Patent ID: 7231862

Claim:
A gimbaled weapon station (GWS), comprising, in combination, a) a weapon cradle; b) at least one imaging sighting system; c) a first azimuth drive that simultaneously allows the sighting system and weapon cradle to move in azimuth direction; d) a second azimuth drive that allows the sighting system to move independently of the weapon cradle; e) an elevation drive that moves the weapon cradle in elevation; f) an operator interface remotely located from the sighting system receiving signals from the sighting system and providing 1) a display for displaying of an imagery captured by the sighting system, 2) operator control over the first and second azimuth drives and the elevation drive, and 3) remote operation of the GWS; and g) a control unit having a control algorithm that allows coordinated movement of the elevation drive, the first azimuth drive and the second azimuth drive.