Watch: IMI's new automated naval weapon system
The new remote-controlled marine-based weapon system has been adapted from a land-based system being used by NATO; IMI wins two contracts to supply system to Asian fleets.
The development of the system follows the trend of other various systems being adapted to naval use. Both the "Tammuz" (spike) guided missile and the Iron Dome aerial defense system have been modified for use by marine forces.
The "Nachshol" system is a gyroscope-based system that provides both stability at sea and precise tracking abilities for targets. The gunner sits protected in the vessel while receiving a real-time picture of the target. NATO forces operating in Afghanistan have used the land-based system for the last three years.
"The real innovation here, especially in the marine version, is that while the gunner is operating the system, he also sees everything that is going on in the field, while the system is tracking the target," an IMI source told Ynet in an interview.
"This is significant for the ocean, because sometimes waves obstruct what the system sees. Here, we're in a situation where the system can shoot the target when it is ready, after the wave goes down for example," the official added.
The system is readily effective at ranges up to and including a kilometer and a half.
Ammunition storage is located on one side of the system, while the other side contains an optic-pod including a thermal camera and HD camera for accurate day and night operation. The cameras in turn are connected to a laser ranging system and fire control computer, which can adjust for accuracy when moving.
