MSI-Defence Systems TERRAHAWK RAPTOR

History

MSI-Defence Systems TERRAHAWK RAPTOR is a compact remote weapon station developed in the United Kingdom for counter-unmanned aircraft system operations and ground-target engagement. It is intended for installation on wheeled and tracked vehicles, including 4×4 tactical vehicles and unmanned ground vehicles.

RAPTOR was unveiled at the DVD 2026 exhibition at Millbrook in the United Kingdom in September 2026. At its launch, it was described as the lightest gun mount in MSI-Defence Systems' specialist counter-UAS remote weapon station range.

The system combines a remotely operated weapon mount with multispectral sensors, fire control, vehicle-system integration, and compatibility with external command-and-control networks. The operator can aim and fire the weapon from within the host vehicle rather than being exposed at the mount.

Development and launch

RAPTOR was developed for mobile counter-UAS missions requiring a smaller and lighter weapon station than larger dedicated air-defence mounts. Its architecture is intended to support integration on both legacy and newly built military vehicles as well as selected civil platforms.

The weapon station made its UK debut at DVD 2026 on 16 September 2026. One displayed installation used a Land Rover Defender platform equipped with radar and an optical sensor. The design was presented as suitable for mobile air-defence, convoy protection, border security, protection of critical infrastructure, and conventional ground-target engagement.

MSI-Defence Systems designed RAPTOR around an open architecture intended to simplify installation on different host platforms. It supports integration with vehicle systems using standards such as Generic Vehicle Architecture and can connect to multiple command-and-control systems within layered air-defence networks.

Design

Weapon station

RAPTOR is a fully integrated remote weapon station designed around interchangeable weapon, sensor, and vehicle-integration configurations. Its compact mount is intended to preserve the protection and mobility of the host vehicle while providing remotely controlled engagement capability.

Supported weapon options include 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm machine guns and 40 mm automatic grenade launchers. Specific weapon types listed for the system include the M240, M2, and Mk19. The mount has an elevation range from +60 degrees to -20 degrees.

The modular architecture allows the weapon payload, sensor fit, and motion limits to be adapted for different users and platforms. RAPTOR is intended for both counter-UAS engagements and conventional ground suppression or point-target fire.

Sensors and fire control

RAPTOR supports multiple sensor configurations. Available equipment includes standard-definition or high-definition thermal imaging, a high-definition video feed, and a high-rate laser. Its multispectral sensor suite is designed to support detection, tracking, identification, and engagement of unmanned aircraft and ground targets.

The fire-control system incorporates functions including precision video target tracking, classification, shape learning, and clutter mitigation. These functions are intended to improve tracking and engagement performance when environmental conditions or battlefield clutter interfere with sensor observations.

Platform integration

The weapon station is designed for tracked and wheeled platforms, including 4×4 tactical vehicles and unmanned ground vehicles. Its open-architecture approach also supports integration with external command-and-control systems and deployment as part of a wider layered air-defence network.

Program status

TERRAHAWK RAPTOR was publicly launched in September 2026. The available information establishes the existence of the weapon station and its demonstration on a vehicle platform, but does not identify a confirmed operational customer or service entry.

Further development has been proposed beyond the initial machine-gun and automatic-grenade-launcher configurations. Planned work includes additional gun-based weapons and use of the RAPTOR architecture as a small modular launcher for interceptors, rockets, and small missiles. These configurations are future developments rather than confirmed operational variants.

Specifications (TERRAHAWK RAPTOR)

General characteristics

• Type: Remote weapon station
• Primary roles: Counter-UAS and ground-target engagement
• Supported platforms: Tracked vehicles, wheeled vehicles, 4×4 tactical vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles, and selected civil vehicles
• Gun mount height: approximately 0.74 m (29 in)
• Gun mount weight, M2 configuration with weapon and 400 rounds: approximately 275 kg (606 lb)
• Elevation: +60 degrees to -20 degrees

Armament

• 7.62 mm option: M240 machine gun
• 12.7 mm option: M2 machine gun
• 40 mm option: Mk19 automatic grenade launcher

Sensors

• Thermal imaging: Standard-definition or high-definition thermal sensor options
• Video: High-definition video feed
• Laser: High-rate laser
• Typical D/R/I Class 1 figures: 2,000 m / 1,500 m / 1,000 m