RAPIDFire

RAPIDFire is a compact, self-contained 40mm gun system built around the 40 CTAS (Cased Telescoped Ammunition System) developed by CTAI, the joint subsidiary of Nexter Systems (now KNDS France) and BAE Systems. A single operator handles target identification, engagement and firing through an integrated optronic fire-control system with infrared, daylight TV and laser-rangefinder channels, with automatic firing proposals generated on threat detection and real-time selectable ammunition types. The French Ministry of Armed Forces lists the system's firing rate at up to 180 rounds/minute, up to 140 ready-to-fire rounds carried in the turret, and an effective range of up to 4,000 meters. A land-based variant, RAPIDFire Land, was unveiled by Thales and KNDS France for ground-based air defense and counter-UAS roles. The naval RAPIDFire has been selected to arm future French Navy warships (including new frigates) for close-in defense against aerial threats, missiles, small boats and drone swarms; pre-series naval turrets were first publicly exhibited at Euronaval 2022, and some open-source reporting on that early configuration cites a turret weight in the 3-3.5 tonne range.