Dual-mode weapon turret with suppressive fire capability and method of operating same

A dual-mode turret system, comprising:

• a controller;
• an input device coupled to the controller;
• a turret base operable by a motor drive of the turret system;
• a cylindrical sleeve secured to the turret base;
• a mounting cylinder disposed in the cylindrical sleeve;
• a frame secured to the mounting cylinder, wherein the frame is adapted to hold a weapon;
• a first locking apparatus that when engaged mechanically couples the mounting cylinder and the cylindrical sleeve and prevents the mounting cylinder from rotating independently of the cylindrical sleeve;
• an arm coupled to the frame;
• a second locking apparatus that when engaged mechanically couples the arm to a drive motor and the controller operates the drive motor in response to commands received from the input device to cause rotation of the arm to adjust the elevation of the frame, and when disengaged mechanically decouples the arm from the drive motor and the arm may be rotated manually to adjust elevation of the frame;
• wherein rotation of the frame is manually adjustable when the first locking apparatus is disengaged, and the rotation of the frame is adjusted by the controller in response to commands received from the input device when the first locking apparatus is engaged;
• and
• wherein the arm includes a slot, a bearing is disposed in the slot, the bearing is coupled to the frame, and the bearing moves in the slot when the elevation of the frame is adjusted by the controller.

A method of operating a dual-mode turret system, wherein the dual-mode turret system includes a turret base comprising the steps of:

• securing a cylindrical sleeve to the turret base;
• disposing a mounting cylinder in the cylindrical sleeve, wherein the mounting cylinder has a frame adapted to hold a weapon secured thereto;
• coupling an arm having a slot therein to the frame;
• disposing a moveable bearing in the slot and coupling the movable bearing to the frame;
• receiving by a controller commands from an input device;
• moving a locking apparatus from a disengaged state to an engaged state to mechanically couple the arm to a motor;
• and
• operating the controller when the locking apparatus is in the engaged state to operate the motor to cause the arm to rotate and thereby adjust elevation of the frame in response to the received commands.