Space, Defence and communications manufacturer Electro Optic Systems is in ‘active negotiation’ to supply its remotely operated weapon stations (RWS) to the government of Ukraine.
Sale of the company’s RWS systems, which allow machine guns, cannon and rockets to be operated from inside a vehicle or from a remote location, was first flagged in August as part of US President Joe Biden’s latest assistance measures to Ukraine.
An EOS gimbal mounting system is part of the L3Harris Vampire counter-drone system, itself part of a $3 billion package for Ukraine announced by the Pentagon.
The Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment system (pictured) comes as a portable kit that can be installed on most vehicles with a cargo bed – such as a civilian utility vehicle – for launching the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System or other laser-guided munitions.
Now, in an update to investors, EOS said that negotiations with Ukraine were for ‘a significant number of RWS systems and related components and spares’ to Ukraine.
The company did not specify which RWS might be supplied – the company makes systems suitable for mounting on a Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle also seeing service in Ukraine, on uncrewed vehicles and on naval vessels.
EOS told investors: “These discussions have progresses significantly during the quarter ended 30 September, 2022 and subsequently.
“This has the potential to materially improve future revenue and cash flow.”
However EOS warned that there was no certainty of any particular outcome form the discussions.
EOS also revealed that it had integrated and deployed four R400 remote weapons stations mounded on uncrewed ground vehicles for Lithuania.
This is the first NATO operational deployment of an UGV equipped with lethal weapons.
At the same time EOS Subsidiary EM Solutions was announced as selected to carry out introduction into service and support services for its Cobra Maritime Satellite Communications (SATCOM) terminals on board Royal Australian Navy vessels.
The contract, to run for three years, is initially valued at approximately $25.7 million.
Work will take place at EM Solutions’ Brisbane facility
Further reading:
EOS CONFIRMS UTILITY REMOTE WEAPONS STATION FOR UKRAINE
Picture: L3Harris