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ZSSW-30

The ZSSW-30 is a Polish remotely controlled unmanned turret system developed for armored fighting vehicles, featuring a 30 mm autocannon, anti-tank guided missiles, and advanced fire control systems to enhance combat effectiveness in modern warfare.^[1] Developed by a consortium led by Huta Stalowa Wola S.A. and WB Electronics S.A. under Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa S.A., the project received its initial contract in March 2013, with the first prototype unveiled at the International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in 2014.^[1] Trials were completed in October 2021, leading to the turret's introduction into service with the 21st Podhale Rifle Brigade in December 2023, marking it as Poland's first domestically produced unmanned turret.^[1] The ZSSW-30 is armed with a 30 mm Mk44S Bushmaster II autocannon, which fires at 200 rounds per minute in high-explosive mode or 120 rounds per minute in airburst mode, a coaxial 7.62 mm UKM-2000C machine gun, and two Spike-LR anti-tank guided missiles with a range of up to 4.5 km.^[1] It includes eight 81 mm smoke grenade launchers for generating multispectral smoke screens to obscure the vehicle from detection.^[1] The turret features bi-axial stabilization for firing on the move, operational modes such as Hunter-Killer (simultaneous target acquisition and engagement) and Killer-Killer (coordinated fire support), integration with the OBRA-3 laser warning system, and the FONET digital communication network, with future upgrades planned for EyeQ artificial intelligence and FGM-148 Javelin missile compatibility.^[1] Protection is provided by composite armor incorporating polyethylene, steel, and ceramics to defend against small arms fire and artillery fragments.^[1] Primarily integrated with the Rosomak wheeled armored personnel carrier to replace the earlier Hitfist-30P turret and the Borsuk infantry fighting vehicle, the ZSSW-30 has seen progressive adoption by the Polish Armed Forces.^[1] An initial contract for 70 Rosomak vehicles equipped with the turret was signed in July 2022, valued at 1.7 billion PLN, with deliveries scheduled through 2027; this was followed by an order for 58 additional vehicles in July 2024, worth approximately EUR 610 million, with deliveries from 2026 to 2027.^[2] As of August 2025, 21 such vehicles had been delivered, with plans for at least 12 more by the end of 2025 under a broader framework agreement for up to 341 turret systems and additional "long" variant orders extending into 2028. This includes a December 2024 contract for 80 Rosomak-L (extended hull variant) vehicles equipped with the ZSSW-30, valued at 4.3 billion PLN, with deliveries scheduled for 2027–2028.^[3]^[4]

Development

Origins and Design Process

The development of the ZSSW-30 remotely controlled turret originated from a need to modernize the armament of the Polish Army's Rosomak wheeled infantry fighting vehicles, which were equipped with the Italian Hitfist-30P turret that provided insufficient firepower against modern armored threats. On March 29, 2013, the Polish Ministry of National Defence's Armament Inspectorate commissioned the project to enhance mechanized unit capabilities through a domestically produced system, emphasizing remote operation for improved crew safety and integration with anti-tank guided missiles.^[5]^[6] An initial attempt by the Gliwice-based Bumar-Łabędy facility failed to deliver a viable prototype, leading to the project being reassigned to a consortium comprising Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) for mechanical and structural components and WB Electronics (now part of WB Group) for electronic systems and fire control integration. This partnership was formalized under a research and development framework with the Ministry, aiming to create a turret compatible with both Rosomak platforms and the emerging Borsuk tracked infantry fighting vehicle. The first prototype was unveiled at the MSPO defense exhibition in Kielce in September 2014, marking the initial public demonstration of the system's core architecture.^[7]^[6]^[1] The design process progressed iteratively, with a more refined variant showcased at MSPO 2015, incorporating feedback from early simulations and static tests focused on turret stabilization, ammunition handling, and optronic integration from PCO S.A. Development faced setbacks after 2015 due to organizational changes within the Polish defense industry, but momentum revived in the late 2010s alongside the Borsuk program, leading to the construction of two dedicated prototypes—one for Rosomak and one for Borsuk—by 2018. Qualification trials, including live-fire evaluations, ran from January 2020 to October 2021, validating the turret's remote operation, sensor fusion, and missile compatibility while addressing issues like weight distribution and thermal management.^[7]^[5]^[6] A framework agreement for up to 341 systems was established prior to 2022, culminating in an executive contract signed on July 5, 2022, between the Polish Armament Agency and the HSW-WB consortium for integrating 70 ZSSW-30 turrets onto Rosomak vehicles, valued at approximately €400 million. This phase emphasized final refinements to the design, such as enhanced ballistic protection and software for autonomous target tracking, ensuring compliance with NATO standards. The process, originally projected to span two years, ultimately extended to nearly a decade, reflecting the complexities of indigenous development in a rapidly evolving threat environment. First deliveries occurred in December 2023, signifying the transition from prototype to operational production.^[5]^[8]^[9]

