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Introduction
The Moog Reconfigurable Integrated Weapons Platform (RIwP) is a modular, lightweight, remote, armoured turret developed by Moog Inc, a military hardware manufacturer. It is developed to be ‘component agnostic’, meaning it is plug-and-play with a whole host of different weapon systems from customer nations. The modularity of the turret means it is highly configurable, able to be set up with ATGMs, AAMs, Autocannons, LMGs, Observation equipment, or a combination of the above.
The Ridgeback 4x4 is a Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicle, developed to address the UK Ministry of Defence’s need for troop safety in high-threat environments. Designed with enhanced protection against IEDs and small arms, the Ridgeback, a development of the US Cougar MRAP (itself a development of South African vehicles) is a behemoth of a truck, weighing in at over 17 tons. It’s V-Shape structural hull is designed to reflect, redirect, and survive several anti-tank mines detonated simultaneously underneath the vehicle.
The first Ridgebacks were delivered to the UK in August 2008, and they were deployed in to Afghanistan in September 2009. They Cougar/Ridgeback family are credited with saving a significant number of lives from IEDs and anti-vehicle mines.
At Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD) 2024, in Bedfordshire, NP aerospace showcased the Moog RIwP mounted on the Ridgeback 4x4. The Moog RIwP was outfitted for the current Short Range Air Ddefence (SHORAD) requirement as part of the British Army’s Land Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) programme, with its main armament being launchers for the Starstreak HVM and Thales Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM), as well as a 30mm XM914 Autocannon, capable of firing 30mm proxy and airburst ammunitions, and a 7.62 mm machine gun. Detection of aerial targets is provided by the advanced electro-optical (E/O) sensor suite.
In game, this would serve as a sidegrade for the Stormer HVM, with additional lethality and self-defence capabilites with the 30mm Autocannon, but lacking the search/scan capabilities, meaning planes and helicopters would have to be located with the E/O system and Eyeballs Mk 1 before being engaged.
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