The UK Ministry of Defence is evaluating the integration of the Moog Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP) as a specialist counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) turret to bolster its short-range air defense (SHORAD) capabilities. Developed by U.S.-based Moog Inc., the RIwP offers a flexible architecture capable of mounting multiple weapon systems tailored to evolving drone threats in both conventional and hybrid warfare environments.
Modular Design for Multi-Domain Threats
The RIwP is a modular remote weapon station designed to support a wide array of kinetic and non-kinetic effectors. Its architecture allows rapid reconfiguration between mission sets—ranging from direct fire support to air defense—by accommodating different sensor packages and armaments. For C-UAS roles, typical configurations include:
- 30mm XM813 or M230LF chain guns with programmable airburst munitions
- 7.62mm coaxial machine guns
- Stinger or other SHORAD missile pods
- Electronic warfare payloads or RF jammers
- EO/IR sensors with automatic target tracking
This flexibility enables the platform to engage Group 1–3 UAS targets (such as quadcopters and fixed-wing drones under ~600 kg), which are increasingly used in ISR and loitering munition roles by adversaries like Russia in Ukraine or non-state actors in asymmetric conflicts.
UK Evaluation and Potential Integration Pathways
The UK’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) agency has reportedly shown interest in integrating the RIwP turret onto existing platforms such as the Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicle or potentially future high-mobility SHORAD vehicles. While no formal procurement contract has been announced as of early 2024, industry sources indicate that trials have been conducted under Army Warfighting Experiment frameworks.
This aligns with broader British Army modernization efforts under Project Sky Sabre and Land Ground Based Air Defence (Land GBAD), which aim to close capability gaps against low-flying UAS swarms that evade traditional radar coverage. The RIwP’s compact footprint makes it suitable for both tracked and wheeled platforms without significantly impacting vehicle center-of-gravity or mobility profiles.
Kinetic Effectors: XM813 vs M230LF Chain Guns
The two primary autocannon options for the RIwP are Northrop Grumman’s XM813 (30x173mm) and M230LF (30x113mm). The XM813 offers greater range (~3 km effective), higher muzzle velocity (~1080 m/s), and compatibility with programmable airburst munitions such as MK310 PABM-T. This makes it more effective against fast-moving drones at standoff range.
The lighter M230LF—derived from the AH-64 Apache’s cannon—is optimized for lower recoil and weight-sensitive platforms but sacrifices range (~2 km effective) and lethality. Both systems can be integrated with automated fire control systems using EO/IR cueing for autonomous engagement cycles.
Non-Kinetic Capabilities: EW Payloads & Future Growth
A key advantage of the RIwP is its ability to host non-kinetic payloads alongside guns or missiles. This includes RF jammers designed to disrupt drone command links or GNSS signals—a critical feature given increasing use of GPS-guided FPV drones on modern battlefields.
Moog has demonstrated integration paths for third-party electronic warfare modules via standard interfaces compliant with NATO STANAGs. This opens possibilities for future upgrades including laser-based directed energy weapons or AI-enabled target classification algorithms leveraging onboard processing units.
Operational Implications Amid Evolving Drone Threats
The proliferation of low-cost commercial drones adapted for military use has outpaced traditional air defense solutions. Systems like the RIwP provide a scalable response that can be deployed at echelon levels ranging from battalion HQs to forward operating bases.
Its layered approach—combining sensors, kinetic interceptors, and soft-kill options—mirrors emerging doctrines seen in Ukraine’s adaptive C-UAS tactics since 2022. For UK forces preparing for peer conflict scenarios or expeditionary deployments in drone-saturated environments, such turrets could offer decisive protection against surveillance swarms or loitering munitions like Lancet-series UAVs.
Industry Context and Export Potential
The Moog RIwP has already seen limited deployment on U.S. Army Stryker platforms under Maneuver Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) initiatives before Leonardo DRS’ IM-SHORAD solution was selected as program-of-record. However, its open architecture continues to attract international interest from NATO allies seeking affordable SHORAD enhancements without full vehicle replacement programs.
If adopted by the UK Ministry of Defence, it could stimulate transatlantic industrial collaboration involving British integrators such as RBSL or Thales UK for sensor fusion layers or local assembly lines under sovereign capability mandates post-Brexit.
Conclusion
The Moog RIwP represents a mature yet adaptable C-UAS turret option suitable for near-term integration into British Army force structures facing growing drone threats across theaters. Its modularity supports rapid evolution alongside emerging technologies—from AI-driven detection algorithms to hard-kill interceptors—and positions it well within NATO’s evolving SHORAD ecosystem.
