Ajax firing testing begins
The first live firing tests have been carried out for the Ajax armoured fighting vehicle programme, General Dynamics Land Systems–UK announced on 14 December.
The manned firing testing was carried out on an Ares variant, to test the performance of the Protector remote weapon system. Three weapons were tested: the General Purpose Machine Gun, Heavy Machine Gun and Grenade Machine Gun (GMG).
The tests saw crew fire from within the vehicles to gather critical data to demonstrate the platform’s ability to accurately and consistently engage specific targets at varying distances.
Chief of Materiel (Land) for Defence Equipment and Support, Lt Gen Paul Jaques, said: ‘The successful conclusion of the initial round of live firing trials is an important step towards delivery of the Ajax fleet; the biggest single order for armoured vehicles for the British Army in more than 30 years.
‘I look forward to seeing further success in trials before the first of these capable vehicles, which will sit at the heart of the British Army’s two new Strike Brigades, are delivered to the army next year.’
General Dynamics Land Systems–UK will undertake a five-month manned live firing trial of the turreted Ajax variant in 2017, which includes the firing of all on board weapons systems, including the CTA International 40mm cannon.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Norway orders improved NASAMS technology as more countries sign up]()
Norway orders improved NASAMS technology as more countries sign up
The country’s air defence batteries will be equipped with new command posts, wheeled communication nodes and radios. The system itself is in service with more than 14 countries with 13 systems in Ukraine.
-
![Ukraine’s ground robot army still finding its feet]()
Ukraine’s ground robot army still finding its feet
Ukraine’s quest to replace soldiers with robots is hitting technical snags. Shephard spoke with industry leaders about difficulties in the field and what solutions are in the pipeline.
-
![DOK-ING presents CUAS MV-8 armed with Valhalla Mangart 25 turret]()
DOK-ING presents CUAS MV-8 armed with Valhalla Mangart 25 turret
The partnership between Croatia’s DOK-ING and Slovenia’s Valhalla Turrets reflects an effort to combine ground robots and with improved capabilities and new roles and follows Rheinmetall presenting its Ox with Dispatch charging docks from Valinor.
-
![Scorpion light mortar completes tests with US Army and moves to next exercise]()
Scorpion light mortar completes tests with US Army and moves to next exercise
Having completed five days of trials with the US Army, the two Scorpion Light mortar systems will stay in Hawaii to take part in planned Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center training exercises in early November.
-
![EOS improving Slinger CUAS role as industry pushes forward]()
EOS improving Slinger CUAS role as industry pushes forward
EOS Defence Systems officially launched its Slinger anti-drone system in 2023. The system features a remote weapon station, visual sensors and a Northrop Grumman 30mm cannon with specially designed ammunition, combined with EOS’s stabilisation and pointing technology.
