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40CT cannon

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40CTC
40CTC of a British Ajax armoured fighting vehicle
TypeCased telescoped autocannon
Place of origin France
 United Kingdom
Service history
In service2022–present
Used byBritish Army
French Armed Forces
Production history
DesignerCTA International
Designed1997 onwards
ManufacturerCTA International
Specifications
Mass340 kg
Length3,428 mm (11 ft 3.0 in)
Barrel length2,800 mm (110 in)
Cartridge40×255 mm
Caliber40 mm
ActionRecoil-operated, rotating breech
Rate of fire200 rpm
Effective firing range2,500 m (8,200 ft) (4,000 m (13,000 ft) for RapidFire)
Maximum firing range8,500 m[1]
Feed systemAutomatic Ammunition Handling System (AHS)

The 40CTC (40 mm Cased Telescoped Cannon) is a 40 mm autocannon and the central component of the Franco-British 40CTAS (40 mm Cased Telescoped Armament System) developed by CTA International. It is designed to fire 40mm telescoped ammunition.[2] This format provides significant benefit within vehicles in the space envelope required for the gun and the ammunition storage.[3] However, the selection of the unfielded, thus unproven, new design for major French and British programmes was controversial.[4][5]

The 40CTAS has been ordered by the French Army for use on its future EBRC Jaguar armoured reconnaissance vehicle. The latter entered service in February 2022. It has also been mandated for the UK Ajax (formerly FRES SV) and (cancelled) Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (WCSP) programmes.

In February 2010, CTA International signed a £11m contract with the French and British defence ministries to qualify the 40CT; this included environmental testing and the firing of 15,000 rounds.[6] The company has confirmed that the ammunition for the British weapons will be assembled by BAE Systems at the ROF Glascoed facility.[7]

Design[edit]

The 40CTAS consists of the following modules:

  • The 40 CT autocannon
  • The AHS (Ammunition Handling System), a linkless carousel-type feeding system that can be adapted to any turret configuration in terms of shape and capacity.
  • The GCE (Gun Control Equipment), an advanced pointing and stabilization system that ensures high site and bearing performance when firing on the move.
  • The Gun Mount, the mechanical interface between the gun and the turret; it is adaptable to integration needs.
  • The CTAS-C (CTAS-Controller) is the control and command box for the weapon and power supply system. Depending on requirements, it can also integrate fire control, including the "coincidence firing" function to maximize precision performance.

Variants[edit]

Nexter/Thales Naval RapidFire[edit]

The Naval RapidFire is a naval platform based on the 40CTC. Intended as close-in defense capability for surface vessels against air and land threats, it can fire the A3B round.[8] The RapidFire was selected for integration on the 4 Bâtiment ravitailleur de forces (BRF) of the French Navy as well as the upcoming class of 10 Patrouilleurs Hauturiers (PH) offshore patrol vessels. The first system was installed on the lead ship of the BRF, FS Jacques Chevallier, in February 2023.[9]

Nexter/Thales Land RapidFire[edit]

It is the land-based variant of the RapidFire and is meant for integration on military vehicles.[8] The turret can store between 70 and 120 rounds, with additional rounds stored in the turret structure's compartment. Rate of fire is 200 rpm with a range against aerial and surface targets of 4,000 m and 2,500 m respectively. The truck-based RapidFire can be mounted on a 6×6 and 8×8 chassis, the latter of which is able to de-mount the system onto the ground for it to operate independently.[10][11]

Ammunition[edit]

The 40CTAS's proprietary 40mm telescoped ammunition is manufactured for various applications, including anti-infantry and anti-materiel. The variants differ in weight, effective range, and payload depending on the intended target.

Type Projectile weight (g) Muzzle velocity (m/s) Penetration Effective range (m) Targets Notes
APFSDS-T
Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding Sabot - Tracer 		550[1] 1,500[1] 140 mm RHA at 1,500 m[1] 2,500[1] Medium armoured vehicles[1]
GPR-T
General Purpose Round - Tracer 		980 1,000 210 mm concrete or 15mm RHA at 1,000 m <8,500 Infantry, light armoured vehicles, defensive fortifications Available as point detonating (GPE-PD-T) or airburst munition (GPE-AB-T)
A3B-T
Anti Aerial Airburst - Tracer 		1,400 900 - 4,000 Unmanned aerial vehicles, light aircraft, helicopters
TP-T
Target Practice - Tracer 		980 1,000 - 8,500 -
TPRR-T
Target Practice Reduced Range - Tracer 		730 1,000 - 6,500 - Reduced range variant of TP-T

Users[edit]

Current operators[edit]

 France (300 + 8)
The French Army plans to order a total of 300 EBRC Jaguar, 150 have been ordered at the moment:[12][13]
 United Kingdom (245)
The British Army ordered 245 Ajax equipped with the 40CTC.[19]

