Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station

File:M2-Katlanit001.jpg M2 Browning machine gun mounted on Katlanit RCWS]]

File:Pandur_II_with_RCWS-30.JPG & M240 machine gun & Spike LR mounted on Czech Pandur II IFV]]

The Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS), also known as Katlanit (קטלנית in Hebrew: "lethal") is a remote weapon system (RWS) 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 .50 BMG machine guns, 40 mm automatic grenade launchers, anti-tank missiles and observation pods.[http://www.rafael.co.il/marketing/area.aspx?FolderID=402&docID=990 Rafael Armament Development Authority]

Variants

There are a total of three variants of the Samson family:

Samson Jr. ROWS - for 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns, weighing {{convert|60|-|75|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.
Mini Samson ROWS - for 12.7 mm and 14.5 mm machine guns, as well as 40 mm grenade launcher, weighing {{convert|140|-|160|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, similar to that of Mini Typhoon naval ROWS and OWS.
Standard Samson - for guns with calibre ranging from {{convert|20|-|40|mm|abbr=on}}, weighing {{convert|1.5|tonne|ton}}, similar to that of standard Typhoon naval ROWS and OWS.

For example, the Samson Remote Controlled Weapon System for 30 mm autocannon is designed to be mounted on lightly-armoured, high-mobility military vehicles and operated by a gunner or vehicle commander operating under-the-deck. It offers optional SPIKE guided missile, smoke grenade launcher, and embedded trainer. The RCWS 30 is a product of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.{{Cite web |url=http://www.rafael.co.il/marketing/SIP_STORAGE/FILES/8/628.pdf |title=RAFAEL marketing PDF for RCWS 30 |access-date=2007-06-05 |archive-date=2015-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924084513/http://www.rafael.co.il/marketing/SIP_STORAGE/FILES/8/628.pdf }}

Israel has also installed a variant of the Samson RCWS in pillboxes along the Israeli Gaza Strip barrier.{{cite web |url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogscript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3A27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3A344244b3-3fee-4dfc-be03-992bf38a6f19 |title=Weaponized Sentry-Tech Towers Protecting Hot Borders |publisher=Aviation Week |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429010118/http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogscript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3A27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3A344244b3-3fee-4dfc-be03-992bf38a6f19 |archive-date=April 29, 2011}}

The Sentry Tech system, dubbed Roeh-Yoreh (Sees-Fires) in IDF service deployed on the Gaza fence, enables camera operators located in a rear-located intelligence base to engage border threats using the 12.7 mm heavy machine gun and the SPIKE guided missile.[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/JlLawInfoSci/2012/3.html "Lethal Robotic Technologies: The Implications for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law"] Philip Alston, Journal of Law, Information and Science, 2012

Operators

File:Samson operators.png

=Current operators=

{{AZE}}:
{{CAN}}:
{{COL}}: LAV III[http://www.armyrecognition.com/december_2012_new_army_military_defence_industry/army_colombia_has_selected_lav_iii_8x8_armoured_vehicle_for_its_mechanized_infantry_units_2912123.html Samson RWS on Colombian LAV III] – Armyrecognition.com, December 29, 2012
{{CRO}}: 4 stations initially procured for needs of Croatian Army, installed and tested on M84D and M95 tanks, but eventually Croatian Army opted for Protector RWS, 12.7 mm and 30 mm.
{{CZE}}: Pandur II{{cite web|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/czech-apcs-to-carry-rafaels-rcws30-01845/|title=Czech APCs to Carry RAFAEL's RCWS-30|date=2006-02-07|publisher=Defense Industry Daily|access-date=7 September 2011}}
{{ISR}}: IDF Namer, some IDF Achzarit, some HMMWV
{{USA}}: Infantry Carrier Vehicle Dragoon{{Cite web |last=Peck |first=Michael |title=How the US Army botched a $1 billion upgrade of the Stryker armored vehicle's gun |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/us-army-botched-1-billion-upgrade-of-stryker-armored-gun-2024-4 |access-date=2024-04-21 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}
{{ESP}}: RG-31 Nyala
{{TUR}}: Otokar Cobra
{{SIN}}: Hunter AFV{{Cite web |title=Singapore Army commissions Hunter AFV {{!}} Shephard |url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/singapore-army-commissions-hunter-afv/ |access-date=2024-04-21 |website=www.shephardmedia.com |language=en}}
{{KOR}}: Hyundai Wia
{{UK}}: Alvis Stormer
{{LIT}}: 88 German Boxer Infantry Fighting Vehicles with Rafael's weapon stations with 30 mm cannons and "Spike LR" antitank missiles{{Cite web|url=http://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/content/lithuania-purchase-88-ifvs-rafael-made-weapon-stations|title=Lithuania to Purchase 88 IFVs with Rafael-made Weapon Stations|date=22 August 2016}}