France’s drone-killer gun fires up to take down UAV swarms in seconds

France’s new Rapidfire Land air defense system, developed by Thales and KNDS France in collaboration with the French Air and Space Force, is designed to counter modern aerial threats including drone swarms, light aircraft, helicopters, and rocket, artillery, and mortar (RAM) attacks. Central to the system is a 40mm Cased Telescoped Cannon, originally created for the Jaguar armored vehicle, which can carry 140 ready-to-fire rounds, enabling rapid engagement of multiple targets without reloading. A key upcoming feature is the integration of A3B airburst ammunition, set to become operational by 2027, which explodes mid-air to release tungsten sub-projectiles over a wide area, enhancing effectiveness against small and fast-moving threats. The Rapidfire Land system is semi-automated, requiring only two operators to manage weapon engagement and firing, and includes an advanced fire control system that continuously updates target locations for precise tracking and engagement up to 4 kilometers. It is offered in two