Testing, Production, and Adoption

The development of the ZSSW-30 turret underwent extensive qualification testing, culminating in the completion of its test program in October 2021, when the final protocol was signed following successful evaluations of its core systems.^[10] Initial live-fire tests of the integrated Spike-LR anti-tank guided missiles occurred in July 2016, with advanced trials of the upgraded Spike-LR2 variant conducted successfully at the Dęba range on November 19, 2020, where six missiles were launched with "very satisfying" results.^[11] Additional tests addressed electromagnetic compatibility, extreme temperature conditions, and buoyancy, though the latter was ultimately excluded from final requirements due to insufficient performance.^[12] By January 2024, the first operational test-firing by Polish soldiers from the 21st Podhale Rifles Brigade occurred on a Rosomak vehicle, marking a key step toward field integration.^[13] Following the successful qualification, production of the ZSSW-30 transitioned to series manufacturing under contracts awarded by the Polish Armament Agency. A framework agreement for up to 341 turrets was established, with an initial executive contract signed in 2022 for 70 units destined for Rosomak wheeled infantry fighting vehicles, valued at approximately EUR 396 million and scheduled for delivery by 2027.^[13] In July 2024, a further contract worth EUR 605 million was awarded to the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) for 58 Rosomak vehicles equipped with ZSSW-30 turrets, with deliveries planned for 2026–2027.^[13] A contract signed on December 17, 2024, for 80 Rosomak-L variants featuring the turret, valued at PLN 4.3 billion and including options for up to 174 additional units.^[3]^[14] The first batch of Rosomak vehicles fitted with ZSSW-30 turrets was delivered to the Polish Army in December 2023, produced by Huta Stalowa Wola in collaboration with WB Electronics. As of August 2025, 21 such vehicles had been delivered, with at least 12 more planned by the end of 2025 under the framework agreement for up to 341 systems.^[13]^[4] Adoption of the ZSSW-30 has focused on enhancing the firepower of Poland's mechanized forces, with initial deployment to the 21st Podhale Rifles Brigade of the 18th Mechanized Division, where it replaces older manned turrets on Rosomak APCs as part of a broader modernization effort.^[12] The system is also integrated into the Borsuk tracked infantry fighting vehicle, undergoing traction and live-fire evaluations, with an initial contract for 111 units signed in March 2025 and plans under negotiation for up to 1,400 Borsuk IFVs overall.^[10]^[15]^[16] Future expansions include equipping the Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle (CBWP) program, supporting Poland's goal of fielding up to 1,000 modernized platforms equipped with the turret by the end of the decade.^[11] Soldier training for the ZSSW-30 began during the testing phase and has accelerated with operational deliveries, ensuring rapid integration into active units.^[11]

Design Characteristics

Armament Systems

The ZSSW-30 unmanned turret system features a modular armament suite designed for versatile engagement of infantry, light vehicles, and armored threats, emphasizing remote operation to enhance crew safety. Its primary weapon is the 30mm Mk44S Bushmaster II autocannon, a chain gun produced by Northrop Grumman with bi-axial stabilization for accurate fire on the move. This cannon supports a dual-feed mechanism, allowing rapid switching between high-explosive and air-burst ammunition types, with a selectable rate of fire up to 200 rounds per minute for standard projectiles or 120 rounds per minute for programmable munitions.^[1] Complementing the main gun is a 7.62mm UKM-2000C general-purpose machine gun mounted coaxially, enabling effective suppression of dismounted infantry and lighter targets at shorter ranges. The machine gun integrates seamlessly with the turret's fire control system, sharing the same sighting and stabilization features as the autocannon for coordinated fire. For anti-armor capabilities, the ZSSW-30 incorporates a double launcher for Spike-LR anti-tank guided missiles, housed in a dedicated side-mounted container to minimize turret profile. These missiles offer a maximum range of 4.5 km and support fire-and-forget, fire-and-observe, and manual guidance modes, providing standoff engagement against heavily armored vehicles.^[1]^[17]^[11] Defensive countermeasures include eight 81mm smoke grenade launchers arranged around the turret, capable of deploying multispectral smoke screens to obscure the vehicle in both visible and infrared spectra, thereby disrupting enemy targeting. This armament configuration has undergone extensive testing, including live-fire trials with the Spike-LR missiles, confirming reliable integration and performance across various environmental conditions. The overall design prioritizes ammunition capacity—200 rounds for the 30mm gun and 2,000 for the machine gun—while maintaining a low silhouette for improved survivability on platforms like the Rosomak APC.^[1]^[18]

