This model presented by KNDS shows the 8×8 variant of the land-based RAPIDFire and appears to be based on the same chassis utilised for the 8×8 Caesar wheeled artillery system. (Janes/Christopher Petrov)
KNDS Group has updated its 6×6 RAPIDFire short-range air-defence system and added an option for an 8×8 chassis to house a RAPIDFire turret, the company revealed at the Eurosatory 2024 defence exhibition held in Paris from 17 to 21 June.
The centre of the system is the RAPIDFire turret, armed with the 40 mm cased telescoped armament system (40CTAS), also in use on the French Army's EBRC Jaguar, the British Army's Ajax, and on naval platforms.
The specific turret configuration mounted on the truck chassis is nearly identical to those used on ships, with a representative of KNDS who managed the RAPIDFire product line saying that the only differences are modifications to adapt the fire-control system for use on land and a different power system to accommodate the voltage difference provided by the truck's electrical supply.
The turret utilises an autoloader for the 40CTAS that can store between 70 and 120 rounds. The KNDS representative said that the 8×8 variant of the truck-based RAPIDFire system will also be equipped with a demountable rack to allow the weapon system to be dismounted onto the ground and used independent of the mobile platform. This capability will not be available for the lighter and smaller 6×6 variant.
Press officer for KNDS, Robin Lambert, had not confirmed any specific interest from potential users at the time of publication.
For more information on developments in short-range engagement systems, please seeEurosatory 2024: KNDS offers new short-range air-defence systems .
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