Slinger RWS off to Europe

Published in the June 2025 Edition of Defence Technology Review

Electro Optic Systems (EOS) announced on 19 May that it had secured a AUD$53 million export order for its Slinger remote weapon system (RWS).

The order, the company stated, is from a turnkey naval shipyard-related systems integration company and funded by a Western European government. The end user was not disclosed. The Slinger RWS will be configured for naval deployment, implying it will be vessel-mounted. The systems are to be supplied with a range of weapon configurations, including the M230LF 30mm cannon. The contract also covers provision of spares, training and other items.

The RWS are intended to address urgent operational requirements in Europe and delivery is expected to occur during 2025 and 2026.

The contract represents the largest order to date for the Slinger RWS and the largest ever for an EOS naval RWS. EOS Group chief executive officer, Dr Andreas Schwer, said on social media that the Slinger RWS had “already proven itself in land-based operations and is now extending its role into new operational environments. Its first naval deployment highlights both the flexibility of the platform and the growing demand for [counter-drone] capability across domains”.

Launched in 2023 and aimed at the counter-drone market, the Slinger RWS is a sub-400kg mount that is fully stabilised and suitable for installation on a range of both soft-skinned and armoured vehicles, watercraft, vessels and fixed structures.

The system incorporates a compact, forward-facing Echodyne 4D targeting radar with active beamsteering electronic scanning antenna that grants the Slinger the ability to detect threat drones beyond 800m. Mounted to starboard is a 4-axis sighting system with a sensor unit that moves independent of the gun in elevation and azimuth. A wind sensor and precise pointing technology also aid in accurate fire.

Whilst the Slinger can be armed with weapons such as the M2QCB 12.7mm heavy machine gun, the Arnold Defense Fletcher 4-round launcher pod for 70mm laser-guided rockets, the M230LF cannon is the mainstay armament for the system. This gun, which has long been in worldwide service underneath the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, fires Northrop Grumman’s radio frequency, proximity-fused, high-explosive fragmentation 30x113mm ammunition. The gun can elevate to +70° and depress to -10°. Maximum engagement range is approximately 2,000m.

Total system weight of the Slinger RWS armed with the M230LF cannon and 150 rounds of ammunition is 376kg.