US Army Awards Contract For Advanced Crew-Served Weapon Sights

Leonardo DRS’ Family of Weapon Sight-Crew Served (FWS-CS) system automatically calculates the target hit location, allowing the user to increase the probability of hitting the first burst of rounds on target By DA Staff / 13 Oct 2021

Discover Leading Defense Technology Solutions

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Leonardo DRS FWS-CS
Follow DA

Leonardo DRS has received a contract from the U.S. Army to produce advanced infrared machinegun weapon sights with automatic targeting. This is the second contract awarded to Leonardo DRS by the U.S. Army for the Family of Weapon Sight-Crew Served (FWS-CS). 

Valued at $18.9m, the contract is for the low-rate initial production phase.

Leonardo DRS will be the sole producer of the advanced, uncooled, FWS-CS. The FWS-CS system automatically calculates the target hit location, allowing the user to increase the probability of hitting the first burst of rounds on target. The advanced technology uses a state-of-the-art ballistic computer to operate in various environmental conditions to automatically calculate and provide the gunner with a target hit point.  

The complete FWS-CS system includes the weapon sight, wireless remote, and wireless helmet-mounted display. The system integrates a high-resolution 10um high-definition thermal focal plane array, color day camera, laser range finder and ballistic solution calculator to auto-adjust reticles for range and environmental conditions, allowing users to fire the weapon precisely with the disturbed reticle technology. 

“We are excited to partner with our customer and bring this advanced technology to crew-served weapons giving mounted soldiers an extensive advantage on the battlefield,” said Doug Ransom, Vice President of Business Development.  

“We are proud of our long legacy of advanced EO/IR battlefield technology that allowed us to develop this first optic to use disturbed reticle technology.”

The FWS-CS communicates on the inter-soldier wireless network protocols using the ultra-wideband link. This capability allows the squad leader wireless capability to check their gunner’s sight picture. 

It can be used as a weapon-mounted sensor used for surveillance and enhanced target engagement of crew served weapons during daylight, darkness, adverse weather, and austere battlefield conditions. The mounted operator can detect and recognize targets at greater distances than their crew served weapon system’s maximum effective range.

Production of the FWS-CS will be in the company’s Electro-Optical Infrared Systems facility Melbourne, Florida.

Posted by DA Staff Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Enhancing Border Security with the Sentinel Counter-Drone System

Alpine Eagle outlines the capabilities of its Sentinel counter-drone system to target the rising threats of weaponized drones at borders and critical infrastructure, leveraging AI-driven drone swarms to detect, track, and intercept UAS in real-time

Feb 10, 2025
Military Trial Showcases Robot Dog for Bomb Disposal

Robotic canines were used in a recent bomb disposal trial by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), aiming to minimize the dangers faced by military personnel and improve operational effectiveness

Feb 10, 2025
Teledyne FLIR Unveils Software Solution to Enhance UAS Automation & AI Capabilities

Teledyne FLIR introduces Prism Supervisor, enhancing UAS capabilities by integrating autopilot systems with AI-driven analytics, enabling real-time mission adaptation, automation, and synchronized multi-UAV operations for improved efficiency and success

Feb 10, 2025
U.S. Navy Navigation Capabilities Enhanced with Upgraded INS/GPS Technology

Northrop Grumman’s LN-251M upgrade enhances the U.S. Navy’s airborne navigation with advanced M-code technology, offering improved resistance to GPS jamming and spoofing threats

Feb 10, 2025
U.S. Army Orders Advanced Manpack & Leader Radios to Equip Soldiers

The U.S. Army has awarded L3Harris Technologies with full-rate production orders for its Manpack and Leader radios, delivering secure, resilient battlefield communications for soldiers

Feb 07, 2025
XENTA Air Defense Radar Upgraded with Cambridge Pixel Software

Cambridge Pixel has delivered a high-performance radar control and display system for Weibel Scientific’s XENTA surveillance radar, enhancing tracking, control, and integration capabilities

Feb 07, 2025

Featured Content

Creomagic Demonstrates Secure Backhaul Technology for Tactical Communications

Creomagic has successfully demonstrated a robust and secure backhaul solution for mobile LTE base stations, leveraging its CreoLand MANET technology in collaboration with a key defense partner

Feb 06, 2025
Greensea IQ Expands Defense Leadership with Record Growth

After successful contracts for the Bayonet AUGV with the US Navy, US Marine Corps, and foreign militaries, Greensea IQ has closed a record-breaking year of growth in 2024

Jan 31, 2025
Latest Software Bundle Released for ISR Quadcopter

PDW CORE is the latest software package from PDW featuring a user-friendly touch interface, a PDW flight simulator, mission planning tools, an ATAK plug-in, and a laptop-compatible C100 updater

Jan 30, 2025
Revector’s Latest 4-Channel Covert Solution for Tactical Operations

Revector’s newly launched IMSI locator, the 4-channel Portable Covert Unit 2.0, delivers improved performance, flexibility, and rugged design, tailored for demanding security, defense, and search-and-rescue operations

Jan 27, 2025
Galvion Releases New Helmets for Military & SAR

Galvion is exhibiting new helmets at SHOT Show 2025 in Las Vegas, The Batlskin Hellbender TE (Tactical Edition) and the Batlskin Caiman SAR (Search and Rescue)

Jan 23, 2025
What is MIL-DTL-38999?

Micropol breaks down the definition, benefits, and roles of the MIL-DTL-38999 connector, a robust and reliable cornerstone in modern military and aerospace connectivity

Jan 21, 2025