We’re constantly looking for ways to develop our next generation munitions and world-class solutions for our customers. The world that we’re living in, and the threats that our customers are exposed to are becoming increasingly technologically advanced, and the artillery space is no exception.
Our next generation adaptable ammunition is a unique modular artillery product that leverages technological advancements to deliver a step-change in both the range, precision and performance offered over today’s ammunition, whilst making the whole manufacturing process more agile, meaning we can scale production up or down, to meet demand.
This ammunition is customisable, based on tactical requirements, allowing our customer to ‘mix and match’ the various components available. Options available include High Explosive (HE) payloads, delivered through the use of cutting-edge explosive processing techniques; programmable high-performance obscurant or illuminating payloads; and electronic payloads capable of being deployed remotely, with long range capability.
This will initially be available for our 155mm ammunition, extending across a number of other calibres in the near future. Our next generation adaptable ammunition will be available for qualification in 2025, with deliveries planned for 2026 onwards.
As well as changing over to a commercially available grade of steel for our shells – with no loss of performance – we’re also standardising the component parts of our Next Generation Shell Body so they can be manufactured quicker, using non-defence specific manufacturing methods.
This gives us a high degree of agility and ability to surge production, as required.
Our lightweight case ammunition has been proven to out-perform its heavier, brass counterpart. We are currently working on developments that will see the cartridge weight reduced even further, possibly up to 46%, when compared to
We have invested in innovative manufacturing methods, which will provide efficient and cost-effective additional sources of explosives to both the UK and our NATO allies.
This will ease the supply chain constraints that we experience during times of high demand. In addition, we are developing new explosive formulations, which maximise the benefits of this technology.
This allows us to mix explosive formulations that cannot be effectively processed in a traditional way, delivering increased performance.
In addition to this enhanced end effect, mixing times have been reduced by an order of magnitude; what used to be mixed in hours can now be quickly and effectively processed in minutes.
These are manufactured through the mixing of chemical compounds that create a significant reaction. This reaction can then be used to ignite propellant charges.
However, unlike many other products on the market, we’ve developed a lead-free, sustainable product, that we believe is safer for both the user and the environment.
This combines the advantages of our explosives, initiators and mixing technology.
This provides a safer, more reliable alternative to meet our end users’ requirements.
This involves a fully electronic fuze design, for gun-launched munitions. This offers a safety advantage because we remove the need for primary explosives, whilst reducing the potential of misfire.
It’s less complex to manufacture, meaning that we can use a wider supply chain.
