According to a press release from the French arms concern Nexter, the 155-mm high-precision ammunition "Katana" (KATANA) has completed its first successful test firing. The test campaign took place from December 7 to 11, 2020 in the north of Sweden, at the Vidsel testsite. According to the manufacturer, the artillery ammunition successfully demonstrated its ability to fly in a controlled manner.
155 mm CAESAR self-propelled gun
Test firing was performed from a 155-mm CAESAR gunmounted on a carriage of the same manufacturer, Nexter. The maneuverability of a high-precision munition is provided by a control system made according to the "duck" scheme (Canard Actuation Systems, CAS). The achieved controllability along the flight path made it possible to increase the firing range compared to a purely ballistic trajectory. Nexter Munitions specialists have confirmed the reliability of the selected control scheme even in extreme weather conditions. The next test firing is scheduled for 2021 and will include firing at coordinates. The manufacturer assumes that the ammunition will be ready for sale by 2023.
According to media reports, the French Armed Forces, participating in the operation in Iraq in 2016 against ISIL (IG – a terrorist organization banned in the Russian Federation), found a gap in the capabilities of high-precision fire of their own artillery. For a quick and accurate defeat of the explored positions of the artillery and mortars of the IG on improvised "self-propelled" carriages (the IG captured a significant number of guns and ammunition of the Iraqi Armed Forces), we had to rely on the support of the US army. At the same time, to overcome this shortcoming, Paris refused to purchase high-precision ammunition available on the market and chose the path of its own development.
High-precision ammunition "Katana»
155-mm high-precision ammunition "Katana»
The Katana munition, formerly also known as the Menhir, is a 155-mm round designed for firing from all common artillery systems with a barrel length of 52 calibers. Thanks to intelligent control, the firing range has increased to 60 km, while increasing the accuracy of the hit.
Nexter started its self-funded development in 2014. For the first time, the concept was presented at the Eurosatory 2016 exhibition under the code "Menhir". In December 2020, the first test shots were fired with the KATANA Mk 1 projectile.
It is expected that due to the combination of long range, accuracy and high final effect of a special warhead, the Katana will be able to hit priority targets by coordinates in difficult conditions. The shooting accuracy is based on a hybrid (satellite + inertial navigation) control system. According to reports, to further enhance its performance, the Katana Mk 2 projectile will be equipped with a semi-active laser homing head (SAL) from 2028. According to Nexter, the circular probable deviation at the maximum range does not exceed 10 m. The maximum range reaches 60 km. The high-Explosive Explosive Munition (HE‐IM) has a mass of 6 kg. The length of the projectile is less than one meter.
Based on the materials of the resource soldat-und-technik.de