A foldable support for aiming an aimable device, including: (a) a coupling arrangement adapted to releasably couple the aimable device thereto; (b) a foldable leg mechanically coupled to the coupling arrangement; (c) two linear actuators adapted to be angularly spaced apart, the two linear actuators adjustably coupled to the coupling arrangement; and (d) a collapsible reinforcement frame selectively providing rigid interconnection between bases of each of the two linear actuators and the foldable leg, and collapsible to provide a compact portable form of the support.

A foldable support for aiming an aimable device, including: (a) a coupling arrangement adapted to releasably couple the aimable device thereto; (b) a foldable leg mechanically coupled to the coupling arrangement; (c) two linear actuators adapted to be angularly spaced apart, the two linear actuators adjustably coupled to the coupling arrangement; and (d) a collapsible reinforcement frame selectively providing rigid interconnection between bases of each of the two linear actuators and the foldable leg, and collapsible to provide a compact portable form of the support.

A weapon-mounted Fire Control System (FCS) for a handheld weapon includes an imaging sensor and a processing system configured to operate in two modes. In a first mode, for handheld operation of the weapon, the processing system tracks a target, determines an aim-region with which the weapon should be aligned for firing in order to strike the target, and generates an output to facilitate accurate firing of the weapon towards the aim region. The output may indicate the aim region on a display, and/or may control a firing control mechanism. In a second mode, when the weapon is on an adjustable weapon support, the processor tracks a target, determines an aim-region, and generates output signals for controlling operation of at least one actuator of the adjustable weapon support in order to align the weapon with the aim region.

A weapon-mounted Fire Control System (FCS) for a handheld weapon includes an imaging sensor and a processing system configured to operate in two modes. In a first mode, for handheld operation of the weapon, the processing system tracks a target, determines an aim-region with which the weapon should be aligned for firing in order to strike the target, and generates an output to facilitate accurate firing of the weapon towards the aim region. The output may indicate the aim region on a display, and/or may control a firing control mechanism. In a second mode, when the weapon is on an adjustable weapon support, the processor tracks a target, determines an aim-region, and generates output signals for controlling operation of at least one actuator of the adjustable weapon support in order to align the weapon with the aim region.

A human transported weapons system is comprised of a barrel, a targeting subsystem, a computational subsystem, positioning means, and, a firing subsystem. The barrel is movably mounted within a stock for propelling a projectile towards an area of sighting. The targeting subsystem identifies a chosen target in the area of sighting and locking onto the chosen target at a first time. The computational subsystem, responsive to the targeting subsystem, determines where the chosen target is, and determines where the projectile needs to be aimed to strike the chosen target at a firing time. The positioning means, adjusts the position of the barrel within the stock, responsive to the computational subsystem. The firing subsystem, activates firing at the firing time to propel the projectile through the barrel at the chosen target at the firing time. The locking onto the target can be either: responsive to target selection by the person; or, responsive to determining which of the targets in the area of sighting is a best shot of the available targets.

Several examples of a dual remote control and crew-served weapon station are described herein that uniquely provide different operating modes, any one of which can be quickly and efficiently selected based on outputs from various system sensors (e.g., switches and buttons). For example, a first operating mode is a mode in which the weapon is remotely steered and fired (e.g., remote controlled). A second operating mode is a mode in which a weapon cradle is stabilized by a gimbal and the weapon is aimed and fired by a local operator (e.g., crew-served stabilized). A third operating mode is a mode in which the cradle is manually steered and the weapon is fired by the local operator (e.g., full manual).

An automated weapon system [preferably a human transported weapon] is comprised of a barrel, a targeting subsystem, a computational subsystem, a positioning subsystem, and, a firing subsystem. The barrel is utilized for propelling a fired munitions as aimed towards an area of sighting. The targeting subsystem identifies a chosen target in the area of sighting. The computational subsystem, responsive to the targeting subsystem, determines where the chosen target is and where the barrel needs to be aimed so that the munitions will strike the chosen target. The positioning subsystem adjusts the aim of the munitions responsive to the computational subsystem. The firing subsystem, fires the munitions at the chosen target responsive to the positioning subsystem. In one embodiment, the system is further comprised of an additional linked automated weapon having a separate barrel, separate munitions, a separate positioning subsystem, and a separate firing subsystem. The computational subsystem determines the positioning of the separate barrel to shoot the separate munitions to strike the chosen target. The additional linked automated weapon can be mounted on a stationary mount or mounted on a movable mount.

A weapon mount for controlling targeting of a weapon includes a base, an arm that extends from the base, and an attachment component that is rotatably coupled with the arm. The base is attachable to a platform and is rotatable to control a yaw of the weapon relative to the platform. The attachment component is configured to couple with the weapon and is rotatable to control a pitch of the weapon relative to the platform. The arm is positioned relative to the base so that a recoil vector of the weapon is within 0.5 inches radially of an axis of rotation of the base.

A weapons system is comprised of a human transported weapons subsystem, and a drone weapons subsystem. The human transported weapons subsystem is comprised of a targeting subsystem providing for selection of a selected target, a computational subsystem, and a communications subsystem. The drone weapons subsystem has munitions with positioning and firing capability thereupon, and has communications with the human transported weapons subsystem. The targeting subsystem utilizes communications with the drone weapons subsystem; and, the computational subsystem determines where the drone weapons subsystem is and where the selected target is and where the drone weapons subsystem needs to be located in order for the drone weapons subsystem to aim the munitions to strike the selected target. The human transported weapons subsystem communicates to the drone weapons subsystem to provide information on aim of the munitions from the drone weapons subsystem and communicates to provide activating positioning of the drone weapons subsystem and firing of the munitions from the drone weapons subsystem, responsive to the computational subsystem. The drone weapons subsystem, responsive to communications from the human transported weapons subsystem, fires the munitions from the drone weapons subsystem aimed at the selected target.

An unmanned turret having a turret ring gear and first and second electrical force-producing devices with the unmanned turret being rotatably mounted to a vehicle chassis, the turret drive mechanism including at least one ring gear independent of the turret ring gear, at least one manually-operable input component rotatably coupled to the at least one ring gear, the at least one input component accessible within the vehicle chassis, and at least one output component mechanically coupled to at least one of the first and second electrical force-producing devices of the unmanned turret to cause rotation of the at least one of the first and second electrical force-producing device. Another turret drive mechanism and an unmanned turret are also disclosed.