Thales and KNDS France have confirmed the full qualification of their co-developed RAPIDFire remotely operated artillery system.
As of early 2025, the RAPIDFire system has completed its qualification process, enabling compatibility with all current 40CT ammunition types, the companies said.
The French defence procurement agency had placed orders for 14 units to enhance the French Navy’s capabilities, with two systems installed on the fleet replenishment tanker Jacques Chevallier.
The system has also participated in live fire exercises alongside France’s carrier strike group.
Another two RAPIDFire systems were deployed on the tanker Jacques Stosskopf, while a fifth will be installed on a new offshore patrol vessel with the French Navy.
Claimed to be the first remotely operated 40 mm system featuring the 40CT cannon, RAPIDFire provides close-in self-defence against modern air and surface threats.
It incorporates advanced optronics developed by Thales and KNDS France, along with innovative 40mm cased telescoped munition technology from CTAI, a KNDS France subsidiary.
RAPIDFire offers firepower with a ready rack capacity of up to 140 rounds, allowing for multiple target interceptions without reloading.
Its fire control system automatically adjusts aim after each shot to track targets’ speed and trajectory, engaging threats such as ships, light aircraft, drones, loitering munitions, and missiles at distances of up to 4km.
The system is compatible with all telescoped munitions, including the Anti Aerial Airburst (A3B) round, effective against aerial targets.
The two companies also unveiled RAPIDFire Land, a ground-based variant of the 40mm RAPIDFire Naval defence system.
The new land-based variant aims to protect sensitive locations from diverse threats, including saturation attacks.
The land-based version was developed after consultations with the French Air and Space Force to protect high-value assets at air bases in France and during overseas operations.
It will be available in two configurations, including a semi-mobile setup for site protection and a configuration utilising the airburst technology of the GPR-AB-T round.
The companies also revealed that A3B munition is set to reach a key milestone. It is developed to deliver tungsten subprojectiles with a directional terminal effect, enhancing effectiveness against aerial threats like drones and low-end missiles.
Currently, the A3B munition is at Technology Readiness Level 5, with full operational capability in anti-air mode expected by 2027.
A contract modification awarded in late 2024 will support the development, production engineering, qualification, and delivery of an initial batch of 500 A3B munitions for integration with the RAPIDFire system.
In May 2025, Thales received a contract to provide the Republic of Singapore Navy with the advanced autonomous mine countermeasures system, Pathmaster, through ST Engineering.
