Leonardo presents new X-Gun small caliber cannons

In response to the growing demand for advanced defence technologies, in the second half of April the Italian arms company Leonardo presented his latest achievements to armed journalists from many countries: the X-Gun 30 mm automatic cannon and the Lionfish modular weapon system. The presentation took place in Leonardo's facilities in Brescia, which celebrated the century of existence, formerly known as Breda Meccanica Bresciana.

First, it's worth it. remind that Leonardo is already present in the Polish armed forces and the arms industry. The artillery systems of this company are in use on board the ORP Slązak (armata 76 mm Super Rapid L/62 and two systems of the Marlin-WS type 30 mm type), and indirectly on board both frigates of the Olivier Hazard Perry type (license system Mk75 caliber 76 mm).

The future frigates of the MEASURER will feature an artillery weaponry system with 76.2 mm L/62 Leonardo OTO Super Rapid cannon with Strales package.

Leonardo X-Gun automatic cannon

The X-Gun 30×173 mm automatic cannon was presented together with a multi-barrel Rotation plot Gatling 20 mm and a newly developed 30×113 mm Blaze cannon. It's a breakthrough in small caliber artillery. Leonardo, constantly following the path of innovation, expands his portfolio with solutions from various calibers — 20 to 127 mm — covering both marine and land systems.

^{Multi-bore Rotation plot Gatling 20 mm}

This system is capable of using the entire spectrum of available 30×173 mm caliber ammunition, including newly developed ammunition with an air blast function (MF-ABM). This innovative ammunition, developed in cooperation with KNDS Ammo Italy, is currently at the qualification stage. In addition, the X-Gun system has been integrated into the Lionfish 30 weapons module, designed to meet the growing needs of Marina Militare and be a key element in the upcoming programs for upgrading the armed forces.

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In response to growing operational requirements, the Italian Marina Militare decided to upgrade its remote-controlled weapons stations (RCWS) from 25 mm to the newer 30 mm. As part of this transition, contracts were concluded for the delivery of the first Lionfish 30 arms modules with X-Gun cannons, intended for the new PPX Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). This change is an important step forward in adapting to modern tactical and technological requirements.

In addition, the Royal Canadian Polish Navy (Royal Canadian Navy) also decided to implement the Lionfish 30 system, equipped with an automatic Leonardo X-Gun cannon, as part of its new Canadian Surface Combatant program, which foresees the construction of fifteen new rocket frigates based on the British Type 26 project. This partnership underlines the international nature and trust in Leonardo's technology, which strengthens the position of the Italian concern in the global defence market.

INtegration of Lionfish 30 arms module with X-Gun cannon

The development of the Leonardo X-Gun automatic cannon, which began in 2017 and whose first verification of the concept took place in 2018, contributed significantly to this success. A characteristic element of this innovative cannon is an electrically driven rotor (tornic) whose outer cams are profiled in the shape of the X-shaped. This project, led by Mattia Forcina, head of arms department, along with his team, introduces Leonardo to new paths in the field of weapons technology, where innovation meets functionality.

During the presentation, engineer Forcina stressed: "The technology we are presenting today is Leonardo’s exclusive property. This gives us full control of intellectual property rights (IPR) and independence from international regulations such as the American ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations). This allows Leonardo to offer its systems on a large scale, without export restrictions, which is crucial for building and maintaining international defence alliances.

^{Leonardo X-Gun automatic cannon}

From a strategic perspective, Leonardo successfully introduces innovations that not only meet current requirements but also anticipate future defensive challenges, strengthening its position as a leader in military technology.

During the presentation to the media, attention was paid to the unique structural element of the X-Gun automatic cannons – a drum with a camera, whose appearance resembles a cross and which inspired the system's name. Demonstration of shooting capabilities in 2019 revealed an impressive speed of practical system, reaching 200 rounds per minute. In the following years, the work on the system was intensified, resulting in the freezing of assembly plate configuration and the development of advanced prototypes of the power and control system from 2021 to 2020. This resulted in the production of the first prototypes (SN 01, 02, and 03) in 2023.

