RAPIDFire: Revolutionizing Self-Defense for the French Navy and Beyond
Fourteen RAPIDFire systems have been officially ordered by the French DGA, with two already active aboard the Jacques Chevallier Fleet Replenishment Ship, following successful extended Carrier Strike Group deployments and live-fire exercises. Two additional systems have been added to the Jacques Stosskopf (BRF2) for its imminent deployment, and a fifth will soon be fitted on a next-generation offshore patrol vessel.
Developed by Thales and KNDS France, RAPIDFire is the first remotely operated turret to integrate the CT40 cannon, firing advanced 40mm telescoped ammunition. With 140 ready-to-fire rounds and an intelligent fire control system, RAPIDFire can engage a broad range of modern threats — from drones and loitering munitions to helicopters, aircraft, missiles, and fast-attack craft — up to 4 km away.
Designed for versatility, RAPIDFire will soon be fielded in land-based configurations, including semi-mobile ground setups and vehicle-mounted units, to defend critical assets and airbases globally.
Central to the system’s future capability is the A3B airburst round, which will enable advanced anti-air operations by 2027. A development and procurement contract for these rounds was finalized in late 2024, ensuring the system’s continued evolution.
