Thales Belgium, WB Electronics, AREX Collaborate on New Remote Weapon System with Guided Rockets

Thales Belgium, WB Electronics, and AREX have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the development of a new remote weapon system equipped with 70mm rockets.

The project will combine AREX's ZMU 03/05 turret with Thales Belgium's unguided and guided rockets.

The AREX ZMU unmanned turrets are manufactured in Poland and can accommodate weapons ranging from 5.56mm to 40mm calibers. These turrets are 20% lighter than alternative solutions and facilitate quick servicing, repair, upgrades, and modernization. All AREX remote-controlled weapon stations come equipped with double optical sensors and gun stabilization features.

By integrating unguided and guided rocket systems, the new AREX ZMU 03/05 aims to address a wider range of operational needs for land forces, including countering unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) and providing precision-guided munitions for ground-to-ground applications.

Thales Belgium has developed the Precision Guided Munition FZ275 LGR to bridge the gap between guns, cannons, unguided rockets, and high-end missiles. This munition offers precision targeting capabilities for light armored targets such as buildings, stationary aircraft, light armored vehicles, radars, and command stations.

The FZ275 LGR system also presents a solution for countering drone threats, capable of engaging unmanned aerial systems at ranges of up to 3 km and altitudes of up to 2.5 km using the newly developed FZ123 warhead paired with existing unguided rocket motors from Thales' portfolio.