At the 2023 Paris Air Show, KNDS (Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter Defense Systems) showcased its cutting-edge RapidFire 40mm gun system, equipped with the Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM).
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RAPIDFire 40mm gun system with Lightweight Multirole Missile. (Picture source: Navy Recognition)
RAPIDFire
The RAPIDFire system is a compact and adaptable solution, engineered for both naval and land applications, that stands ready to confront current and upcoming security threats.
This system can function on its own or blend seamlessly into an integrated system. RAPIDFire brings together a powerful gun and a precise optronic fire-control system, adept at neutralizing a diverse range of aerial threats. It can handle everything from drones and helicopters to ground-attack aircraft and cruise missiles, as well as surface-based threats.
Whether functioning autonomously or synergistically with an advanced 3D radar and a dynamic command-and-control system, RAPIDFire showcases an impressive ability to predict and preempt threats. It employs a 40CTA cannon, with an impressive range of up to 4,000m for aerial targets and 2,500m for surface targets.
The RAPIDFire system's firing speed is equally impressive, capable of reaching up to 200 rounds per minute. In terms of ammunition capacity, the turret can house between 70 and 140 ready-to-fire rounds, with additional storage available within the turret structure.
Moreover, the system's optronic sight not only enables pre-engagement visual identification but also aids in target tracking during engagement and real-time interception evaluation.
Its diverse ammunition arsenal includes Anti-Aerial Air Burst (A3B) for air targets, complete with hundreds of tungsten pellets, point detonating (PD), air burst (AB), Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS), and Training Practice (TP) for training exercises.
LMM
The Lightweight Multirole Missile is a rapid and precise striking tool designed to neutralize a wide spectrum of threats. This high-precision missile, with a range surpassing 6 km, is engineered to deliver quick responses with a speed of Mach 1.5. The missile's dimensions are also compact, with a diameter of 76 mm and length of 1.3 m, and it weighs just 13 kg.
This system's design advantages allow for effortless integration across various platforms - land, air, and naval. It's an ideal solution to increase firepower in lightweight systems, particularly in scenarios involving swarm attack threats. The missile incorporates a dual-effect warhead, capable of creating a shaped charge and blast fragmentation, weighing approximately 8 kg.
The missile's guidance system utilizes accurate laser beam riding, offering immunity to countermeasures. Furthermore, the missile is designed for zero maintenance due to its hermetically sealed launch tube and boasts a shelf life of 15 years. This blend of features results in a highly effective and long-lasting tool for neutralizing threats.
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