After the protection of war ships, that of the air bases. Thales and Knds announced an association in the Le Bourget show to develop a land version of the Rapidfire system.
The feedback of the war experience in Ukraine, and especially the recent operation of “Spider Web” carried out by Ukraine in Russia, performed in favor of the development of a land version of Rapidfire in the version of the Earth: the mode of action of the Ukrainian armed forces has highlighted the vulnerability of the air defense systems and, therefore, the need to protect strategic infrastructure as strategic infrastructure An air base against the mass of drone attacks.
It is also due to a greater interest in the Air Force and the space for this type of very short solution that Knds and Thales launched the adaptation work.
This very short range of artillery system with a very short range of the order of 4 kilometers, is offered for the protection “of sensitive sites against diverse and saturating attacks”. Clearly, to protect sites such as air bases, mass threats such as drones, Prowller ammunition (“suicide bomber”), even missiles.
The system has a 40 mm barrel capable of drawing five different types of ammunition, which are automatically chosen depending on the threat, says such. This choice is made with each blow and allows the trajectories to be recalculated in real time, it is specified in KNDS.
Knds highlights the possibility of “frustrating drone swarms”, thanks to the contribution of artificial intelligence.
Manufacturers specify that this system is very automated and that its implementation requires only two operators: for commitment and shot orders. While it is reassuring: “It is always the human who will decide whether to shoot or not.”
An already operational system
The Rapidfire is already operational in the French Navy, two copies have already been integrated into a fleet ship, the Jacques Chevallier de Force Builer Building (BRF), which accompanies the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier within the Aeronaval Group. The system was declared operational in early 2025. Two other systems will be integrated into another BRF and a fifth will be installed in a high quality patrolman, Thales said in a press release.
The General Directorate of Armament has already approved a contract for the production of 48 copies. Of these 48 copies, 14 are intended for the French Navy, the rest has not yet been granted, it could be that some copies are attributed to the air and spatial army. “We base a lot of hopes,” we could hear from the industrial side.
Source: BFM TV
