant of the Singapore Army's 29-tonne tracked Next-Generation Armoured Fighting Vehicle (NGAFV), a troop carrying variant of the service's Next Generation Armoured Vehicle (NGAV) family of tracked vehicles, has been revealed in an official Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) image that appeared briefly on its website on 1 March.

The image depicts a NGAFV equipped with what appears to be the new Samson 30 heavy remote weapon station (RWS) developed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems in place of the ST Engineering Land Systems Adder M30 RWS that is typically seen fitted to the vehicle.

The Samson 30 is understood to be a derivative of the Samson Mk II dual-axis gyro-stabilised, dual-sight RWS that incorporates several refinements to the original design, including a low-profile silhouette and recessed 76 mm smoke grenade launchers arranged in a 4×2 configuration on either side of the gun mantlet.

The Samson 30 RWS seen in the image is armed with the Orbital ATK 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster II automatic cannon - which can engage medium-weight armoured vehicles at a range of 2,000 m and unarmoured targets to ranges of 4,000 m and also fitted to the army's tracked Bionix II infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) - as well as a co-axial 7.62 mm machine gun. According to Rafael, the RWS can carry up to 230 rounds of ammunition for the automatic cannon and 500 rounds for the co-axial machine gun.

The weapon can also be traversed 360° and elevated between -20° to 70°, a feature designed to improve operational flexibility in tight urban environments and enables the vehicle to engage threats taking cover in buildings.

A highlight of the RWS is the anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) launcher that can be installed on its left side, which is positioned horizontally and retracted under armour protection during travel and raised when preparing to fire its two ATGMs.

(Jane's)