Future Operators[edit]

 Belgium (60)
The Belgian Land Component ordered 60 EBRC Jaguar in 2018 as part of the CaMo cooperation with the French Army. It will succeed to the Piranha III DF30 & DF90.[20]
 France (7 + 3 in option)
The French Navy ordered 7 OPV Patrouilleur hauturier [fr] and plans to order 3 additional ones, each to be equipped with one RAPIDFire.[21]

Potential operators[edit]

 France
Several French Army programmes might lead to the introduction of the 40CTC cannon within the forces beyond the EBRC Jaguar:
  • France is in discussion with Greece regarding the sale of 120 second-hand VBCI IFV as a quick solution for Greece.[22] It is highly likely that France would replace those vehicles with the VBCI-2 and the T40 turret equipped with the 40CTC cannon.
  • A report from French elected official demonstrated a need for a cost-effective SHORAD capability in the French Army. The answer given is the Land RapidFire.[23]
 Greece (200)
KNDS and Hellenic Defence Systems partnered in 2022 to offer the VBCI Philoctetes to the Hellenic Army.[24] In 2024, more details regarding the potential sale of VBCI were revealed:[25][22]
  • 200 VBCI-2 that would be equipped with the T40 turret (40CTC and the Akeron MP ATGM)
  • 50 VBCI-2 in support configurations (sanitary, artillery observation, command)
  • 120 VBCI, second-hand from the French Army for rapid implementation
 Kuwait
KNDS and the UK is offering the ARTEC Boxer to the Kuwait Army and the 40CTC with the T40 turret is being offered as a potential weapon.[26]
 Luxembourg (38)
The Luxembourg Army plans to order 38 EBRC Jaguar.[27]
 Qatar
KNDS and the UK is offering the ARTEC Boxer to the Qatar Army equipped with the T40 (turret with 40CTC cannon).[28]
KNDS France also proposed the VBCI-2 equipped with the T40 turret to Qatar.[29] In April 2024, discussions for a first batch of 120 VBCI-2 were ongoing.[25]

Cancelled orders[edit]

 United Kingdom
The British Army cancelled the modernisation of the Warrior in 2021. A surplus worth £70 million of 40CTC cannons was revealed by the UK MoD following this cancellation.[30] A total of 515 cannon had been ordered by the MoD in 2015. The consequence is that some of those cannons were available for sale, or for other programme[30]. It is unknown whether these were used to supply Belgian and Luxembourg EBRC, or if the MoD kept them for future potential programmes.

Lost bids[edit]

