Patent ID: 8646374

Claim:
A weapon station, comprising: a weapon mounting apparatus comprising: a first rotational drive mechanism that rotates the weapon mounting apparatus about an azimuth axis; and a weapon mount located at a position offset from the azimuth axis; and a sight mounting apparatus coupled to the weapon mounting apparatus and comprising: a sighting device mount for retaining a sighting device that includes one or more sensors; and a second rotational drive mechanism that rotates the sight mounting apparatus about the azimuth axis independently of rotational movement of the weapon mounting apparatus about the azimuth axis, the azimuth axis about which the weapon mounting apparatus and the sight mounting apparatus rotate being the same axis; and wherein the weapon mounting apparatus comprises a shaft that retains the weapon mount, the weapon mount adapted to receive for attachment a weapon, the shaft being offset from and substantially perpendicular to the azimuth axis and adapted to rotate about a first elevation axis using a third rotational drive mechanism; and wherein the weapon mounting apparatus further comprises: a body portion; and an elevation shaft housing extending from an outer surface of the body portion, the elevation shaft housing containing a portion of the shaft, wherein ends of the shaft extend through apertures in the elevation shaft housing.