Typhoon Weapon Station

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Typhoon armed with 25 mm gun on Shaldag-class patrol boat of the Israeli Navy. Typhoon25mm001.jpg
Typhoon armed with 25 mm gun on Shaldag-class patrol boat of the Israeli Navy.

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.

Contents

The Typhoon, and its lightweight variant, Mini Typhoon, are used by the Israeli Navy, Indian Navy, Philippine Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, the Republic of Singapore Navy, [1] Sri Lankan Navy and Singapore's Police Coast Guard. [2]

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 milliradians (mrad), allowing it to keep the weapon aimed to within 250 millimetres (9.8 in) on a target 1,000 metres (3,300 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 kilograms (1,520 and 1,650 lb) without ammunition, depending on the guns and sensors mounted.

By 2006, more than 120 Typhoon systems had been ordered.[ citation needed ]

Variants

Mini Typhoon

Mini Typhoon is a lightweight, remote-controlled weapon station based on the Typhoon. [3] It can be fitted with a 12.7 mm (.50) machine gun, a 7.62 mm machine gun, or a 40 mm grenade launcher, with a magazine of up to 230 rounds. [3] The system has an accuracy rating of 0.5 mrad, weighs between 140 and 170 kilograms (310 and 370 lb), depending on the weapon fitted, and can be installed without structural penetration of a ship's deck. [3] The mini Typhoon is also mounted on the Protector USV (unmanned surface vehicle) as the Mk49 Mod 0. [4] [ unreliable source? ] [5]

Typhoon Mk-30c

Typhoon Mk-30c is a new variant equipped with the 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster II and 200 ready use rounds. [6]

Operators

Map with Typhoon operators in blue. Typhoon Operators (2020).png
Map with Typhoon operators in blue.
The Typhoon Mounting the 25mm M242 Bushmaster on board the Australian ship HMAS Armidale. Armidale main gun.jpg
The Typhoon Mounting the 25mm M242 Bushmaster on board the Australian ship HMAS Armidale.
Stern view of HMAS Parramatta in January 2010. Note the two Mini Typhoon mounts fitted one each side of the hangar roof. HMAS Parramatta stern Jan2010.JPG
Stern view of HMAS Parramatta in January 2010. Note the two Mini Typhoon mounts fitted one each side of the hangar roof.
MK-38 25mm gun system.jpg
Mk38 Mod2 on board Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Vella Gulf
US Navy 110722-N-XQ375-242 Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Travis Hoffman fires a MK 38 25mm machine gun during a gun exercise aboard the guided-missile de.jpg
Manual operation mode.

Current operators

Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Flag of India.svg  India
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel - with M242 Bushmasters
Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines
Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore
Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States

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References

Notes
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  2. 1 2 Muhammad Juffry, Bin Joihani (Jul–Aug 2009). "PCG upgrades with new fleet and training centre". Police Life Monthly. 35 (7). Singapore: Singapore Police Force. ISSN   0217-8699. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Scott, Richard (12 December 2007). "Enhanced small-calibre systems offer shipborne stopping power". International Defence Review. Jane's Information Group.[ permanent dead link ]
  4. 1 2 "RSN – Assets – Unmanned Surface Vehicles". MINDEF. 2 June 2010. Archived from the original on 14 February 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  5. 1 2 "Protector Unmanned Surface Vehicle". Defense Update. 5 May 2006. Archived from the original on 4 November 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  6. "TyphoonTM Mk-30c World-leading Stabilised Naval Gun" (PDF). Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. March 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  7. Tillett, Andrew (14 December 2021). "Defence quietly cancels another navy contract – after denying problems". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
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  11. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-12-02. Retrieved 2012-09-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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  17. http://defense-update.com/20121031_us-navy-tests-rafael-spike-missiles-on-unmanned-vessels.html Archived 2013-01-17 at the Wayback Machine US Navy Tests Rafael Spike Missiles on Unmanned vessels
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