“Thales and KNDS France Launch Revolutionary RAPIDFire Land System”
An Authorized System
Fourteen RAPIDFire units have been firmly contracted by the DGA to equip vessels of the French Navy. Two systems are already integrated aboard the Fleet Replenishment Ship (BRF) Jacques Chevallier, which has successfully completed two extended deployments (DLD) as part of the Carrier Strike Group, highlighted by numerous live-fire exercises. Two additional units have just been added to Jacques Stosskopf (BRF2) for an upcoming mission. A fifth system will soon be installed on the Navy’s new offshore patrol vessel.
The RAPIDFire system received official qualification in early 2025, enabling it to function with all existing 40CT ammunition varieties.
Advanced Self-defense Capability
RAPIDFire is the inaugural remotely operated 40mm turret to incorporate the CT40 weapon. Co-designed by Thales and KNDS France, it is equipped with sophisticated optronic systems and employs the new 40mm cased telescoped ammunition created by CTAI (a subsidiary of KNDS France).
This solution provides unparalleled firepower with up to 140 ready-to-use rounds, facilitating numerous intercepts without the need for reloading. Its fire control system recalibrates the target’s location after each discharge, based on target movement. The turret can address a diverse array of threats up to 4 km, including light aircraft, drones, loitering munitions, missiles, and surface targets. Its 40mm cannon is compatible with all telescoped ammunition types, including the A3B “airburst” round, which is especially effective against aerial threats.
A Multi-platform Solution: From Maritime to Terrestrial
Due to its modular design, RAPIDFire can be customized for various applications. A land-based variant is currently in development in collaboration with the French Air and Space Force, which is exploring solutions to safeguard airbases both in mainland France and in overseas deployments, particularly for the protection of high-value assets.
Thales and KNDS France are working on RAPIDFire Land in two configurations:
- Semi-mobile: A 20-foot platform installed on the ground for site defense, easily transportable and quickly deployable.
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- Mobile: The same 20-foot module mounted on a vehicle to safeguard high-value assets in the field.
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A3B: The Optimal Ammunition for Air Defense
Employing the established Airburst technology of the GPR-AB-T round, the A3B ammunition delivers a payload of tungsten sub-projectiles with a directional (frontal) terminal impact, enhancing efficiency against various aerial threats — including drones, helicopters, light aircraft, fighter jets, subsonic missiles, and RAM (rocket, artillery, mortar) threats.
The A3B (Anti-Aerial AirBurst) round is currently under development (TRL5 achieved) and aims to enable the complete anti-air capabilities of the RAPIDFire system by 2027. A contract modification was awarded at the end of 2024 to support the development, industrialization, qualification, and delivery of 500 initial batches of A3B ammunition along with the RAPIDFire system.
