Dual elevation weapon station and method of use

A gimbaled weapon system (GWS) comprising, in combination:

• a sighting system, a control unit, a weapon cradle for receiving a weapon, and an operator interface for the GWS located remotely from the weapon cradle and the sighting system, and a display associated with the operator interface, wherein the weapon cradle is elevated using a first elevation drive and wherein the weapon cradle is co-located with the sighting system as a unit in the GWS;
• wherein the sighting system includes a thermal video camera and a visible spectrum video camera, the thermal video camera and the visible spectrum video camera each producing a video output, wherein the thermal and visible spectrum video outputs are provided to the display associated with the operator interface;
• the display located remotely from the weapon cradle and the sighting system;
• wherein the GWS further comprises a second elevation drive elevating the sighting system independently of the elevation of the weapon cradle by the first elevation drive, and wherein the operator interface includes a device for controlling movement of the sighting system in azimuth and elevation, such that the sighting system may track a target under operator control and provide thermal video or visible spectrum video of the target to the display of the remotely located operator interface completely independently of the elevation of the weapon cradle.