Kongsberg receives CROWS program order

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Kongsberg has received orders from the U.S. Army to support its Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station program.

The orders represent a modification to an earlier contract signed between the U.S. Army and Kongsberg in August 2012.

The CROWS is designed to enable warfighters to operate vehicle-mounted weapons while being inside of the vehicle, therefore protected by its armor.

Defense World reports the station is comprised of two parts, including the control group and the mount fixed to the exterior of the vehicle.

The mount is capable of performing a 360-degree rotation and can be used to mount a variety of weapons including the M2 .50-caliber machine gun, the Mk19 40mm automatic grenade machine gun and others.