systems, three HE shells, five illumination and smoke rounds, and three precision munitions. In-house technology means all are ‘insensitive means even direct blows are insufficient to trigger their detonation. The BONUS MK.2 and KATANA guided munitions are currently the most innovative solutions. BONUS MK.2 is a fire-and-forget precision guided anti-tank shell intended for long-range engagements – up to 35km for 155/52mm howitzers and 27km for 155/39mm calibres. Each round carries two sensor-fused attack modules, each featuring a shaped charge. Guidance is assured by an IR sensor that teers the projectile overhead an enemy vehicle, each round thus potentially engaging two targets. BONUS MK.2 is already successful, with over 13,000 rounds delivered and more to come. In addition, discussions are in progress to create new variant dedicated to different targets. A new, improved MK.3 version is also being studied, and is expected to bring improvements in targeting and lethality. KATANA is a guided munition with a 6kg warhead for high-value targets, light armoured vehicles, and concrete walls, ideal for asymmetric and urban warfare scenarios. The company suggests that a single round could replace 20-40 rounds expended on a high-value target at a 40km distance. Its lethality radius of some 10-15m makes it an ideal weapon for disrupting an adversary’s strongholds, or to prevent ambushes and stalemates around choke points. Each KATANA comes as a 45.6kg 155mm round featuring an IMU/GNSS guidance system (compatible with both GPS and Galileo), calculator and nose and tail fins. Guidance and steering functions rely on three embedded lithium batteries. The nose is shaped for the addition of an optional laser guidance system. Shock trials conducted in the ONERA wind tunnel demonstrated that, despite the level of sophistication, the round could withstand the 17,000g acceleration typical of western 155/52mm howitzers. The system is undergoing a test and evaluation programme that will further validate the ammunition’s robustness, reliability, and safety. Series production is envisaged starting in 2023. The main competitor is the Raytheon/BAE Systems’ M-982 EXCALIBUR guided artillery shell. Nexter markets KATANA as a unique product with different, fully ballistic inflight behaviour and, as an ITARfree item, it hopes to seduce the growing community of users looking for no-string-attached solutions. The same principles – reducing ammunition expenditure and logistical footprint – are driving development of the new LU-220 155mm HE standard ammunition, currently at TRL-6. The LU-220 will have a 30km Nexter Arrowtech boasts a product range consistent with urgent ammunition requirements, aiming to recover part of the ground lost over the last 15 years. Preparing for High-Intensity Conflict The group’s managing board recognises general demand from the defence industry sector for more consistent, long-term governmental planning in procurement programmes. As far as ammunition is concerned, constant demand over time is considered ideal, rather than huge orders that overstretch production lines, leaving them unused afterward. In terms of products, Nexter Arrowtech is not unprepared, thanks to a solid base of over 60 clients, whose orders have compensated for decades of poor domestic demand. Before 24 February 2022, foreign demand accounted for 60-80% of sales. In addition to a broad portfolio, comprising more than 250 items, the company has new proposals and milestone achievements to speak of. Some of them are group-wide, comprehensive programmes, others stem from each company’s own expertise. In fact, Nexter Munitions specialises in artillery and medium/large calibre rounds, while Belgium’s MECAR is a point of reference for anti-tank technology and mortar systems. In Italy, SIMMEL Difesa has become a leader in fuzes and pyrotechnic materials, also possessing sound knowledge in naval artillery. Nexter Arrowhead dedicates an average 8% of its turnover in R&D every year. In terms of industrial strategy, Nexter Arrowtech is already implementing a modernisation effort based on four pillars: • technology edge over adversaries; • resilience to vertical and horizontal shocks in the marketplace; • adaptability to fluid requirements and shorter innovation loops; • sustainability over time, thanks to long-term production and storage strategies to maintain stockpiles. Optimisation of existing resources, in this sense, would allow for doubling production within a few months if needed. However, for greater long-term orders of magnitude, the strategy needs to be substantiated by a consistent, coherent procurement policy that does not depend only on Nexter. Old Artillery Never Dies… The spearhead of the offer is based on Nexter’s family of 155mm field artillery ammunition. The current portfolio includes three propellant Marco Giulio Barone is a political-military analyst based in Paris, and a regular contributor to Mönch magazines. Marco Giulio Barone Responding to Fire with Fire New Products from Nexter Arrowtech Feature MT 4/2022 · 19 A sampling of the extensive range of artillery ammunition. (All photos: Nexter Arrowtech via author unless otherwise stated)
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