Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. has delivered the 1,000th TYPHOON, the world’s most widely deployed stabilized, remotely operated naval weapon station. TYPHOON systems are currently integrated on various naval platforms across 25 navies and maritime forces worldwide, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, providing an operational response to a wide range of needs and threats in the naval arena. In Israel, Rafael’s TYPHOON and Mini-TYPHOON systems have been in operational service with the Israeli Navy since 2000. As part of the ongoing cooperation between Rafael and the Israeli Navy, the company recently delivered TYPHOON Mk-30c naval weapon stations to the Navy to further strengthen the capabilities of its operational vessels, including the Sa’ar 6 corvettes, as part of the continued upgrade of the Navy’s combat array.
Yoav Tourgeman, CEO and President of Rafael said: “The delivery of the 1,000th TYPHOON system reflects the continued trust of navies and maritime forces worldwide in Rafael’s operational capabilities. At a time when the naval arena is becoming more congested, contested, and relevant than ever, from the protection of vital shipping lanes to countering advanced aerial and naval threats, the ability to provide operational vessels with a precise, rapid, and multi-layered response is a strategic necessity. The TYPHOON system, which has been operating for years in multiple operational arenas, demonstrates Rafael’s commitment to continue developing solutions that strengthen the freedom of action, protection, and superiority of naval forces in Israel and around the world.”
TYPHOON is a type of remote weapon station manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Israel, and it shares similar design principles and common technologies with Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station (Samson RCWS), a land-based system manufactured by the same developer. The cannon system mounted can be an ATK, Oerlikon, Mauser or Giat model in the 20–30 mm caliber range. Between 160 and 210 rounds are carried on the mounting, depending on the caliber. The mount can traverse 120° to either side and elevate between -12.5° and 40.5°. The weight of a complete system is between 690 and 750 kilograms (1,520 and 1,650 lb) without ammunition, depending on the guns and sensors mounted. The mounting does not penetrate the platform, making it relatively simple to fit the weapon to ships. Typhoon can use sights attached to the weapon mount or it can receive inputs from an independent Electro-Optical Detector (EOD) or Fire Control Radar (FCR).
In the coming years, additional systems are expected to enter service, replacing legacy systems currently operating aboard the Navy’s vessels, alongside the integration of new Mini-TYPHOON systems into the operational array. The combat-proven TYPHOON provides an effective response to a range of threats in the naval arena, engaging both surface targets and aerial threats. In recent years, the system has demonstrated its ability to defeat small, fast, low-signature threats, including UAVs and drones, combining advanced fire control and tracking capabilities that enable detection, identification, and precise engagement of threats within short timeframes. The system features high-capacity ammunition magazines for sustained engagement, fast switching between ammunition types according to the nature of the threat, and automated capabilities that shorten response times and reduce operator workload. The system also supports advanced munitions, including Air Burst Munition (ABM) and High-Explosive Proximity rounds, extending its effectiveness against both aerial and surface threats.