The introduction of design and technological innovation was crucial for the successful conduct of a long and complex development and qualification process, which was possible thanks to the company's financial commitment. Currently, Italian is expected Polish Navy fund further stages of X-Gun cannon qualification and Lionfish 30 system development.

Read about Italian artillery Leonardo for frigate MEASURANT

Mattia Forcina, head of defense mechanical engineering, announced the completion of the industrial qualification phase of the X-Gun automatic cannon, while also paying attention to ongoing environmental assessment procedures and standards of STANAG 4516 to be completed by the end of 2024. Obtaining certificates is crucial for fully confirming the compliance of the system with stringent military standards. Forcina stressed that the X-Gun cannon reached the level of technological readiness TRL 6 and is on track to reach the next level, which increases the certainty of the company in the context of accepting new orders.

^{Leonardo X-Gun 30 mm automatic cannon during tests in the underground shooting range of the Brescia plant}

As part of its development activities, Leonardo is actively working on a new mount for the Lionfish 30 module, whose prototype presentation is scheduled for the beginning of next year. These innovations demonstrate not only the technological maturity of Leonardo's projects, but also their compliance with the operational requirements of the modern armed forces, which confirms the company's position as a leader in modern weapons systems.

Further innovation and global expansion of Leonardo weapons systems

The production of key components of Leonardo's new weapon system, including the X-Gun barrel, takes place at the company's La Spezia plant. The installation of Lionfish 30 marine modules is planned in Brescia, where components are delivered from different locations of the country within the company's optimized supply chain. Thanks to its modern logistics structure, Leonardo maintains the ability to adapt production quickly, which is crucial in increasing demand for modern defence systems.

The X-Gun automatic cannon, which is the result of long-term research and development, meets the highest global defence standards, including NATO's STAG 4624 requirements. The key technological element that distinguishes X-Gun from competition is its heart — an electrically driven drum cam, enabling all operations to be performed to operate in three turns. This solution minimizes the number of moving parts, which significantly increases the reliability of this cannon.

In addition, the 2700 mm barrel of cannon is reflated, which guarantees better cooling and performance during intensive operation. The lateral dual injection mechanism ensures continuous and effective operation. Thanks to innovative design solutions, the system maintains over 80% of common spare parts for different configurations, making logistics and service much easier. X-Gun also has advanced shooting features, such as sniper mode, which allows precise shots thanks to the pre-loading of the cartridge and minimising delays and vibrations.

The first cartridge selection function allows immediate use of selected ammunition, which is crucial in dynamic combat conditions. During recent tests, journalists had the opportunity to observe X-Gun's operation during live shootings, which further confirmed the advanced and efficient mechanical defense systems of a small caliber.

As part of the development of its X-Gun automatic cannon, Leonardo established cooperation with KNDS Ammo Italy (formerly SIMMEL Difesa), with the aim of improving the system's capability to combat unmanned aircraft (C-UAS), especially mini and micro drones. The central element of this project is the MF-ABM ammunition, equipped with a dedicated programmer, which allows precise programming of the detonation moment thanks to the advanced time delay fuse. This fuse, installed directly in the barrel of the cannon, integrates advanced technologies to enable the use of missile flight time data supplied by the fire control system (FCS).

Leonardo stresses that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the X-Gun Lionfish 30 FCS system allows the full use of a comprehensive database of unmanned aircraft (UAS). AI algorithms, which are an integral part of the developed Decision Support System (DSS), not only improve the identification and tracking of targets, but also allow for dynamic adaptation of firing parameters depending on changing operating conditions.

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The innovation of the detonator developed by KNDS Ammo Italy is also manifested in its ability to collect real-time missile speed data. This possibility is provided by two contactless passive induction coils placed in the outlet brake of the cannon. Such a solution significantly increases the system's resilience to interference, both non-intendent, resulting from electronic interactions with on-board systems and intentional interference, which is crucial in terrestrial scenarios. All these technologies consist of a system that not only enhances the safety of operations, but also the efficiency in neutralising air threats.

