KONGSBERG PROTECTOR RS6

History

KONGSBERG PROTECTOR RS6 is an up-gunned remote weapon station developed for heavier tactical vehicles, armored personnel carriers, and combat vehicles. It combines lightweight medium-caliber cannon armament with provisions for missiles and a coaxial machine gun.

The system is designed as a bolt-on installation that does not intrude into the vehicle compartment. KONGSBERG also developed the RS6 to support multiple effectors and sensor configurations, including anti-tank missiles, short-range air-defense weapons, and Counter-UAS equipment.

By 2026, KONGSBERG had integrated Echodyne's MESA radar with the PROTECTOR RS6 as part of a counter-drone configuration. The companies stated that the radar-enabled system had undergone several years of integration and field testing before the MESA selection was announced.

Counter-UAS development

KONGSBERG selected Echodyne's MESA radar for integration with the PROTECTOR RS4 and RS6 weapon stations. The integration was intended to improve detection, tracking, and engagement of small unmanned aircraft. The configuration combines KONGSBERG's weapon-station architecture and Collaborative Fire Control technology with Echodyne's compact solid-state radar.

MESA supplies range, range-rate, bearing, and movement information to the fire-control system. The radar can cue the optical fire-control system and maintain a track while the weapon station prepares an engagement. This capability is intended to reduce the time between detection and engagement of small, maneuvering drones.

According to the companies, the radar can also support the use of programmable airburst ammunition by providing accurate target range and speed data. A MESA-equipped RS6 can receive an initial track from a search radar or another external sensor, refine the track locally, and support engagement as part of a distributed sensor and fire-control network. Further development was planned around resilient sensing, networked fire control, and scalable defenses against evolving threats. Additional information is available from the KONGSBERG PROTECTOR RS6 page and the MESA integration report.

Design

The PROTECTOR RS6 is intended to provide greater firepower than lighter remote weapon stations while retaining installation flexibility. Its bolt-on arrangement avoids penetration into the vehicle's crew or troop compartment, helping preserve internal volume.

Weapons

The RS6 can mount lightweight medium-caliber cannons together with missiles and a coaxial machine gun. KONGSBERG states that the station supports multiple effectors, including anti-tank missiles, short-range air-defense weapons, and Counter-UAS solutions. This allows the weapon configuration to be adapted to different vehicle roles and mission requirements.

Sensors and fire control

The sensor suite includes high-resolution day cameras, thermal imagers, and laser range finders. The station uses a stabilized four-axis Detached Line of Sight architecture. This arrangement allows the operator's sight picture to remain stabilized independently of weapon movement, supporting target tracking and firing while the host vehicle is moving.

PROTECTOR weapon systems support wired and wireless control and can be installed on crewed or robotic platforms. The common PROTECTOR Fire Control System can be integrated with battlefield management systems and defensive aids including laser-warning or active-protection systems.

When configured with PROTECTOR Counter-UAS software and Echodyne MESA radar, the RS6 can perform counter-drone missions. The radar provides target measurements to cue and support the optical fire-control system, while external sensors can contribute initial tracks through a wider sensor network.

Program status

The PROTECTOR RS6 is presented by KONGSBERG as a configurable remote weapon station for combat vehicles and mobile fire-support platforms. In September 2026, the integration of Echodyne MESA radar with the RS6 was announced as a counter-UAS enhancement after several years of integration and field testing.

Specifications (PROTECTOR RS6)

General characteristics

• Type: Remote weapon station.
• Installation: Bolt-on configuration without intrusion into the vehicle compartment.
• Intended platforms: Heavier tactical vehicles, armored personnel carriers, combat vehicles, and robotic platforms.
• Primary armament: Lightweight medium-caliber cannon.
• Additional armament: Missiles and coaxial machine gun, depending on configuration.
• Supported effectors: Anti-tank missiles, short-range air-defense weapons, and Counter-UAS solutions.

Sensors and control

• Electro-optical sensors: High-resolution day cameras and thermal imagers.
• Rangefinding: Laser range finder.
• Stabilization: Four-axis Detached Line of Sight architecture.
• Control: Wired or wireless operation.
• Counter-UAS radar: Echodyne MESA radar in the integrated counter-drone configuration.
• Fire control integration: Common PROTECTOR Fire Control System with provision for battlefield management systems and defensive aids.