"More."
Ever since the first four CROWS saw action in an operational assessment in 2004, the word from Soldiers in the field has been "more," and the Army continues to answer the call.
On 16 February, the Army told industry to get ready to compete to build more XM153 Common Remotely Operated Weapon Stations (CROWS) - the weapons system that allows Soldiers to operate machine guns and surveillance equipment from inside the protective armor of a vehicle.
Later this year, Product Manager Crew Served Weapons (PM CSW) will begin a full and open competition that will increase the Army CROWS fleet. To date, more than 11,000 CROWS systems have been ordered and more than 7,500 systems have been delivered. PM CSW has configured the CROWS for no less than a dozen vehicle platforms with even more integrations in the works.
"Soldier demand has driven the success of the CROWS program," said Lt. Col. Thomas Ryan, product manager for PM CSW. "Operational needs statements continue to come in from the field demanding the CROWS' capability. Any system that lets Soldiers see better and shoot better, all while keeping them safe is going to be in demand."
The upcoming competition will be managed as an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) multiple award contract. Orders will be issued against the contract, with each winning contractor having the ability to compete on manufacturing new systems and parts, conducting overhaul and repairs, and providing engineering services for product improvements.
The draft "Request for Proposal" (RFP) is expected within the next three months and an industry day will follow this summer. The Final RFP will be released later in 2011 with a contract award anticipated 12 months from release of final RFP.
"What vehicle gunners will see in the future will be a mix of CROWS and Gunner Protection Kits," said Art Fiorellini, remote weapons systems division chief, Project Manager Soldier Weapons. "Training and Doctrine Command is currently staffing the decision as to what the optimum mix of CROWS capability will be across the Army. A decision is expected in the next several months."
More than 200 personnel support Product Manager Crew Served Weapons in managing and executing the CROWS program at a variety of organizations in the U.S. and abroad, including: Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J.; Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) at Rock Island, Il. and Warren, Mi.; Red River Army Depot, Texarkana, Tx.; Tobyhanna Army Depot, Tobyhanna, Pa.; and PEO Simulation Training and Instrumentation, Orlando, Fla.
"The bottom line is that CROWS saves lives while giving our forces a significant tactical advantage," said Lt. Col. Ryan. "With our partners across the Army, we'll continue to deliver CROWS capability to Soldiers when and where they need it."
Related Links:
FACTSHEET: XM153 Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS)
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