KTO Rosomak (Samson RCWS-30)

PiekarzV2 · July 31, 2026, 11:28pm

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KTO Rosomak with RCWS-30

HISTORY

Following the selection of the Finnish Patria AMV 8x8 platform by the Polish Ministry of National Defence in December 2002 and its adoption as the KTO Rosomak (produced by WZM S.A., now Rosomak S.A.)

Under the original 2003 contract between the Polish Ministry of National Defence and WZM S.A. for 690 KTO Rosomak vehicles, initial plans included 313 combat variants equipped with the manned Oto Melara Hitfist-30P turret. Although 96 of these Hitfist-30P turrets were originally intended to be integrated with Spike-LR anti-tank guided missile launchers, funding for the integration was omitted from the base contract and left for separate future decisions that were never finalized. Following a comprehensive review of the program by the Land Forces Command, updated plans proposed replacing general personnel carrier versions with 159 combat vehicles featuring 30 mm Mk.44 cannons alongside integrated Spike-LR launchers.

Integrating the Spike missile into the existing Hitfist-30P turret presented significant financial obstacles. A research and development proposal submitted by Oto Melara, Rafael, and Bumar carried an estimated cost of 200 million PLN, which was deemed far too high by the Land Forces Command. Because of this, decision-makers began considering a new tender for an entirely different turret system. At the time, the two primary market options with pre-existing, integrated Spike capabilities were unmanned Israeli turrets: the Rafael RCWS-30 and the Elbit ORCWS-30.

AMV with RCWS-30 during tests in Finland

A prototype demonstrator was fitted with the Rafael Samson RCWS-30 during the MSPO 2007 in Kielce, it integrated a 30mm Bushmaster Mk.44 automatic cannon, a coaxial 7.62mm FN MAG, and a retractable launcher for Spike LR anti-tank guided missiles. Coupled with 2nd-generation thermal camera, day camera, and an video tracker, the unmanned turret allowed both crew members to operate safely inside the protected hull chassis. While procuring 159 new turrets of any type was estimated to cost over 500 million PLN, selecting a lighter unmanned station offered the added technical benefit of potentially being utilized across other projects, such as the planned modernization of up to 500 BWP-1 infantry fighting vehicles.

Trialed abroad on Patria AMV, the Samson RCWS-30 demonstrated excellent fire control accuracy, an impressive gun elevation range, and a high standard of two-plane stabilization. Although the Polish Armed Forces ultimately prioritized the development of domestic remote turret programs, which eventually led to the development of the ZSSW-30 turret system.

CHARACTERISTICS

ARMAMENT

Turret: Samson RCWS-30

Horizontal guidance speed: 1 rad/s (≈57.3 deg/s)

30mm Bushmaster Mk.44

Elevation: -20°/+60°

Two-plane stabilizer

Fire rate: 200 rds/m

Ammo capacity: 200 rds ready racked

Ammo:

Standard 30mm ammunition

7,62 mm FN MAG

Ammo capacity: 460 rds ready racked

Spike LR launcher

MSPO2007-552000×1500 227 KB

Ammo capacity: 1 ready to use

MOBILITY

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Crew (2): Driver, Gunner

Engine: Scania DI 12 49 A 03 P

power: 360 kW / ≈489 PS @ 2100 rpm

Max torque: 1974 Nm @ 1500 rpm

Transmission: ZF 7HP902 S Ecomat

Gears: 7 forward, 1 reverse

Max speed: 100 km/h

Max speed in water: 10 km/h

Max reverse speed in water: 3,3 km/h

Combat weight: ~21 000 kg

Turn radius: 12 m

Amphibious

ARMOR

STANAG 4569 protection

Hull Front: Level IV
Sides and back: Level III

Hull is made of 8 mm of ARMSTAL 500 (HHA) and front from ARMSTAL 550 while floor is made of ARMSTAL 450

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Side panels mounted on the hull are made of 6mm ARMSTAL 500 with 35mm air gap which can be filled with foam to enchance protection

3064ffaaa1152×768 1.15 MB

Educational cross-sections of the KTO Rosomak chassis

OPTICS, ELECTRONICS

Gunner optic:

Daylight camera

Thermal camera

2nd generation

Videotracker

Driver opitc:

PNK-72 night vision

FOV: 30°

DIMENSIONS

Overall length (A): 7880 mm
Front overhang (B): 1760 mm
Wheelbase (C): 1400 mm
Wheelbase (D): 1700 mm
Wheelbase (E): 1450 mm
Overall width (F): 2830 mm
Front track (G): 2450 mm
Ground clearence (H): 430 mm
Height with turret (I): ? mm

Summarized characteristics

Crew (2)
- Driver, gunner
30mm Bushmaster Mk.44
- Ammo: Standard 30mm
- Elevation: -20°/+60°
- Two-plane stabilizer
- Fire rate: 200 rds/m
7,62 mm FN MAG
Gunner sight
- 2nd Gen thermals
Video tracker
Combat weight: ~21 t
Engine: Scania DI 12 360 kW / ≈489 PS
- Max speed: 100 km/h
- Max speed in water: 10 km/h
Length 7,88 m Width: 2,83 m Height: ? m