M151 Protector with an M2 heavy machine gun on an M1126 Stryker vehicle.
The M151 PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Station is a remotely-controlled weapons station (RWS) that can be mounted to vehicles and stationary platforms. It is manufactured by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace [1] of Kongsberg, Norway.
The PROTECTOR is commonly used by the US Army Stryker Brigades.[2][3]
Overview[]
The system consists of a stabilized firing platform, a fire control system and control grips. Several weapons can be mounted to the platform, such as:
- M2 .50 cal heavy machine gun
- M240/MAG-58 7.62 mm machine gun
- M249/mini-mi 5.56mm machine gun
- MK19 40 mm grenade launcher
- H&K GMG 40 mm grenade launcher
- XM307 Advanced Crew-Served Weapon [4]
- Javelin anti-tank guided missile (ATGM)
- Hellfire ATGM [5] (from a modified PROTECTOR)
The system, also features 4 M6 Smoke Grenade Dischargers.
Versions[]
M151 versions[]
- M151 PROTECTOR – deployed with the first Stryker brigades
- M151 E1 (Block 1) – includes improved thermal cameras
- M151 E2 (Block 2) – stabilized version
- Several country specific adaptations
Other variants[]
- PROTECTOR Lite
- PROTECTOR CROWS II
- Sea PROTECTOR – for naval applications
- PROTECTOR NM221 – includes internal ammunition feed
Operator countries[]
A M151 PROTECTOR on a Stryker ICV
In addition to the home country 
Norway's M113 APC and Tactica vehicles (PROTECTOR NM221), and the Iveco LMV (PROTECTOR Lite), the PROTECTOR is widely used internationally.
Current operators:
(listed alphabetically)
Australia – ASLAV PC vehicle- Canada – RG-31 vehicle
- Czech Republic – LMV
- Finland – Patria AMV vehicle
- France – Renault VAB
- Ireland – Mowag Piranha IIIH CRV and RG-32M LTV
- Luxembourg – Dingo 2 vehicle
- Netherlands – Boxer vehicle
- Portugal – Pandur II
- Switzerland – Piranha I vehicle
- United Kingdom - [used on bulldog and mastiff vehicles in Iraq and Afghanistan
- United States – Stryker and M1A2 Abrams (the latter a main battle tank), plus numerous other vehicles
Planned operators:
- Slovenia: Patria AMV
- Croatia: Patria AMV, Iveco LMV, M-95, Croatian Romobil-two wheeler
- Sweden: Sisu Pasi, ARCHER Artillery System, RG 32
Gallery[]
References[]
The original article can be found at M151 Protector and the edit history here.