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
-
![DSEI 2025: Polaris displays new all-terrain vehicle with Alakran mortar system]()
DSEI 2025: Polaris displays new all-terrain vehicle with Alakran mortar system
The Polaris Government and Defense’s Military RZR (MRZR) Alpha 1KW was displayed at the Modern Day Marine exposition in the US earlier this year and with the Alakran mobile mortar weapon system at DSEI. The company outlined recent firing trials with the Alakran mobile mortar weapon system (MMWS) which was weeks after the company announced a major NATO deal.
-
![DSEI 2025: Thales creating new remote weapon station and Storm 2 counter-drone jammer]()
DSEI 2025: Thales creating new remote weapon station and Storm 2 counter-drone jammer
Thales launched Storm-H in 2012 as an EW system equipping individual dismounted troops, and a decade later revealed details to develop the improved and more powerful Storm 2.
-
![The integration between drones and land vehicles is accelerating]()
The integration between drones and land vehicles is accelerating
Drones and military ground vehicles are increasingly being designed to operate together as a single platform or even to convert crewed systems to automated ones.
-
![Denmark shuns US platform as it settles on SAMP/T air defence system]()
Denmark shuns US platform as it settles on SAMP/T air defence system
The acquisition, which is part of the country’s broader defence package worth DKK58 billion (US$9.2 billion), goes against the grain with many other European countries opting for the US’s popular Patriot platform.
