Recon/Optical, Inc. (ROI) produces the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) for the U.S. Army PEO Soldier/Project Manager Soldier Weapons, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey. CROWS is a two-axis stabilized (azimuth and elevation) gunner-operated weapon system, permitting the gunner to effectively engage targets from a moving vehicle. It mounts to a number of vehicles such as the M1114 up-armored HMMWV (Armored Scouts/Military Police), M1116 Up-armored HMMWV (U.S. Air Force) and M1117 Armored Security Vehicle (Military Police).
CROWS provides the capability to remotely aim and fire a variety of crew-served weapons such as the M2 HB .50-cal Machine Gun, Mk19 40-mm Automatic Grenade Machine Gun, M240B 7.62-mm MG and M249 5.56-mm Squad Automatic Weapon. The mount is capable of continuous 360° azimuth rotation and -20° to +60° elevation movement.
The CROWS sensor unit includes a daylight video camera, a thermal imager for night operations, and an eyesafe laser rangefinder, and is furnished with a fully integrated fire control system that provides ballistic correction.
The CROWS control group, which mounts inside the vehicle, is the gunner interface allowing operation from within the vehicle's ballistic protection. Its main components include a display unit, switch panel unit (SPU), and hand controller (joystick). The control group provides full remote control of the weapon system via on-screen menus presented on the display, and by the switches on the SPU and joystick.