The Anubis is a Romanian remote controlled weapon station (RCWS) designed and manufactured by the Pro Optica company. It can use either a 7.62×51mm or a 12.7×99mm machine gun, and can also mount 40 mm grenade launchers. Optionally, the turret can be equipped with level 2 STANAG 4569 ballistic protection.[2][3]
| Pro Optica Anubis | |
|---|---|
 Dacia Duster military equipped with the Anubis RCWS (on the left) | |
| Type | Remote controlled weapon station |
| Place of origin | Romania |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2017-present |
| Used by | Romanian Naval Forces Egyptian Army Ukrainian Ground Forces |
| Wars | Russian invasion of Ukraine |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Pro Optica |
| Designed | 2010s |
| Manufacturer | Pro Optica |
| Produced | 2014-present |
| Specifications | |
| Shell | 7.62×51mm or 12.7×99mm 40 mm grenades (optional) |
| Caliber | 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Effective firing range | 1,500 m (4,900 ft)[1] |
| Sights | thermal imager, CCD camera |
The Anubis is gyrostabilized on two axes, and is equipped with a thermal imager, a CCD camera, an automatic fire control system, as well as an easy-safe laser range finder. Detection ranges during night can go up to 6 km for a vehicle and 3 km for a human being, these distances are reduced to one-third for identification.[2] The turret is electrically controlled, but can also be controlled manually as a backup.[3]
In use
editThe Anubis RCWS was first seen at the National Military Parade in 2014, where it was mounted on a Dacia Duster military model.[4] In 2018, it was presented at the Black Sea Defense & Aerospace exposition.[2]
A first contract was signed in 2017 when it was announced that the Romanian Navy purchased 4 turrets equipped with 12.7 mm machine guns. The systems were to be added on the frigates, in order to provide anti-piracy capabilities.[5] In 2021, at the Egypt Defence Expo, it was announced that Egypt acquired a new lot of Anubis systems. Pro Optica previously delivered a number of Anubis turrets equipped with 12.7 mm machine guns to the Egyptian Army. The systems are used by the Egyptian 4x4 light armored vehicles.[1]
In 2023, several BMC Kirpi MRAPs with Anubis RCWS systems were spotted in Ukraine. These vehicles were part of a delivery of over 40 Kirpi MRAPS in support of Ukraine in the Russo-Ukrainian War.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b "Anubis românești. Blindatele 4x4 ale Egiptului, dotate cu turele telecomandate Anubis și mitraliere 12.7 mm produse în România". DefenseRomania (in Romanian). 30 December 2021.
- ^ a b c "Pro Optica "Anubis" remotely controlled weapon station displayed at BSDA 2018". Army Recognition. 17 May 2018.
- ^ a b "ANUBIS Remotely Controlled Weapon Station". prooptica.ro. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ "Ziua Națională a României. Parada militară. Aviaţia rămâne la sol". ziuaveche.ro (in Romanian). 1 December 2014.
- ^ "Pro Optica va livra Fortelor Navale 4 turele telecomandate echipate cu mitraliere cal. 12,7 mm". Resboiu (in Romanian). 2 June 2017.
- ^ "Turele românești Anubis, pe front împotriva Rusiei (Video). Ucraina a primit primele blindate turcești Kirpi dotate cu turele din România". DefenseRomania (in Romanian). 9 January 2023.
External links
edit- PRO OPTICA - ANUBIS Presentation video on YouTube