Protection Features

The ZSSW-30 turret employs a modular composite armor configuration composed of polyethylene fabric, steel plates, and ceramic composites, achieving STANAG 4569 Level III ballistic protection for its primary structure and integrated missile containers against small-arms fire and artillery fragments.^[1] Complementing this passive armor, the turret integrates the OBRA-3 soft-kill active protection system, featuring the SSP-1 laser warning receiver that detects incoming laser-guided threats and automatically triggers defensive countermeasures.^[1]^[19] This system is linked to eight 81 mm smoke grenade launchers arranged around the turret, capable of deploying multispectral smoke screens that obscure the vehicle in both visible and infrared spectra, thereby disrupting enemy targeting and surveillance.^[1] The smoke grenades, manufactured by ZSP Niewiadów, provide short-duration visual and thermal concealment to enhance crew survivability during evasion or repositioning maneuvers.^[1]

Sensors and Fire Control

The ZSSW-30 turret incorporates dual optronic heads developed by PCO S.A. for enhanced situational awareness and targeting. The gunner's sight, designated GOC-1 Nike, features a mid-wave infrared (MWIR) thermal imager operating in the 3-5 μm wavelength range, a daylight CCD camera, and an integrated laser rangefinder for precise distance measurement up to several kilometers.^[20]^[17] The commander's sight, GOD-1 Iris, provides a stabilized panoramic view with a long-wave infrared (LWIR) thermal imager, daylight camera, and laser rangefinder, enabling 360-degree observation independent of the turret's orientation.^[21]^[19] These systems support day/night operations and are mounted to allow simultaneous independent targeting by the gunner and commander. The fire control system (FCS), developed by WB Electronics, integrates seamlessly with the turret's 30 mm Mk 44 Bushmaster cannon, 7.62 mm UKM-2000C coaxial machine gun, and twin Spike-LR anti-tank guided missile launchers. It enables hunter-killer operations, where the commander identifies targets while the gunner engages, or killer-killer mode for dual simultaneous engagements, facilitated by an automatic target tracker that maintains lock-on during vehicle motion.^[22]^[6] The FCS processes data from the optronic sensors to compute ballistic solutions, incorporating environmental factors like wind and temperature for accurate fire, and allows single-panel control for switching between weapon modes.^[23] This setup enhances the turret's lethality against armored and infantry targets at effective ranges up to 3 km for the cannon and up to 4.5 km for the missiles. For self-protection, the ZSSW-30 is equipped with the SSP-1 Obra-3 laser warning receiver (LWR) system, manufactured by PCO S.A., which detects incoming laser illumination from rangefinders or beam-riding missiles across a 360-degree azimuth. Comprising four sensor heads—each with three detectors for full-spectrum coverage—the system alerts the crew and automatically triggers eight 81 mm smoke grenade launchers to deploy a multispectral obscurant screen, reducing detection and targeting risks.^[24]^[1] The Obra-3 interfaces directly with the turret's FCS, potentially cueing countermeasures or weapon responses toward the threat direction.^[19]

