According to German sources, today the German ground forces are experiencing significant problems with field carriages for military machine guns. To overcome it, the command intends to purchase the appropriate equipment on the international market. In this regard, the SMASH Hopper, a product of the Israeli company Smartshooter, is of interest. According to the manufacturer, several years ago he developed a multifunctional system suitable for various tasks, from a field carriage to a light remotely controlled weapon station.
SMASH Hopper Weapon Station with Automatic Rifle
According to the Smartshooter management, the SMASH Hopper remote–controlled weapon station is part of the SMASH family of innovative guidance and fire control systems designed to significantly increase the probability of hitting both ground and air targets with the first shot. The real result is achieved due to the algorithm developed by the company for automatic target tracking with continuous calculation of the breakpoint and opening fire in real time. A big advantage of the product is the ability to remotely control an active fire weapon, which is much safer for soldiers and reduces their vulnerability on the battlefield.
With regard to the German Ground forces' need to modernize the MG3 and MG5 machine gun carriages, Israeli products not only preserve the ability of the old carriage to effectively hit enemy infantry at a range of up to 1,200 m, but also provide additional functionality to combat enemy unmanned aerial vehicles.
SMASH Hopper on a tripod
The weapon station is a multifunctional system, which implies the possibility of not only integrating any small arms, but also installing portable anti-tank weapons in service with most armies of the world. After installing the appropriate weapon sample, its ballistic data is simply transmitted to the fire control device. At the same time, depending on the location and task, the user can change the means of destruction and, thus, choose their optimal combination. For example, in relation to the Bundeswehr, in one case it may be an MG5, in another it may be a bazooka or a G28 rifle with an optical sight.
Placement of a weapons station on an unmanned vehicle
In addition, there is no dependence on the carrier platform. SMASH Hopper can be mounted on a tripod, a mast, as well as on manned and unmanned vehicles. The manufacturer is currently reviewing requests for offshore platforms. With a weight of only 15 kg, SMASH Hopper switches quickly and flexibly from one platform to another. This allows you to use the system, for example, as a weapon station on a transport vehicle, and after dismounting, carry it with you in a backpack and subsequently install it on a building element or use it as a field carriage.
The weapon station is of additional interest due to the open system architecture of the SMASH family, which makes it easy to integrate, expand and update the software. All devices in the family can be connected to various combat control systems (C4I) and external sensors such as gunshot detectors and drone sensors.
Thus, by increasing the GPS tracking capabilities of friendly forces and enemy units (Blue Force and Red Force), as well as points of interest (POIs) in sighting optics, it is possible to distribute the location image according to the level of command down to a single shooter. In addition, each shooter has the ability to generate and transmit accurate messages about the enemy. As a result, SMASH technology makes a significant contribution to the development of the combat network from the sensor to the shooter.
Of course, the device itself initially has a higher cost than standard equipment and sights. However, taking into account the service life of the product, saving ammunition and time for training personnel, the picture is changing. In addition, the SMASH Hopper weapon station offers increased shooter protection and enhanced drone protection capabilities. According to the manufacturer, these advantages pay off and are investments in the future.
Installation of a weapon station in a building window
The approximate scenarios of the combat use of SMASH Hopper are also of interest. Among them, for example, options for organizing the protection of field warehouses are being considered, according to which several weapons stations are distributed around the perimeter of the warehouse, providing round-the-clock monitoring of the area and control of several SMASH Hoppers stations from the control room. This approach gives a much better positional image to the operator, eliminates the classic watchtowers and reduces the number of guard personnel.
It is reported that the manufacturer has currently received many requests regarding the use of SMASH Hopper in urban environments. It is believed that the system is excellent for monitoring rooms and areas of the terrain, defeating enemy infantry shelters and fighting tanks. Soldiers will be able to scout the enemy from a safe distance, report on him, and then activate hand-held and anti-tank handguns in accordance with the situation.
According to the developers, there are a lot of combat options for the SMASH Hopper weapon station, since the system is extremely innovative and adaptable. In order to fully exploit the potential of this technology, new application options and combat scenarios are constantly being developed together with customers. With SMASH Hopper, the Bundeswehr will gain perspective and connectivity, regardless of which handguns, platforms, or features become available in the future.
According to the materials of the resource soldat-und-technik.de
