Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Although reminiscent of futuristic action movies, remote-controlled guns such as the MORPOWER UG-02, are a tangible reality. These concepts have long captured our imagination and made appearances in popular films like The Jackal, Shooter, and prominent video games such as Call of Duty, featuring the iconic sentry gun. One of the most notable instances was the deployment of a remote-controlled turret in the 2020 assassination of Iran’s leading nuclear scientist. In actuality, these systems, while seemingly complex, are relatively straightforward and can significantly enhance force capabilities under the right conditions.
When walking the rows of booths upon booths at SHOT Show in early 2023, I stumbled upon a company called MORPOWER. What drew me to their table was the rifle they had set up on a tripod that was being moved and aimed remotely. The turret on display was an early prototype called the UG-01 which looked to be solid proof of concept. After getting in touch, I learned they were developing the UG-02 which I was able to borrow for testing.
So What Is The UG-02?
Many of you may be wondering what the UG-02 is, and I will explain. This remote-controlled turret enhances an existing weapon system to be operated from a distance. While it doesn’t include a firearm, it has the clamps to mount most standard ARs which feature collapsable stocks. It consists of an RC head and a control interface. This was designed to be used in “dangerous shooting or hunting environments.” The main benefit of these sorts of systems is minimizing personnel exposure. Similar to drones, they allow operators to fire from behind cover.
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How Does it Work?
The UG-02 can move in two-axis. Side to side and up and down. The remote-controlled head has clamps to securely lock down a standard AR. Aiming for the turret is accomplished by live-streaming video from a camera mounted behind the optic of the firearm. To remotely fire the weapon mounted to the UG-02, there is a pin on a solenoid that is pulled into the trigger when activated. To power the whole turret a 12V power source is needed. I used a 10Ah battery for just a couple hours without issue.
The RC head is controlled remotely via a wireless black box that is also provided by MORPOWER. This case is beyond cool. While it looks like a normal briefcase on the outside, when opened it looks like something straight out of a movie. It has antennas that fold down, a whole array of buttons that can be programmed to meet the end user’s needs, gimbal controls for aiming the turret, and a tv screen for live streaming wireless footage directly from the turret. While the version I had only had a video streaming range of approximately 400 yards, I was told that with increased power video and control transmission could reach ranges up to 30 kilometers.
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Remote Capabilities
One thing to be aware of when operating remote systems is latency. Reality moves faster than video is transmitted and when it comes to shooting you want it to be in real time. When the controller was just a few feet from the turret the live-streamed image from the turret was only about 0.20 seconds behind reality. This surprised me and proved to be in pair with many digital riflescopes currently on the market.
MORPOWER UG-02 Performance
During my testing, the UG-02 worked quite well. The RC head is quite hefty which helps keep the system from rocking under recoil. It could shoot quickly, and bounce back to its original point of aim after the first shot. The gimbal in the control box allowed for a fairly fine aim, but would not move very fast between targets. Shown below are two videos of the UG-02 being put to use:
Safety Features
Being a remote control, I was originally quite skeptical and worried about safely operating it. MORPOWER includes manual stops that can be screwed into the base to limit both horizontal and vertical axis movement. However, there is no safety on the fire button in the control box, and I wish there was a lockout for that. Another concern I have is the potential for a misfire. Being operated by radio signals, I was quite paranoid that some random radio wave from a walkie-talkie, or a garage door opener could have moved or fired the turret. I never had this issue, and I am no HAM operator, but it was something that was always in the back of my mind. However, everything worked as intended throughout my time with the UG-02.
Conclusion
New technology continues to flood the market, offering a never-ending stream of capabilities. The MORPOWER UG-02 system shines as an ideal choice for deployment on armored vehicles, enhancing base and border security. Notably, MORPOWER has limited its sales exclusively to government entities, preventing civilian access. This versatile system not only serves as a remote firing solution but also excels in location monitoring. In essence, it represents a blend of straightforward yet powerful technology that both intrigues and terrifies while shedding light on the evolving world we inhabit. The future is now, so prepare accordingly.
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