 Australia
The Australian Army opened a tender process in the Land 400 Phase 2 programme. Nexter offered the VBCI-2 equipped with the T40 turret and 40CTC cannon. The Australian Army shortlisted two of its competitors, the Boxer equipped with the LANCE 30 turret and the Patria AMV equipped with the BAE E35 turret.[31] The Boxer won the programme, 133 in the CRV variant equipped with a LANCE 30 turret using the MK 30-2 [de] cannon.[32]
 Bulgaria
Nexter pitched the VBCI-2 with the T40 turret and the Nexter Titus as future vehicles for the Bulgarian Army in 2019.[33] The Stryker won the competition and a contract was signed in 2024. The IFV variant is the M1296 Dragoon which is equipped with the ATK Orbital MK.44S Bushmaster II cannon.[34]
 Lithuania
In 2015, Nexter offered the VBCI-2 with the T40 turret or the Leonardo Hitfist to the Lithuanian Army.[35] The Boxer won the competition in 2016 with the sale of 91 "Vilkas" equped with the Samson Mk II RCT turret using the ATK Orbital MK.44S Bushmaster II cannon. [36][37]
 Spain
In 2015, Nexter offered the VBCI-2 with the T40 turret for the new infantry fighting vehicle of the Spanish Army.[38] The Piranha V won the tender process and it is equipped with the Guardian 30 turret with the ATK Orbital MK.44S Bushmaster II cannon.[39]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "40 CTAS Brochure A5 Sept 2018.pdf"
  2. ^ "NEXTER Group - CTA International achieves Anglo-French qualification for the 40mm Cased Telescoped Cannon and Ammunition". Archived from the original on 28 May 2019.
  3. ^ "CTWS" - Deagel
  4. ^ "The 40mm Cased Telescoped Armament System (CTAS)". 8 December 2015.
  5. ^ "New 40mm cannon system handed over to British Army".
  6. ^ "WCSP: Britain’s Warriors to Undergo Mid-Life Upgrade" - Defense Industry Daily
  7. ^ "DefenceNews France, U.K. To Qualify New Cannon". Archived from the original on 12 November 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  8. ^ a b "RapidFire". Thales Group. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  9. ^ Groizeleau, Vincent (1 March 2023). "Le nouveau canon RAPIDFire Naval embarque sur un premier bâtiment de la Marine nationale". Mer et Marine (in French). Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  10. ^ "Eurosatory 2024: KNDS Group unveils updated truck-based RAPIDFire". Janes Information Services. 20 June 2024. Archived from the original on 20 June 2024.
  11. ^ Eurosatory 2024: KNDS Presents RAPIDFire Defense System. Army Recognition. 19 June 2024.
  12. ^ https://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/dyn/16/textes/l16b1517_texte-adopte-commission.pdf
  13. ^ a b Lagneau, Laurent (2022-05-10). "Les commandes de 302 Griffon, de 88 Jaguar et de 54 MEPAC ont été notifiées par la Direction générale de l'armement". Zone Militaire (in French). Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  14. ^ Nouvelle, L'Usine (2017-04-25). "Les premiers blindés Griffon et Jaguar commandés pour le programme Scorpion". L'Usine Nouvelle (in French).
  15. ^ archives.defense.gouv.fr https://archives.defense.gouv.fr/dga/actualite/scorpion-commande-des-premiers-vehicules-blindes-vbmr-et-ebrc.html. Retrieved 2024-06-26. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. ^ "Programme Scorpion: le ministère des Armées commande 313 véhicules blindés". BFM BUSINESS (in French). Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  17. ^ https://archives.defense.gouv.fr/content/download/584376/9948304/Batiments%20ravitailleurs%20de%20force%20.pdf
  18. ^ "Un nouveau canon de 40 mm pour la marine française | Mer et Marine". www.meretmarine.com (in French). 2020-02-06. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  19. ^ "COMBAT VEHICLES AJAX".
  20. ^ Valpolini, Paolo (2018-10-26). "Nexter will equip the Belgian Land component with VBMR-GRIFFON and EBRC-JAGUAR". EDR Magazine. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  21. ^ "Marine nationale : gros plan sur les futurs patrouilleurs hauturiers (PH) | Mer et Marine". www.meretmarine.com (in French). 2023-11-24. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  22. ^ a b "370 VBCI Philoctete and used from Nexter for Greece?". meta-defense.fr. 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  23. ^ Lagneau, Laurent (2023-02-15). "Un rapport parle de renforcer la capacité de lutte anti-aérienne de l'armée de Terre avec le canon RapidFire". Zone Militaire (in French). Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  24. ^ "Nexter and Hellenic Defence Systems partner to offer VBCI-2 to Greece". Default. 2022-04-05. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  25. ^ a b "Le Qatar pourrait acheter 120 véhicules blindés VBCI fabriqués par KNDS France". La Tribune (in French). 2024-04-24. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  26. ^ "KNDS targets 40 CTA turret for export market | Shephard". www.shephardmedia.com. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  27. ^ Lagneau, Laurent (2024-05-09). "Le Luxembourg va commander 38 blindés de reconnaissance et de combat Jaguar et quelques Griffon". Zone Militaire (in French). Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  28. ^ "KNDS targets 40 CTA turret for export market | Shephard". www.shephardmedia.com. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  29. ^ Manuel, Rojoef (2024-03-06). "Nexter Offers Latest VBCI Infantry Fighting Vehicle to Qatar". The Defense Post. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  30. ^ a b "UK Warrior upgrade cancellation makes sale of CT40 cannons likely". Default. 2021-04-21. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  31. ^ Eshel, Tamir (2016-07-28). "Australia Shortlists Boxer, AMV-35 for Future Combat Recce Vehicle - Defense Update". Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  32. ^ "Rheinmetall wins contract for 123 Boxer Heavy Weapon Carrier Vehicles". Defense Here. 2024-04-11. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  33. ^ admin (2019-01-16). "Nexter System pitching Titus and VBCI 2 T40 wheeled armoured vehicles in Bulgaria - MilitaryLeak.COM". militaryleak.com. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  34. ^ "HEMUS 2024: Terem Holding to partially assemble Strykers in Bulgaria". Default. 2024-06-13. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  35. ^ Gain, Nathan (2015-12-04). "Nexter promeut son VBCI-2 en Lituanie". FOB - Forces Operations Blog (in French). Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  36. ^ "Lithuania receives first Boxer armoured vehicles". Janes.com. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  37. ^ Oryx. "Leader Of The Pack: Lithuania's Vilkas IFVs". Oryx. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
  38. ^ InfoDefensa, Revista Defensa. "Nexter presenta su nueva versión de exportación del blindado 8x8 VBCI". Infodefensa - Noticias de defensa, industria, seguridad, armamento, ejércitos y tecnología de la defensa (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-06-26.
  39. ^ Editorial, Defense Brief (2021-12-19). "Spain's 8x8 Dragon VCR combat vehicle program enters construction phase". Defense Brief. Retrieved 2024-06-26.
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