Russian special forces are successfully using the Arbalet-DM remote-controlled weapons stations (RCWS) during the special operation in Ukraine. The Tigr-M multipurpose vehicle with the Arbalet-DM remote controlled weapon station was unveiled during the Army 2016 exhibition. It entered service with the Russian armed forces in 2017. Tigr armored vehicles with the Arbalet remote controlled weapon stations are successfully used by Russian special forces during mopping up operations, allowing the operator to monitor the situation from a safe place, a security source was quoted as saying by TASS.
The Arbalet-DM (Arbalet – Crossbow) remote controlled weapon station (RCWS) developed by a private firm Oruzhejnye Masterskie in conjunction with the Kovrov electromechanical plant. The Arbalet-DM remote-controlled weapons station (RCWS) can be installed on wheeled and tracked chassis, as well as on surface ships and stationary guard posts. The module can automatically detect and track targets both while stationary and in movement. Its optic cameras can detect objects at the distance of up to 2.5 kilometers, while infrared cameras have the range of up to 1.5 kilometers.
The Arbalet-DM main armament is either a 12.7-mm KORD heavy machine gun with 150 rounds of ammunition, or a 7.62-mm PKTM machine gun with 250 rounds of ammunition. Sighting range at ground targets and objectives reached – 2,000 m in the daytime and 1,500 m in the night. Due to the design of the machine gun, the design of the weapon station was also improved. Ammunition – up to 450 shots. Additionally, to enhance the security of the vehocle, to the Arbalet-DM RCWS can be mounted 4 smoke grenade launchers. The weapon station’s sighting system is also equipped with a laser rangefinder. The laser rangefinder has a range of measuring ranges: 100-3000 m.
The Tigr (Tiger) is a Russian 4×4 multipurpose all-terrain infantry mobility vehicle manufactured by Military Industrial Company, first delivered to the Russian army in 2006. It featured a new YaMZ-534 diesel engine, a new armored hood, air filter installation, an increase in the number of rear passenger seats (from 8 to 9) and the replacement of the bicuspid rear hatch with a large square hatch. The M stands for Modernizirovanniy or Upgraded in Russian. Currently, the Tigr-M is mass-produced and supplied to the Russian Army, including with the new Arbalet-DM remote control weapons station which is composed of 12.7mm Kord or 7.62mm PKTM machine guns.