Leonardo launched two new turrets at the Seafuture exhibition, held at La Spezia Naval Base from 5 to 8 June 2023. The Lionfish 30 naval turret and Hitfist 30 UL (Unmanned Light) turret for land platforms are both remote-controlled turrets that integrate the new 30 mm X-Gun: an ITAR-free, electrically powered weapon incorporating innovative, patented technologies that Leonardo has developed in house.
The Lionfish 30 joins Leonardo’s range of small-calibre Lionfish products, which includes the 12.7 mm Ultralight, Inner Reloading and Top models as well as a 20 mm version.
“The Lionfish 30’s compact and lightweight design allows for installation on small platforms, enabling protection from all types of asymmetric threat, including drones and helicopters, within complex scenarios with multiple targets,” Leonardo stated in a press release. “This capability is driven by sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that perform contextual analysis and optimise engagement against multiple simultaneous threats.”
Other distinctive features of the Lionfish 30 include a fast rate of fire (with a burst mode configurable up to 200 rounds per minute), an effective range of 3,500 m and the ability to use Advanced Hit Efficiency And Destruction (AHEAD) airburst ammunition, which is designed to be more effective against aerial threats such as mini- and micro-unmanned aerial vehicles. The system shares a number of features with other Lionfish family models, including its mechanical and electrical architecture, as well as its ability to be controlled remotely via a high-resolution local console. Leonardo also states that the system is easy to use and maintain. The new turret is also equipped with an electro-optical suite that enables 360° surveillance and tracking.
The Hitfist 30 UL turret, meanwhile, is stated by Leonardo to be more compact and lighter than other Hitfist family variants, allowing it to be installed on vehicles with stringent weight restrictions such as amphibious AFVs. Like the Lionfish 30, the Hitfist 30 UL also fires airburst ammunition for maximum effectiveness against asymmetrical threats. It also has a coaxially mounted 7.62 mm machine gun as a secondary armament.
According to Leonardo product specifications, the Hitfist 30 UL can operate either in ‘hunter-killer’ or in ‘killer-killer’ (firing from panoramic sight) modes through the use of an aiming sight and a panoramic sight, which are both fully stabilized in elevation and azimuth and provided with a day camera, a thermal night camera and a laser rangefinder. The Hitfist 30 UL is managed by either one or two stations (depending on configuration), which include a display and two joysticks that allow complete control of the turret with both sighting systems.
The Hitfist 30 UL is stated to have a maximum rate of fire of 200 rounds per minute and an effective range of 3,000 m.
“Leonardo has designed these new defence systems for use in modern, continuously evolving operational scenarios where threats, especially from the air, are becoming increasingly complex,” the company stated. “The new models join a portfolio that includes the best-selling 76/62 Super Rapido and 127/64 Light Weight Vulcano guns for the naval domain and the 105/120 Hitfact and 25/30 Hitfist turrets for the land domain, which are in service with dozens of countries worldwide.”
Peter Felstead
