Kongsberg PROTECTOR RS4 Remote Weapon Station

History

The Kongsberg PROTECTOR RS4 is a remotely operated weapon station developed in Norway for installation on military vehicles and other platforms. It allows weapons and electro-optical sensors to be operated from a protected position inside the host platform.

The RS4 belongs to Kongsberg's PROTECTOR family of remote weapon systems. Kongsberg describes the system as suitable for tactical vehicles, armored personnel carriers and naval vessels, with support for machine guns, automatic grenade launchers, optional missiles and coaxial weapons.

The design has been continuously refined through operational feedback. By 2026, Kongsberg described the RS4 as combat-proven for more than two decades and fielded with defence customers worldwide.

Canadian ACSV program

One of the documented RS4 programs is Canada's Armoured Combat Support Vehicle program. According to Defence Blog, Kongsberg received a contract worth approximately NOK 500 million in May 2020 to supply PROTECTOR remote weapon stations for the ACSV fleet. The vehicles are based on the LAV 6.0 chassis and were developed in several support configurations.

The Canadian Army accepted its first ACSV in December 2020. The wider ACSV program subsequently reached Initial Operational Capability in January 2025 with Troop/Cargo, Ambulance and Command Post variants. Not every ACSV initially received an RS4. Reporting cited by Defence Blog stated that 178 weapon stations had been acquired because of cost and availability, while vehicles were designed to accept the station.

German Boxer integration

In December 2021, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann signed a contract for PROTECTOR RS4 systems for the German Joint Fire Support Team, schwer program. According to Kongsberg, the agreement covered development and delivery of prototype and reference systems for trials and tests, with serial production intended to follow. The RS4 was selected for installation on a Boxer 8x8 equipped with a new mission module.

CAVS procurement

In February 2026, Kongsberg announced a contract with Patria covering several hundred PROTECTOR RS4 stations for the German and Swedish Common Armored Vehicle System 6x6 programs. The agreement was valued at about EUR 140 million and included the possibility of additional orders. Kongsberg stated that the procurement positioned the RS4 as the standard weapon-station configuration across the multinational CAVS fleet. Details were published in the company's CAVS contract announcement.

2026 Canadian follow-on order

On 20 August 2026, Kongsberg announced a NOK 1.1 billion contract with General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada for additional PROTECTOR RS4 systems. The stations are to be integrated onto Canadian Army Armoured Combat Support Vehicles. Kongsberg described the agreement as a follow-on procurement that builds on previous RS4 deliveries for the same program. The company did not state the number of stations included in the contract. The procurement was confirmed in Kongsberg's official announcement.

Independent reporting published on 22 August 2026 also connected the new order with Canada's continuing ACSV fleet expansion, while noting that Kongsberg had not specified whether the additional RS4 systems were directly tied to the newly ordered vehicles.

Design

The PROTECTOR RS4 is designed to place the weapon and sensor assembly outside the protected crew compartment while the operator controls the station remotely. This arrangement avoids the need for a gunner to remain exposed in an open weapon position.

Weapon integration

The RS4 can mount 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm machine guns as well as 40 mm automatic grenade launchers. Kongsberg also offers configurations combining the primary weapon with either a coaxial gun or an anti-tank guided missile. This modular approach allows the station to be adapted to different platform and mission requirements.

Sensors and stabilization

The station integrates high-resolution daylight cameras, thermal imagers and laser range finders. Its stabilized four-axis Detached Line of Sight architecture separates the operator's viewing line from weapon movement. This allows the sensor view to remain stabilized while the weapon is moved and is intended to support tracking and engagement while the host platform is moving.

Control and fire-control integration

PROTECTOR weapon systems support wired and wireless control and can be installed on both crewed and robotic platforms. The common PROTECTOR Fire Control System can interface with battlefield management systems and defensive equipment such as laser-warning and active-protection systems.

Kongsberg also offers Counter-UAS software for the PROTECTOR family. When integrated with the RS4, this software enables the station to support counter-unmanned-aircraft missions for protection of personnel and infrastructure. The manufacturer's current RS4 description is available on the PROTECTOR RS4 product page.

Program status

The PROTECTOR RS4 is fielded internationally and continues to receive new integration and procurement contracts. Documented programs include Canadian ACSV vehicles, German Boxer vehicles and German and Swedish CAVS 6x6 fleets. The August 2026 Canadian follow-on contract demonstrates continued procurement for an established vehicle program rather than introduction of a new RS4 variant.

Specifications (PROTECTOR RS4)

Weapon compatibility

• Machine guns: 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm weapons supported.
• Automatic grenade launcher: 40 mm weapons supported.
• Additional armament: Optional anti-tank guided missile or coaxial machine gun, depending on configuration.

Observation and fire control

• Day observation: High-resolution daylight cameras.
• Thermal observation: Thermal imagers.
• Range measurement: Laser range finder.
• Stabilization: Four-axis stabilized Detached Line of Sight architecture.
• Control: Wired or wireless operation supported within the PROTECTOR system architecture.
• System integration: Compatible with the common PROTECTOR Fire Control System and integration with battlefield management, laser-warning and active-protection systems.
• Counter-UAS capability: Supported when combined with PROTECTOR Counter-UAS software.

Platform integration

• Platform types: Tactical vehicles, armored personnel carriers and naval vessels.
• Uncrewed platforms: PROTECTOR systems can also be installed on robotic platforms.