Operational Integration

Vehicle Platforms

The ZSSW-30 turret is integrated as the primary armament system on the Rosomak wheeled infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), a licensed variant of the Finnish Patria AMV produced by Rosomak S.A. in Siemianowice, Poland. This platform serves as an armored personnel carrier (APC) and IFV capable of transporting up to eight dismounted troops while providing fire support. The turret replaces the earlier Italian Hitfist-30P system, enhancing the vehicle's remote operation capabilities and reducing crew exposure. As of August 2025, 21 Rosomak vehicles equipped with the ZSSW-30 have been delivered to the Polish Armed Forces, primarily to the 21st Podhale Rifles Brigade, with an additional approximately 12 expected by the end of 2025.^[4] Under a framework agreement, up to 341 Rosomak vehicles are slated for modernization with the ZSSW-30, supported by contracts such as the July 2022 deal for 70 turrets (valued at 1.7 billion PLN) with deliveries spanning 2024–2027, and a July 2024 contract for 58 complete vehicles (2.6 billion PLN) scheduled for 2026–2027. A December 2024 contract added 80 Rosomak-L amphibious variants, with deliveries from 2027 to 2028.^[3] The integration allows the Rosomak to engage ground and low-flying aerial targets using the turret's 30mm Mk44S Bushmaster II cannon, coaxial 7.62mm UKM-2000C machine gun, and two Spike-LR anti-tank guided missiles, while maintaining the vehicle's amphibious and high-mobility characteristics on roads and rough terrain. Live-fire tests conducted in January 2024 confirmed the system's effectiveness in direct engagements.^[25]^[4]^[26] The ZSSW-30 is also the designated turret for the Borsuk tracked amphibious IFV, developed by Huta Stalowa Wola as part of Poland's next-generation mechanized forces modernization. The Borsuk platform emphasizes modularity, with a universal tracked chassis supporting troop transport for six to eight soldiers and full amphibious operations via water jets. Prototypes unveiled since 2022 feature the ZSSW-30 as the main weapon station, armed with the 30mm Bushmaster II cannon, coaxial machine gun, and Spike-LR missiles, enabling versatile combat roles including anti-infantry, anti-armor, and air defense against drones and helicopters. In March 2025, Poland signed a contract for 111 Borsuk IFVs valued at approximately $1.7 billion, with the ZSSW-30 integrated as standard, marking the initial production batch toward a potential fleet of up to 1,400 units under the 2023 framework agreement. Deliveries are expected to commence in 2025 through 2029, following ongoing testing of the turret's compatibility with the vehicle's active protection systems and sensor suite.^[15]^[27]^[28]

Deployment and Future Developments

The ZSSW-30 turret entered operational service with the Polish Armed Forces in December 2023, when the first batch of five Rosomak infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) equipped with the system was delivered to the 21st Podhale Rifles Brigade.^[25] These initial units underwent combat firing tests on January 21, 2024, confirming their integration into active brigade operations for engaging armored targets, structures, and providing fire support in day/night conditions.^[25] A second batch of five Rosomak IFVs with ZSSW-30 turrets was delivered to the same brigade on December 18, 2024, with an additional 11 delivered by August 2025, enhancing the unit's medium-range anti-armor and anti-infantry capabilities.^[25]^[4] The system has also been deployed on the Borsuk IFV platform, with prototypes operational as of late 2024.^[12] Production of the ZSSW-30, manufactured by Huta Stalowa Wola, commenced in 2022 following a July 5, 2022, contract for 70 turrets valued at 1.7 billion PLN, with deliveries scheduled through 2027.^[25] An executive agreement worth €396 million was signed for these initial 70 units, while a subsequent July 8, 2024, contract for 58 complete Rosomak vehicles equipped with ZSSW-30 turrets, valued at 2.6 billion PLN, targets deliveries from 2026 to 2027.^[25]^[13] A framework agreement covers up to 341 ZSSW-30-equipped Rosomak vehicles in total, supporting broader mechanized brigade modernization, including negotiations for an additional 174 units and 80 Rosomak-L variants from 2027 to 2028.^[25]^[13]^[3] Future developments for the ZSSW-30 emphasize expanded platform integration and technological upgrades to align with Poland's multi-year defense procurement strategy. The turret is planned for installation on up to 1,400 Borsuk vehicles under the 2023 framework agreement, potentially including heavy IFVs and new KTO vehicles under the Serwal program.^[28]^[13]^[25] Integration with foreign chassis is under evaluation, such as the Hanwha Redback (as the PL21 model), Rheinmetall Lynx KF41, and Otokar Tulpar, to support M1 Abrams tanks in the 18th Mechanized Division.^[29] Enhancements include potential AI integration into the fire control system for improved target acquisition and drone coordination, as well as anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) upgrades like Spike-LR2 or Javelin, pending technology transfer agreements announced in December 2023.^[12]^[29] These advancements aim to bolster the system's role in networked warfare environments.

References

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Aug 27, 2025 · The ZSSW-30 is fitted with eight 81mm smoke grenade launchers, designed to provide a multispectral smoke screen that obscures the vehicle in ...
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The development of the new turret was commissioned by the former Armament Inspectorate of the Ministry of National Defense on March 29, 2013, to a consortium ...
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