(M153A4 Crows Low-Profile Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System)
ARMAMENT
Spoiler
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1x Kongsberg M153A4 Crows Tech Refresh remote controlled weapon station
-Thermal sight: 3rd Gen TS-III
-Color Day Camera: 1° to 45° with continuous Field of View (FOV)
-Thermal: 3° & 11.0 ° FOVs (standard CROWS); up to 45° wide FOV (Tech Refresh)
-Four-axis targeting system; Three-axis vector stabilization; Laser range-finder; Auto scan/auto focus; Auto lead/auto tracker-
Primary armament: 12.7x99mm M2 Browning Machinegun
-Machinegun: M2 Browning
-Ammunition mixture (2x MP, 1x MP-T) :
-Armor penetration RHAe NM160MP-T: 22 Millimeter at 100 Meter
-Armor penetration RHAe NM140MP: 10.6 Millimeter at 100 Meter -
-Secondary Armament: Echodyne EchoShield Radar
-Frequency: Ku-band (15.4 – 16.6 GHz)
-Range: Up to 30 km (mission-defined)
-Field of View (FoV): 130° Azimuth x 90° Elevation
-Size: 42.5 cm x 33 cm x 18 cm
-Weight: 17.8 kg (39.2 lbs)
-Power: <250W (Operating), <100W (Hot Standby)
-Track Accuracy: <0.5° Azimuth x <0.5° Elevation
-Max Tracks: >1,000
-Technology: Cognitive 4D MESA (Metamaterials ESA)
-Performance & Features:
-Cognitive Radar: Uses software to dynamically adapt waveforms and beam steering for optimal resource allocation.
-Rich Data Output: Delivers high-fidelity data (tracks, measurements, spectrograms) via 10 Gbps Ethernet.
-Mission Sets: Software-configurable for C-UAS, Airspace Management, Perimeter Surveillance, and more.
-Environmental: IP67 rated, MIL-STD-810H compliant, operating temp -40°C to +65°C.
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1x Kongsberg Protector RS2 remote controlled weapon station
-Placement: Rear of the vehicle
-Weight: ~60 kg (without weapon and ammunition).
-Stabilization: Fully stabilized for accurate firing while the platform moves.
-Optics: Includes stabilized day/night sensors and laser rangefinder.
-Fire Control: Advanced system with automatic lead angle, cant/tilt compensation, and target tracking.
-Platform: Universal design for wheeled, tracked, or static platforms.
-Crew Safety: Allows remote operation from inside a protected vehicle.
-Combat Proven: Built on the same reliable technology as other Protector RWS systems.- Primary armament:1x 5.56mm FN Minimi machinegun
-Machinegun: FN Minimi
-Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
-Action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt, open bolt
-Feed System: 200-round M27 disintegrating belts, STANAG magazines (20/30/40-round), or drum -mags.
-Cyclic Rate: 700-1150 rounds per minute (varies by setting/magazine use).
-Barrel: Cold hammer-forged, quick-change, 465mm (18.3 in) standard.
-Weight: Approx. 7.5 kg (16.5 lbs) empty.
-Length: Approx. 1040 mm (41 in) with fixed stock.
-Sights: Post front, aperture rear, adjustable 300-1000m; optional optics rai
- Primary armament:1x 5.56mm FN Minimi machinegun
TECHNICAL DATA
Hull: SRTV-SXV-XL
Length: 4.31 Meter
Width: 1.98 Meter
Height: 1.75 Meter
Curb Weight: 1723.65 Kg
GVWR: 3628.73 Kg
Top Speed: 128.7 Km/h
HP/TQ: 170 hp/315 ft-lbs
HISTORY
The vehicle is by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace being named “Utah Vehicle” but the vehicle itself is an XLT3-5 from AM General and is an light tactical vehicle. It’s a vehicle designed to be lightweight and durable, but also rugged and versatile, this vehicle was first seen at AUSA in 2019, its hard to find detailed specifications about its eigne. This combination is according to the interviews held with Kongsberg, a sort of a SOCOM variant. This kind of vehicle has been seen at earlier and later events, and each time with a different configuration that Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace is exhibiting/demonstration to the international market or others with interest. The vehicles and weapon stations are fully operational in the events. The vehicle is likely Kongsberg’s own owned vehicle.
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has since the early 2000’s been producing and developing remote stations on an increasing scale, with the development beginning in the 1990’s. They didn’t begin developing and producing larger medium caliber turrets until 2013, with the first contracts and major upgrades starting in early 2016. There has been a large market for their products, with lots of nations using several of their remote stations in many different configurations, and they have regularly been awarded major contracts. As a result, Kongsberg Defence has started an important forum, PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Stations Users Working Group which they have been annually hosting for approx. 15 years. The purpose of these meetings is to forster collaboration with other nations and companies, as this group consists of 28 user nations. Its also held to share knowledge and strategic alignment with it’s customers and partners and for shaping future requirements and ensure systems meet evolving operational demands and threats.
With each meeting, Kongsberg Defence is showing off new tech and products and various solutions to the other users and customers, with live fire testing and demonstrations of the systems, which are mounted on several vehicles to show the possibilities. These meetings have been held in several locations, in 2022 a demonstration was held in Slovakia, the next year it was held in Norway at Kongsberg’s own range & areas, and this year in Detroit, Usa. These demonstrations did among much other stuff include a Patria ifv with a Kongsberg RT20 turret, a robotic combat vehicle from their collaboration with Milrem robotics featuring a RT20 turret, a pandur 1 with a RS6 remote weapon station just to mention a few.
One XLT3-5 with the Kongsberg M153A4 Crows Tech Refresh remote controlled weapon station mounted on the roof, with 1x 12.7mm M2 browing machinegun integrated and one very effective Echodyne EchoShield Radar. In the rear of the vehicle we have a “lesser known” Kongsberg Protector RS2 which is the absolute smallest and lightest weapon station they are producing, but has been in production the longest, it has been shown on several other occasions, with the latest being last year 2024. This weapon station has an FN minimi machinegun chambered in 5.56mm. The vehicle in this configuration has not entered service within any nation nor trialed, and is a fully operational demonstrator by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace shown at the annual AUSA 2025.
Image showing the RS2 in the rear
IN GAME
The vehicle is ineffective against the armored vehicles it will face, with some exceptions being it can damage and in some cases destroy very lightly armored ifv’s and most of the spaa’s. The vehicle however shines in it’s intended role, which is in an anti UAV/Anti air role. If it’s mobility and speed is utilized properly, this can be really good at countering low flying aircrafts, helicopter and especially drones, as well as missiles/atgm’s in the air. It’s also able to effectively protect itself against incoming missiles etc with it’s radar systems. It will also highly likely be a good candidate if there are more drone stuff introduced in the future of Warthunder’s combined battles.
SOURCES
Spoiler
https://x.com/2805662/status/1977827695108280568
This week we are at AUSA in Washington where we are showing of world leading solutions within a range of capabilites including counter-UAS. | Kjetil Myhra
Getty Images
https://x.com/Zonamilitar1/status/1977833809828524353/photo/1
FN Minimi - Wikipedia
https://www.kongsberg.com/contentassets/edf9bf6111fe495aaa998c0d0f498033/kps_cmd_2014.pdf
M2 Browning – Wikipedia
EchoShield® Radar – Long-Range 4D Drone Detection & Tracking
Utah Vehicle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8SCI6bUdJk
SRTV-SXV-XL - BC Customs
AUSA 2020: AM General presents its new generation of Light Tactical Vehicle called X-LT3
https://www.amgeneral.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/AM-General-X-LT3.pdf
- Yes
- No