During MSPO 2016 in Kielce the Zakłady Mechaniczne in Tarnów (ZM Tarnów) unveiled for the first time the ZSMU-A5 remotely-controlled weapon module. This solution is intended as a weapons system for a next-generation light armoured reconnaissance vehicle (LOTR project, codenamed KLESZCZ) for the Polish Army.
The A5 is the latest version of the ZSMU-1276 system which was designed by ZM Tarnów for various vehicles in order to provide them with self-defence capabilities against troops, low-flying aircraft and lightly armoured vehicles. Two standard versions are currently available – the A3 with external ammunition feeding and the C1 with internal ammunition feeding. The ZSMU-1276 can be equipped with various weapons, including of NATO standards and of Soviet origins (including the UKM-2000C/PKT 7.62 mm machinegun and the WKB-Bm/NSW 12.7 mm machinegun). The 81 mm smoke grenade launchers are offered as optional equipment. The ZSMU-1276 system is integrated with the ZMO-1 optoelectronic payload with thermal and daylight cameras and a laser rangefinder.
The A5 variant is designed for the future LOTR light vehicle. Its weight is up to 330 kg. It is equipped either with a WKB-Bm/NSW 12.7 mm machinegun (up to 200 rounds) or a 40 mm grenade launcher (up to 32 grenades) as a primary weapon and a co-axial UKM-2000C/PKT 7,62 machinegun (up to 200 rounds). The A5 version is equipped with the ZMO-3 optoelectronic payload with thermal camera (target detection from up to 12 km), daylight camera and a laser rangefinder. The A5 can be equipped with various missiles and a smoke grenade launcher.
Robert Czulda
