Raytheon introduces BattleGround

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COLUMBUS, Ga., Sept. 18 (UPI) -- A modular remote weapons station for U.S. combat vehicles, featuring an integrated electro-optical infrared and visible sensor, has entered the marketplace.

The system is called BattleGround and its manufacturer -- Raytheon -- said the station's sensor will allow troops to accurately identify targets at twice the maximum effective range of "threat" weapons.

BattleGuard is an affordable, low-risk solution for combat vehicles that enhances the commander's mission capability," said Glynn Raymer, vice president of Combat and Sensing systems in Raytheon's Network Centric Systems business.

"The significance to the commander is the plug-and-play nature of the system. It is easy and fast to change configuration, to take off and put on another device, providing additional and immediate vehicle and squad protection."

Raytheon said BattleGuard provides 360 degrees of "under armor" unobstructed coverage and supports a number of machine and chain guns, including the M249, M240, M2, MK-19, MK-47, M134 and the M230LF.

It also supports the launch of missiles such as the Griffin, Javelin, Stinger and TOW.

Raytheon debuted BattleGuard at U.S. Army 2012 Maneuver Conference in Columbus, Ga.