| 40CTC | |
|---|---|
 40CTC of a British Ajax armoured fighting vehicle | |
| Type | Cased telescoped autocannon |
| Place of origin |  France United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2022–present |
| Used by | British Army French Armed Forces |
| Production history | |
| Designer | CTA International |
| Designed | 1997 onwards |
| Manufacturer | CTA International |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 340 kg (750 lb) |
| Length | 3,428 mm (11 ft 3.0 in) |
| Barrel length | 2,800 mm (110 in) |
| Cartridge | 40×255 mm |
| Caliber | 40 mm |
| Action | Recoil-operated, rotating breech |
| Rate of fire | 200 rpm |
| Effective firing range | 2,500 m (8,200 ft) (4,000 m (13,000 ft) for RapidFire) |
| Maximum firing range | 8,500 m[1] |
| Feed system | Automatic Ammunition Handling System (AHS) |
The 40CTC (40 mm Cased Telescoped Cannon) is a 40 mm autocannon and the central component of the Franco-British 40CTAS (40 mm Cased Telescoped Armament System) developed by CTA International. It is designed to fire 40mm telescoped ammunition.[2] This format provides significant benefit within vehicles in the space envelope required for the gun and the ammunition storage.[3] However, the selection of the unfielded, thus unproven, new design for major French and British programmes was controversial.[4][5]
The 40CTAS has been ordered by the French Army for use on its future EBRC Jaguar armoured reconnaissance vehicle. The latter entered service in February 2022. It has also been mandated for the UK Ajax (formerly FRES SV) and (cancelled) Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (WCSP) programmes.
In February 2010, CTA International signed a £11m contract with the French and British defence ministries to qualify the 40CT; this included environmental testing and the firing of 15,000 rounds.[6] The company has confirmed that the ammunition for the British weapons will be assembled by BAE Systems at the ROF Glascoed facility.[7]
- ^ "40 CTAS Brochure A5 Sept 2018.pdf"
- ^ "NEXTER Group - CTA International achieves Anglo-French qualification for the 40mm Cased Telescoped Cannon and Ammunition". Archived from the original on 28 May 2019.
- ^ "CTWS" - Deagel
- ^ "The 40mm Cased Telescoped Armament System (CTAS)". 8 December 2015.
- ^ "New 40mm cannon system handed over to British Army".
- ^ "WCSP: Britain’s Warriors to Undergo Mid-Life Upgrade" - Defense Industry Daily
- ^ "DefenceNews France, U.K. To Qualify New Cannon". Archived from the original on 12 November 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2019.