Hornet Unveils Cutting-Edge Remote-Controlled Weapon Systems at SOFINS 2021 in France
The 2021 iteration of SOFINS presents a prime opportunity for Hornet to showcase its selection of Hornet remote-controlled weapon stations, which have already been selected by the French Army for outfitting its new generation of combat platforms, including the Griffon, Jaguar, and Serval.
As part of the exhibition, Hornet aims to contribute uniquely to the discourse on the advancement of equipment for Special Forces vehicles. This dialogue currently emphasizes the significance of modern systems like remotely operated turrets for Special Forces units, both domestically and internationally.
The Hornet remote-controlled weapon stations feature highly adaptable designs, merging effective tools with cutting-edge sensors. This makes them ideal for surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence operations, as well as facilitating information exchange, blue/red force tracking, enemy target designation, and guiding indirect fire. They can serve as essential assets for search patrols or deep strike units, complementing conventional Special Forces expertise.
In the formation showcased at SOFINS, the Hornet turret delivers exceptional performance within a remarkably compact profile, weighing merely 260 kg without optional features. This weight constraint enables the possibility of utilizing it for extended-range, autonomous missions with nominal equipment and ammunition. The Hornet turrets also outperform traditional circular-mounted weapons in terms of accuracy, especially during movement. They are gyro-stabilized from the optronic unit, providing outstanding stability and precision. The likelihood of hitting the target with the initial shot is enhanced by an advanced ballistic solution calculation system that accounts for various factors such as weapon type, ammunition, distance, target motion, and vehicle dynamics. These diverse capabilities allow for reduced ammunition transport when necessary, while still achieving exceptional tactical outcomes.
Originally designed for regular forces within the Scorpion initiative, the Hornet RCWS can be tailored to meet the highly specific operational needs of Special Forces, honoring the core principles of Special Forces: leveraging equipment innovatively to fulfill their distinct missions.
Drawing from the expertise gained in the Scorpion program RCWS, Hornet now provides premier remotely operated weapon systems equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and functionalities. The current lineup includes the Hornet, the flagship model of the new range, and the Hornet Lite, a streamlined variant boasting identical optronic systems. These RCWS significantly elevate the capabilities of the vehicles they equip, propelling them to entirely new operational paradigms. All Hornet RCWS operators will benefit from insights gained and potential upgrades within the range.
Hornet RCWS have been in service on the Army’s Griffon vehicles since 2019 and will be integrated into all new combat vehicles, beginning with the Jaguar and Serval. The Hornets are central to the collaborative combat capabilities facilitated by the Scorpion initiative, where each RCWS-equipped vehicle can respond to threats detected by other units. Therefore, the Hornet RCWS will play a crucial role in the Army’s operational deployments in the coming decades.
Hornet was formally introduced at IDEX 2021 in Abu Dhabi, focusing on the promotion and marketing of the Hornet range of remotely operated turrets: the Hornet and the Hornet Lite.
