Abstract: A gimbaled weapon system (GWS) includes a sighting system, a control unit, a weapon cradle for receiving a weapon, and an operator interface for the GWS located remotely from the weapon cradle and the sighting system. The weapon cradle is co-located with the sighting system as a unit in the GWS. The GWS includes four independent axis drives: a first elevation drive for elevating the weapon cradle; a first azimuth drive for rotation the weapon cradle in azimuth; a second elevation drive elevating the sighting system independently of the elevation of the weapon cradle by the first elevation drive; and a second azimuth drive for rotating the sighting system independent of the weapon cradle in azimuth.

Abstract: A gimbaled weapon system (GWS) is disclosed having a sighting system, a control unit, a weapon cradle for receiving a weapon, and an operator interface for the GWS located remotely from the weapon cradle and the sighting system. The weapon cradle is co-located with the sighting system as a unit in the GWS. The GWS also includes a first elevation drive for elevating the weapon cradle, a first azimuth drive for rotation the weapon cradle in azimuth, and a second elevation drive elevating the sighting system independently of the elevation of the weapon cradle by the first elevation drive. The sighting system includes a sighting device incorporating a laser range finder, a visible spectrum video camera and a thermal spectrum video camera.

Abstract: A gimbaled weapon system (GWS) is disclosed having a sighting system, a control unit, a weapon cradle and an operator interface for the GWS located remotely from the weapon cradle and the sighting system. The weapon cradle is elevated using a first elevation drive. The weapon cradle is co-located with the sighting system as a unit in the GWS. The GWS includes a second elevation drive elevating the sighting system independently of the elevation of the weapon cradle by the first elevation drive. A network of multiple, mobile target sensors located remotely from the GWS provide coordinates or location of a target to the control unit of the GWS.

Abstract: A gimbaled weapon system (GWS) is disclosed having a sighting system, a control unit, a weapon cradle for receiving a weapon, and an operator interface for the GWS located remotely from the weapon cradle and the sighting system. The weapon cradle is elevated using a first elevation drive. The weapon cradle is co-located with the sighting system as a unit in the GWS. The sighting system includes a thermal video camera and a visible spectrum video camera, the thermal video camera and the visible spectrum video camera each producing a video output. The thermal and visible spectrum video outputs are provided to the operator interface for the GWS for display on a display included in the operator interface.

Abstract: A rounds counter for a weapon mount is disclosed. The rounds counter is mounted on the mount in a remote location from the weapon itself, such as to a pedestal supporting a gimbal rotating the weapon mount in azimuth, inside an elevation drive housing, or to other structure. The mounting location is selected to be one where shock loads are relatively high, as compared to other locations on the mount. The rounds counter includes a sensor which senses shock due to the firing of the weapon, such as an accelerometer or strain gauge. The sensor could also be an acoustic transducer. Analog and digital circuitry for processing the sensor signal and to count the firing of the gun is also disclosed. The rounds counter is particularly useful as a common, single rounds counter unit for a weapon mount is adapted to receive and fire a variety of weapons, such as remotely operated weapon mounts mounted to military vehicles and patrol watercraft adapted to receive and fire four different types of guns.

Abstract: A method is described of preventing weapon fire during operation of a self-contained gimbaled weapon system (GWS). The GWS has a sighting system, a weapon and a weapon cradle. The weapon cradle is elevated by an operator using a first elevation drive and moved in azimuth using an azimuth drive. In the method, the sighting system is moved using a second elevation drive and the azimuth drive to acquire a target based on signals received from a first operator interface and display unit located remotely from the GWS. The method further involves observing target information received from the first operator interface and display unit using a second observation unit having a display unit, and overriding operator control of the weapon based on the observation of the second observation unit to prevent firing of the weapon.