FLW remote weapon station
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| Fernbedienbare leichte Waffenstation FLW | |
|---|---|
 A FLW 100 mounted on top of a Dingo 2 ATF | |
| Type | Remote Weapon System |
| Place of origin | Germany |
| Service history | |
| Used by | German Army, Military of Qatar |
| Wars | War in Afghanistan (2001–present) |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Krauss-Maffei Wegmann |
| Designed | 2000s |
| Manufacturer | Krauss-Maffei Wegmann |
| Produced | Since 2008 |
| No. built | More than 980 |
| Variants | FLW-100, FLW-200, FLW-200+ |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 80 kilograms (180 lb) to 400 kilograms (880 lb), depending on variant |
| Crew | 1 |
| Caliber | 7.62 mm, 12.7 mm, 20 mm, 40 mm grenades |
| Elevation | -15° to 70/75° |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Maximum firing range | 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) |
| Sights | CCD camera and thermal imager |
FLW (fernbedienbare leichte Waffenstation) stands for "remotely operated, light weapon station" developed by the German defence company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann brands its family of remote weapon stations.
Development of the FLW 100 started in the mid-2000s to meet the requirements of the German Army.[1] The slightly larger FLW 200 with greater weapon compatibility was designed shortly after. In 2008 the initial 230 light FLW 100 and 190 heavy FLW 200 weapon stations were delivered to the German Federal Office for Defence Technology and Procurement.[2]
The FLW series can automatically detect the fitted weapons after replacement and will set the ballistic tables in the fire computer accordingly.[1] None of the three versions require a penetration of the vehicle roof, which allows easier retrofitting of older vehicles with a FLW weapon station. All versions feature electronical dual-axis stabilization, where the weapon and the optronics are separately stabilized.[1] The FLW is operated from the inside of the vehicle. The operator can view the output of the thermal imager or the camera on a 12-inch colour screen. A multi-position operation capability was being implemented in 2013, which allows the output of the sensors to be shared on multiple screens, allowing more than one soldier to observe the area with the FLW's optics and to operate the weapon station. Due to a high elevation the FLW 100 and the FLW 200 are well-suited for urban combat and operations in mountainous terrains.[1][3][4]
The ammunition load is depending on the armament and the fitted ammo boxes, while the optronic systems are fitted in accordance with the customers' needs. The German Army has chosen the Rheinmetall LAZ 200 and LAZ 400L systems from Rheinmetall for the FLW series.[5][6] Both systems feature a thermal imager, a high-resolution day CCD camera and a laser rangefinder. In the case of the LAZ 400L, the laser rangefinder is eye-safe and the thermal imager is cooled.
Future improvements might include a counter for the available ammunition, an automatic cleaning system for the optics and the integration of networking with a battlefield management system and warning sensors.[1] Additionally the FLW remote weapon stations allow the adaption of ballistic armour protection and, command and simulation systems. A scan mode and new sensors (like a sniper detection system) can be integrated as well.[3][4]
Applications
Between 2008 and 2013, more than 980 FLW 100 and FLW 200 remote weapon stations have been ordered by the German Army.[1] The FLW 100 and the FLW 200 have been fitted to versions of the Dingo 1 and 2, the upgraded Fuchs 1A8, the GTK Boxer, and Eagle.
The FLW 200 was fitted to the Leopard 2 PSO and 2A7 prototypes. While the German version of the Leopard 2A7 is not fitted with an RWS, the Qatari Leopard 2A7+ tanks are fitted with the FLW 200.
Meanwhile, the German Army has procured more than 1,000 FLWs.
In 2018 the German Bundespolizei ordered the FLW 100 for its armored vehicles.[7]
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