Gyro-stabilized remote machine-gun system

[Preacherman]

There's a very interesting video here, depicting a new remotely-operated gyro-stabilized weapons system mount. It's demonstrated mainly with the M2 .50 BMG machine-gun, but can handle other MG's and grenade launchers. The video's about 6¼ minutes long, but worth viewing.

 

[homeka45]

Nice to see the comments from the men in the field. They deserve the best we can give them.

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

Cool, but I wish whoever did the titles knew the difference between "ordinance" and "ordnance" (at 3:55 in the video). You can be sure their customer does.

 

[Fly320s]

It's a good blend of available technology, and a good system for our soldiers. But, whoever decided on the high school science film type voice over needs his helmet strap loosened. That voice over is terrible.

One strange thing I noticed during the video. Starting at the 2 minute mark, there is a short clip of the M2 SRWS being fired while mounted on a HMMMV. Look closely at the empty cases that are ejected. Where do they go? Has that been edited?

edit: Got it figured out. The editor ran a loop of a very short segment.

 

[GrammatonCleric]

Yawn, let me know when the M-56 smartgun (from Aliens) becomes a reality.

 

[GregGry]

I like it, but the first thing that came to mind, is what happens if someone shoots out the lenses/cameras that are on the setup? Would you be a sitting duck in the vehical, with no way to operate your roof mounted firearm?

 

[GEM]

I want one on my Civic for home defense and mall terrorists. Will it be more effective than racking my shotgun to scare away bad guys?

 

[benEzra]

Link is broken. Can anyone host the file somewhere else?

I like it, but the first thing that came to mind, is what happens if someone shoots out the lenses/cameras that are on the setup? Would you be a sitting duck in the vehical, with no way to operate your roof mounted firearm?

Considering that this system is an alternative to the current system of having a soldier sitting up there behind the gun in a ring mount, having a camera lens shot out is a better outcome than having a soldier shot in the head. The gun becomes non-operational in either case, but (1) a camera lens is a smaller target, and (2) I'd certainly rather a camera take the bullet than a human being...

 

[kel]

How long till local PDs start fielding these at traffic stops?
I give it 20 years for the price to come down and the military having extra worn out ones to give away, just like the ARs.

 

[SSTHitman]

I would be worried about not having any peripheral vision. Awesome idea though....definitely intimidating!

 

[benEzra]

Lack of peripheral vision isn't a problem for those who grew up playing FPS video games...

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htarm/articles/20060310.aspx

But there's another reason, not often talked about, for the success of CROWS. The guys operating these systems grew up playing video games. They developed skills in operating systems (video games) very similar to the CROWS controls. This was important, because viewing the world around the vehicle via a vidcam is not as enlightening (although a lot safer) than having your head and chest exposed to the elements, and any firepower the enemy sends your way. But experienced video gamers are skilled at whipping that screen view around, and picking up any signs of danger. Iraqis are amazed at how observant CROWS is. Iraqis tend to just wrote this off as another example of American "magic." But the troops know better. Video games can save your life.

I'm assuming this is the same system.