Hitrole

Hitrole 12.7 mm on a Rosomak 8×8

The Hitrole is a remote weapons station manufactured by Italian arms company Oto Melara (merged into Leonardo S.p.A., previously Finmeccanica since 2016).[1] The "role" portion of the name is short for "Remotely Operated, Light Electrical".

The turret can mount a variety of lighter automatic weapons, including 5.56 mm (0.219 in), 7.62 mm (0.300 in), and 12.7 mm (0.50 in) machine guns, and 40 mm (1.6 in) automatic grenade launchers.[1][2]

Leonardo recently presented the new line of Lionfish remote-controlled small-caliber systems, which consists of four models: the Ultralight, the Inner Reloading and the Top with a 12.7 mm caliber, and the 20 model with a 20 mm caliber.[3]

The weapon is gyroscopically stabilized.[4] The turret weighs 210–260 kilograms (460–570 lb), depending on the weapon fitted. The gunner's remote optics add an infrared camera and laser range finder to a regular visible light camera.

The gunner is assisted with a fire control computer.[4][5] The fire control computer can help the gunner track moving targets.

In 2009 the Italian Army ordered 81 turrets to equip its Iveco Lince vehicles in Afghanistan.[5]

According to Jane's Navy International the Singapore Navy ordered Hitrole turrets in August 2013.[6] A total of 16 turrets were ordered for Singapore's eight Littoral Mission Vessels.

Versions

  • Hitrole-N
  • Hitrole-L
  • Hitrole-NT (since 2008[7])
  • Hitrole-G (since 2012[8])
  • Hitrole-20 (since 2014[9])

Operators

Map with Hitrole operators in blue

Platforms using the Oto-Melara Hitrole include:

Current operators

 United Arab Emirates
 Germany
 Italy
 Malaysia
 Mexico
 Netherlands
 Pakistan
  • (2 Hitrole-N)
 Singapore
 Turkmenistan
  • (Hitrole-N)

References

  1. ^ a b "Background – CF Remote Control Heavy Machine Gun Project". Canadian American Strategic Review. Archived from the original on 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2013-09-12. OTO claims that both systems are better protected than rival RWSs.
  2. ^ "Hitrole". Oto Melara. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
  3. ^ "Leonardo presents Lionfish new family of naval defense turrets". www.navyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  4. ^ a b "Hitrole Light RWS 5.56 - 7.62 - 12.7 - AGL 40 mm". Oto Melara. Retrieved 2013-09-12. The HITROLE Light FCS consists of a modular sighting system including a Day TV camera, an IR camera for night vision and an eye safe LRF. The FCS architecture is open and provides growth potential for system upgrade. Both sighting system and firing are computer assisted and operated from a protected position inside the vehicle through a multi function display and joystick.
  5. ^ a b Mark Rutherford (2009-11-09). "Italian troops to button up against IEDs". CNet. Retrieved 2013-09-12. The Italian Army has ordered 81 Hitrole Light remote controlled weapon stations for its Iveco Lince vehicles in response to increased IED attacks in Afghanistan, according to the Italian Ministry of Defense.
  6. ^ Luca Peruzzi (2013-08-13). "Singapore selects Hitrole for close-in ship defence". Jane's Navy International. Genoa, Italy. Retrieved 2013-09-12. Oto Melara has been selected to supply its Hitrole 12.7 mm remotely controlled weapon station to the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) under a contract revealed in Finmeccanica's 2013 first-half results, published on 1 August.
  7. ^ "EUR 80M to OTO Melara for F125 Frigate Gun Systems". Defense Industry Daily. 10 April 2007. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  8. ^ Administrator (30 March 2012). "Oto Melara presented the new HITROLE-G RWS at DIMDEX 2012". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  9. ^ nathan. "OTO Melara offers new short range defense solution: the HITROLE 20mm". Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  10. ^ Dina El Shammaa, Abu Dhabi Deputy Editor (25 February 2011). "Al Fattan seals major orders". Retrieved 18 October 2015. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  11. ^ "Malaysian Coast Guard Orders 18 HITROLE Naval Turrets". 2011-04-13. Archived from the original on 2013-04-07. Retrieved 2018-09-24. In response to the stringent requirements of the emerging warfare, the 12,7 Hitrole Naval systems have been conceived to produce the top level of performance, including when operating in synergy with the other cooperating equipments.
  12. ^ "Equipment - - Page 5". Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  13. ^ "Mexican Navy Orders Five HITROLE 12.7mm Naval Turret". Deagel. 2011-12-21. Archived from the original on 2017-11-07. Retrieved 2018-09-24. On the 1st of September 2011 Oto Melara signed a contract with the Mexican Navy for the supply of 5 turrets Hitrole N 12.7 and the related logistic support, to be delivered within the year 2012.
  14. ^ "Navy Careers - Our Assets - Littoral Mission Vessel". Archived from the original on 2018-09-25. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
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