Vippon’s SOFTMOUNT: Increasing the lethality of Hellenic Navy and Hellenic Coast Guard vessels easily and with very low cost

Written by D-Mitch

Firing an MG3 installed on a Softmount

One of the exhibits at DEFEA 2021 that unfortunately did not receive the proper attention from the Greek Press, was the SOFTMOUNT lightweight mounts for machine guns of the Danish Rubtec AS. The SOFTMOUNT was presented in Greece in collaboration with the Greek company Vippon SA. Vippon is internationally known as a supplier of rubberized track parts and track systems for main battle tanks and tracked vehicles, while in recent years it has expanded its activities by participating in various systems development and manufacturing clusters as a supplier of various components and spareparts. In relation to the mounts, Vippon has undertaken their presentation to the Armed Forces of Greece and Cyprus, as well as the domestic production of their components, their final assembly-installation as well as their subsequent support in terms of spare parts and maintenance.

Softmount with an M2HB at DEFEA 2021

Softmount with an M2HB at DEFEA 2021

Softmount with an M2HB at DEFEA 2021

Softmount with an MG3 at DEFEA 2021

Softmount with an MG3 at DEFEA 2021

MG3/Softmount on HDMS Thetis

MG3/Softmount on HDMS Thetis

This particular mount, made of stainless steel, is designed with the aim of providing maximum stability and efficiency in use since the vibrations are absorbed by the special mechanism it carries. The gunner fires the weapon, FN MAG, MG3 or M2HB, without being strained by the violent vibrations from the recoil of the weapon and thus improving dramatically the accuracy and efficiency of his shots and of course utilizing better the available ammunition on board. This is because the special designed shock absorbing system takes the vibrations out of the gunner’s hands and sights! Someone could say that this is the intermediate stage from a remote controlled weapon station (RWS) with the fraction of its acquisition; a very good solution! Moreover, this mount offers the possibility of placing any visual aid that the user desires on a special rail that it is equipped with while the shoulder support is adjustable in angle and length. There is also special provision for receiving even an Mk19 automatic grenade launcher!

MG3/Softmount on RDN vessel

MG3/Softmount on RDN vessel

The possibility of acquiring RWS is extremely finite for the Hellenic Armed Forces due to high cost and in many cases due to the inability to install them as they require enough space and special provision in order to provide extreme elevation and depression angles for excellent coverage of the boat against asymmetric threats. These types of mounts are used internationally and mainly by the Danish Armed Forces and especially in the Royal Danish Navy (RDN), with excellent results. Today, there is not even a single RWS on a Hellenic Navy (HN) vessel or ship, while the Hellenic Coast Guard (HCG) has just recently put such systems into service its first RWS with the entry into service of the 38-meter CNV P355GR coastal patrol vessels. Therefore, the majority of the Greek warships have mounts. It is emphasized that the armament in the mount is interchangeable as with the change of a single socket the mount can receive any weapon that serves today on the vessels of the Hellenic Armed Forces. The softmount does not offer only precision shooting but also an excellent angle of coverage since due to its special design it can fire completely vertically from the point where it is installed, which is none other than the side walls of the naval vessel.

M2HB on Heracles

MG3 on Roussen-class FACM

The adoption of this application will upgrade significantly the capabilities of a Greek naval vessel to deal with asymmetric threats, while finally the ships of both the HN and the HCG will be able to put in service a system that will improve their capabilities in dealing with threats without entering the critical factor named cost and complex maintenance. As it was mentioned earlier the construction is distinguished for the lowest purchase cost but also the absence of difficult and costly support and maintenance since this application consists of simple mechanical parts without electronic or electrical parts. Thus, for example, the MG3s of fast attack missile craft (FACM) (2 per vessel) and support ships (2 on Prometheus), the M2HB of frigates (2 per vessel), minehunters (2 per vessel) and support ships (2 per vessel), special operations craft (SOC) (the armament varies on these vessels) as well as the FN MAG and automatic grenade launchers on SOC will be able to shoot precisely and efficiently. 

 

FN MAG on Mk V SOC

Mk19 AGL on Mk V SOC

 

The exact same weapons equip also all the Hellenic Coast Guard and Hellenic Army (HA) naval vessels!

 

M2HB on HA Magna 960 RIB

M2HB on HCG RIB

FN MAG and M2HB on HCG vessel

 

Firing an M2HB

Firing an M2HB

It is worth noting that the Softmount is also suitable for use by armored vehicles! There is a large numbers of such platforms which could receive the Softmount in the HA inventory. It is therefore worth taking a closer look at such simple-looking, but extremely important applications which have been proven to be able to substantially the improve operational capabilities of the various platforms in service today.

Installed on an armored vehicle

Installed on an armored vehicle

Trials with M2HB HMG