SAHA Expo 2024 – MKE unveils new medium and small calibre unmanned turrets and RCWS
At SAHA Expo 2024 MKE (Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi, Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation), exhibited for the first time a 25 mm unmanned turret as well as a light remotely controlled weapon station
The medium calibre turret is armed with an M811 automatic cannon, designed by GIAT of France and produced under license by MKE. The weapon has a dual feed capacity, the total number of rounds hosted in the MKE turret being 180, which can be split according to customer’s requirements. On the right of the cannon we find a 7.62 mm machine gun, which magazine contains 600 rounds. The model seen at SAHA Expo was fitted with an optronic package installed over the gun, hosting a day TV channel, a cooled thermal channel and a laser rangefinder, the sight having an effective range of over 2.5 km according to MKE representatives. The company also proposes a model with an independent sight, which can be used for surveillance and target acquisition independently from the gun.
The turret motion is based on electric motors, it is stabilised on two axes, and has a mass of around 1.8 tonnes with the 120 kg weapon but without ammunition. No details were provided on the basic armour, however it was clear that the turret could accept add-on armour kits. The turret was designed to answer requirements for M113 modernisation programmes, it has completed firing tests and is now qualified. MKE completed six such turrets, which are being handed over to the Turkish Land Forces for evaluation, EDR On-Line understood.
A smaller weapon system a 12.7 mm remotely controlled weapon station, was also shown for the first time by MKE. It was armed with the MT12-QCB also produced by MKE, with the optronic package to the right and the ammunition box to the left. The optronic package is made of a TV sensor, an uncooled thermal imager, the considerable diameter of the lens being justified by range considerations, and a laser rangefinder. According to company representatives this RCWS was developed according to Turkish Land Forces needs and has a mass of 250 kg without ammunition. The one seen at SAHA Expo was the sole prototype, which has still to complete firing tests. This was done in November, according to ED>R On-Line sources, the company being already working on some potential contracts.
EDR On-Line understood that both turrets were developed by a subcontractor on behalf of MKE.
Photos by P. Valpolini