Leonardo introduced a new type of ammunition, specifically designed to increase effectiveness in combating unmanned aircraft (UAS). This ammunition, marked as Multi Fragmentation – Air Burst Munition (MF-ABM), stands out for its unique design. It uses high-quality steel balls that form cones for proper mass fragmentation. In addition, the cylindrical steel shell housing generates side fragments moving towards the target, creating a wider angle of fire cone, which increases the probability of hitting.

The advanced time delay fuse system, developed in collaboration with KNDS Ammo Italy, allows precise detonation at the most critical moment, which significantly strengthens defense against air threats. The detonator, intelligently controlled by data from the fire control system (FCS), also allows the use of ammunition in point detonation mode (PD), activated directly when contacting the target.

^{Future Lionfish arms modules for Marine Military and Royal Canadian Navy ships}

Nowa amunicja MF-ABM zostanie poddana testom przed końcem bieżącego roku, co zakończy jej fazę rozwojową. Pełne kwalifikacje planowane są na rok 2025. Ta faza testowa jest kluczowa do potwierdzenia efektywności i bezpieczeństwa oferowanego przez nowy typ amunicji.

Moduł uzbrojenia Lionfish 30 został zaprezentowany jako część rozległej gamy produktów LIONFISH firmy Leonardo, która obejmuje systemy uzbrojenia o kalibrach od ultralekkiego 12,7 mm do 20 mm. Nowa wieżyczka łączy sprawdzone rozwiązania techniczne charakterystyczne dla rodziny LIONFISH, oferując kluczowe korzyści, takie jak wspólność komponentów, łatwość konserwacji i logistyki. Jak podkreśla przedstawiciel firmy, Luca Perazzo, wieżyczka ta, ważąca około 1600 kg bez amunicji, została zaprojektowana w taki sposób, aby minimalizować przekrój radarowy dzięki zastosowaniu osłon stealth oraz zoptymalizować wydajność systemu celowania. System celowania stabilizowany jest zarówno w pionie, jak i azymucie przez zaawansowane serwomechanizmy, co zapewnia jego niezawodność i precyzję działania.

Moduł Lionfish 30 w systemach obronnych

Kolejnym etapem w rozwoju systemów obronnych małego kalibru firmy Leonardo jest poszerzenie uniwersalności zastosowań armaty automatycznej Leonardo X-Gun. Zaprojektowana z myślą o zastosowaniu zarówno w operacjach morskich, jak i lądowych, ta armata stanowi kluczowy element nowej linii dwuosobowych systemów wieżowych HITFIST, oraz zdalnie sterowanych HITFIST UL (Uncrewed Light), przeznaczonych dla opancerzonych pojazdów gąsienicowych i kołowych. Te rozwiązania zapewniają znaczne korzyści operacyjne, konserwacyjne i logistyczne, co pozwala im sprostać dynamicznie zmieniającym się wymogom współczesnego pola walki.

Marina Militare zainwestowała również w nowoczesny pojazd opancerzony Iveco Defence Vehicles (IDV) 8×8 VBA, który zostanie wyposażony w bezzałogowy system wieżowy, wykorzystujący automatyczną armatę X-Gun o kalibrze 30 mm. To rozwiązanie nie tylko zwiększa efektywność bojową, ale również usprawnia logistykę i konserwację dzięki modułowej konstrukcji i wspólnym komponentom używanym w różnych systemach uzbrojenia Leonardo.

Wprowadzenie automatycznej aromaty Leonardo X-Gun w połączeniu z systemami wieżowymi HITFIST demonstruje, jak Leonardo adaptuje się do wymagań operacyjnych zarówno lądowych, jak i morskich, umożliwiając integrację tych systemów na różnorodnych platformach. Dzięki temu podejściu firma nie tylko utrzymuje swoją pozycję jako lider w dziedzinie innowacji obronnych, ale również oferuje klientom systemy, które są w stanie sprostać najbardziej wymagającym warunkom operacyjnym. Leonardo kontynuuje rozwój technologiczny, aby zapewnić najwyższą jakość i skuteczność swoich produktów, co jest kluczowe dla współczesnych i przyszłych teatrów działań wojskowych.

Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz