CTAI delivers 40mm cannon to UK
CTA International (CTAI), a joint venture between BAE Systems and Nexter Systems, has delivered the first production standard Cased Telescoped Cannon System to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) in Bourges, France, BAE Systems announced on 21 March.
The new 40mm cannons will be used by the British Army on the Warrior and Ajax armoured vehicles. A total of 515 systems will be delivered.
The cannon fires 40mm cased telescoped ammunition. The ammunition is contained in a straight tube and can deliver a charge that is four times more powerful than the 30mm rounds it replaces. Armour piercing and training rounds have been developed for the cannon so far; point detonating rounds that can penetrate thick concrete and an airburst round for engaging light vehicles and infantry spread over a large area are currently undergoing qualification. An anti-aerial airburst round for airborne targets is also under development.
The cannon uses a new rotating breech system, with ammunition loaded at a 90 degree angle to the barrel before being rotated into firing position. This design saves space in the vehicle, creating extra room to store more ammunition or equipment.
Philip Dunne, Minister of State for Defence Procurement, said: ‘This next-generation cannon has been developed through close Anglo-French collaboration and adds significantly to the capability of the UK and our NATO allies. The delivery of the first cannon on our Ajax vehicles is another example of how our £178 billion investment in UK defence is ensuring our armed forces have the equipment they need.’
More from Land Warfare
-
![US Marines to field Next Generation Handheld Targeting System in FY24]()
US Marines to field Next Generation Handheld Targeting System in FY24
Acquired in February 2022, the Next Generation Handheld Targeting System will allow Marines to rapidly and accurately conduct target location and laser guidance during combat operations.
-
![American Rheinmetall and GM Defense team up to compete in the US Army’s Common Tactical Truck programme]()
American Rheinmetall and GM Defense team up to compete in the US Army’s Common Tactical Truck programme
American Rheinmetall and GM Defense are offering the HX3-CTT, which is derived from the HX3 next-generation series of trucks.
-
![France invests in vehicles for paratroopers]()
France invests in vehicles for paratroopers
New lightweight and air-droppable vehicles are being provided to the 11th Parachute Brigade in the French Army.
-
![US Army orders more 144 Mack Defense M917A3 Heavy Dump Trucks]()
US Army orders more 144 Mack Defense M917A3 Heavy Dump Trucks
Based on the commercially available Mack Granite model, the HDTs are operated by engineering units in construction and maintenance missions for infrastructure assets.
-
![US Marine Corps orders ACV-30 test vehicles with Kongsberg remote weapons station]()
US Marine Corps orders ACV-30 test vehicles with Kongsberg remote weapons station
A full-rate production decision from the USMC for the ACV-30 may follow a period of testing.
-
![NP Aerospace operates ‘around the clock’ to provide Ukraine with body armour]()
NP Aerospace operates ‘around the clock’ to provide Ukraine with body armour
UK company NP Aerospace manufactured and delivered more than 20,000 sets of body armour plates and carrier vests to Ukraine in the last three months.
