Posted on 03/13/2006 1:12:22 PM PST by strategofr
The U.S. Army has discovered a remote control gun turret that works, and cannot get enough of them. The army wants over 9,000 CROWS (common remotely operated weapon stations), but is only getting 15 a month. There should be about a thousand CROWS in service by the end of the year.
The idea for CROWS has been around for nearly half a century. Years of tinkering, and better technology, eventually made the remote control gun turret effective and dependable. CROWS us a real life saver, not to mention anxiety reducer, for troops who drive through bandit country a lot, and have a turret mounted gun (usually in a hummer). The guy manning the turret mounted machine-gun is a target up there, and too often, the bad guys get you. Not with CROWS. The gunner is inside the vehicle, checking out the surroundings on a computer monitor (with night vision and telephoto capabilities). CROWS also has a laser rangefinder built in, as well as a stabilizer mechanism to allow more accurate fire while the vehicle is moving. The CROWS systems cost about $260,000 each, and can mount a variety of weapons (M2 .50 caliber machine-gun, MK19 40-mm automatic grenade launcher, M240B 7.62mm machine-gun and M249 5.56mm squad automatic weapon).
But there's another reason, not often talked about, for the success of CROWS. The guys operating these systems grew up playing video games. They developed skills in operating systems (video games) very similar to the CROWS controls. This was important, because viewing the world around the vehicle via a vidcam is not as enlightening (although a lot safer) than having your head and chest exposed to the elements, and any firepower the enemy sends your way. But experienced video gamers are skilled at whipping that screen view around, and picking up any signs of danger. Iraqis are amazed at how observant CROWS is. Iraqis tend to just wrote this off as another example of American "magic." But the troops know better. Video games can save your life.
Speaking of ammo belt, I would add an auto feed belt line straight from the trunk. Lugging a reload box up to the roof could make someone a nice target.
heh ...
Meet me online in AAO (Americas Army) as a.total.nOOb
It is loads of fun; MANY of the players are adults; MANY are vets.
Just getting through 'basic' training is tough. PAssing the SF training was harder. The Medic and Jump training were entertaining. Escape and Evation was boring ...
On some maps you get to fire RPGs and AT-4s. You also get to man the remote gun on a Stryker.
I recommend the game to anyone interested in playing a 'realistic', team-oriented FPS. it is not like BF2 or Wolfenstein that are more like on-line arcade games.
I am well over 50 and play it just fine, TYVM ;-p
And a radio that plays the Scarface soundtrack.
nah, Rammstein (although I have read enough of the lyrics to be glad I don't know what they are saying)
"Why have a guy ride in the Hummer? I'd just as soon control it from here. I might have to move the fridge to the computer room..."
It'll happen when the gaming generation starts developing the weapon systems. Right now the youngster are only the users, but they will be developers soon.
I can't believe I am the first to mention "Ender's War!"
ping
I want my Predator and I want it NOW!
I have not been able to get past the frag house at the end of basic. I cannot move fast enough to shoot enough of the bad guys. I have not been able to score high enough to finish basic. I have been playing Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory too much lately. I play on the Old Farts Server (30's and over). Excellent Allies v. Axis/WWII.
And it would look MACHO on my Ford Excurson.
*blows raspberries*
I'm strictly Call of Duty now. I tried AA but I couldn't see anyone. It's either too dark or they are too far away.
I've played America's Army. It's no fun killed by a bunch of 13 year old kids. I switched to Far Cry.
"I can't believe I am the first to mention "Ender's War!""
Excellent book and good relevance. To apply the book here: at a certain point, people may be fighting in a war but be deceived about which war they are fighting in.
bookmarking for later downloading.
I would bet you that most of the people who killed you are not kids. Kids won't bother to pass the training.
If the Army ever develops a remotely controlled robot that is needed for jumping over barrels thrown by a big Gorilla, then I'm their man.
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