Australia enhancing Bushmaster self-defense capability

CANBERRA, Australia, May 20 (UPI) -- Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles of the Australian military are to receive upgraded self-defense capabilities from Electro Optic Systems.

Under a $5.17 million award from the country's Defense Materiel Organization's Land Systems Division, EOS will refurbish and upgrade 45 EOS remote weapons systems used on the Bushmasters.

"Improvements include upgraded sensors, a new Australian-designed stabilization system that provides 'shoot on the move' capability, video tracking, video recording and enhanced C4I integration support," said said DLS PMV Sustainment Manager Luke Crampton.

"These enhancements will bring the PMV's upgraded RWS (remote weapon station) into line with EOS armored vehicle turrets, used on tanks and other heavy armored vehicles. Armored vehicles turrets are typically 10 times more capable than the RWS and more costly; however, this upgrade means we get a similar capability for the Bushmaster at a much lower cost."

The first 20 of the new systems will be delivered by EOS by this September for use in an evaluation program designed by Army to help determine future RWS requirements, the Australian Department of Defense said.