Thales and KNDS France unveil RAPIDFire Land ground defense system to protect air bases

RAPIDFire Land

At the Paris Air Show, Thales and KNDS France, together with the French Air Force and Space Forces, presented a new remotely controlled RAPIDFire Land ground defense system. This system is designed to protect air bases both in France and abroad, especially for the protection of strategically important facilities.

RAPIDFire Land System Features

- Armament: CT40 40mm telescopic cannon, developed by CTA International, a joint venture between KNDS Systems and BAE Systems, originally designed for the Jaguar armored vehicle.

- Configurations: available in two versions — mobile (mounted on a truck chassis, for example, Tatra) and semi-mobile (fixed platform for protecting facilities such as airfields).

- Ammunition and specifications: It has a rate of fire of up to 200 rounds per minute, 140 rounds of ammunition in the magazine and 280 in reserve, and a range of up to 4 km against air targets and 2.5 km against ground targets.

- Guidance systems: equipped with an optoelectronic system with a thermal imager and a laser rangefinder, as well as a fire control system that corrects fire after each shot.

- Purpose: Effective against aerial and surface threats, including drones, helicopters, light aircraft and cruise missiles.

RAPIDFire Land has become a land-based version of the RAPIDFire marine system already deployed on French Navy ships. The system is designed to complement traditional air defense systems and enhance the protection of important military installations from modern threats. The modular design allows you to adapt the system to different platforms and tasks.

The new RAPIDFire Land system is a state-of-the-art solution to enhance the security of air bases and other strategic facilities by combining high firepower, precision, and mobility.

Lockheed Martin is negotiating with Japan on the licensed production of the Mk70 system

Mk70

Lockheed Martin has announced the start of preliminary negotiations with the Japanese industry regarding the possible licensed production of the latest Mk70 vertical launch system. This system, also known as the Payload Delivery System, is an innovative development that combines proven technologies and state-of-the-art solutions to enhance naval combat capabilities.

The Mk70 is based on the Mk41 VLS (Vertical Launcher), designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The Mk41 system has already established itself as a reliable and versatile tool for launching rockets of various types and classes. It has been adopted by the navies of 15 countries, including the US Navy. The new Mk70 system adapts this technology for use in a 40-foot container, making it a mobile and easily deployable platform.

A special feature of the Mk70 is the ability to place a four-section vertical launcher inside a container. The container is equipped with a tilting mechanism that rises to launch rockets. This provides flexibility in deployment and allows the system to be used even on ships not equipped with traditional launchers.

For Japan, which is actively modernizing its naval forces in the face of growing threats in the region, licensed production of the Mk70 could be an important step. This will allow the country not only to strengthen its defense capabilities, but also to develop its own defense industry through advanced technologies.

The development and deployment of the Mk70 demonstrate Lockheed Martin's commitment to offering innovative solutions for modern naval challenges. The system can be used to launch various types of missiles, including anti-ship, anti-aircraft and cruise missiles, making it a versatile tool for maritime safety.