40CT cannon

Last updated
40CTC
40CT cannon.jpg
40CTC of a British Ajax armoured fighting vehicle
Type Cased telescoped autocannon
Place of originFlag of France.svg  France
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Service history
In service2022–present
Used by British Army
French Armed Forces
Production history
DesignerCTA International
Designed1997 onwards
Manufacturer CTA International
Specifications
Mass340 kg
Length3,428 mm (11 ft 3.0 in)
Barrel  length2,800 mm (110 in)

Cartridge 40×255 mm
Caliber 40 mm
Action Recoil-operated, rotating breech
Rate of fire 200 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]

Contents

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

The 40CTAS consists of the following modules:

Variants

Nexter/Thales Naval RapidFire

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 Bâtiment ravitailleur de forces of the French Navy. The first system was installed on the lead ship of the class, FS Jacques Chevallier, in February 2023. [9]

Nexter/Thales Land RapidFire

It is the land-based variant of the RapidFire and is meant for integration on military vehicles. [8]

Ammunition

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.

TypeProjectile weight (g)Muzzle velocity (m/s)PenetrationEffective range (m)TargetsNotes
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
9801,000210 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
1,400900-4,000 Unmanned aerial vehicles, light aircraft, helicopters
TP-T
Target Practice - Tracer
9801,000-8,500-
TPRR-T
Target Practice Reduced Range - Tracer
7301,000-6,500-Reduced range variant of TP-T

Users

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "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. 1 2 "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.