Sky Titans: The Role of KNDS France in Equipping French Fighters and Combat Helicopters

• KNDS France illustrates its airborne medium-caliber offerings with established and esteemed performance;
• Defense industry initiatives are enhancing the manufacturing of KNDS France’s airborne medium-caliber systems, produced at the KNDS facility in Bourges;
• Whether 20 mm or 30 mm, the aerial systems utilized on the RAFALE and the TIGER provide unparalleled performance.

KNDS France: Premier European Authority in Airborne Medium Caliber

KNDS France is highlighting its airborne medium-caliber solutions, supported by its proficiency in armament and ammunition integration. KNDS France has delivered over 780 mounts currently operational overseas, including with various European defense forces like Germany and Romania, in addition to the French military.

All of KNDS France’s airborne medium-caliber solutions are field-tested and presently in production. These encompass the 30mm cannons for the RAFALE fighter aircraft (30M791) and the TIGER assault helicopter (30M781), along with 20mm cannons incorporated into diverse mounts on H145M, H225M, and LCH combat helicopters. These systems have undergone rigorous testing in various operational environments, including Mali, Lebanon, and Afghanistan.

Manufacturing Excellence Aimed at High-Intensity Conflict and Advancement

To accommodate increasing requirements, industrial initiatives consistent with the wartime economy strategy have allowed KNDS France to enhance the manufacturing of its medium-caliber mounts. This involves a notable rise in the output rate of 30mm systems and a twofold increase in 20mm mount production over the past three years.

KNDS France remains alert and adaptable to changing technologies and operational demands. Innovation thus forms a crucial foundation in the advancement of airborne medium-caliber systems. Smart munitions are among the active fields of research and development.

Operational Superiority of KNDS France’s Aerial Systems

The 20mm systems are based on the 20M621, specifically designed for aviation, delivering recoil akin to a 12.7mm machine gun yet offering substantially greater terminal impact. This encompasses the under-cabin turret mount (THL20), selected by Romanian and Indian forces; the pod-mounted variant (20M621), recently adopted by German forces; and the door-mounted version (SH20), preferred by special operations forces. The 20M621 cannon is perfectly aligned with the operational requirements of air, land, and naval forces.

KNDS France also provides 30mm cannons, including the 30M781. In its under-cabin turret set-up (THL30), it equips the TIGER helicopter and is also accessible in a land-based format.

Lastly, KNDS France is showcasing the fastest single-barrel cannon globally, which is currently outfitted on the RAFALE. With an immediate firing rate of 2,500 rounds per minute, the 30M791 delivers more than 40 shells per second at a speed of 1,000 m/s.