General Dynamics [GD] successfully completed the first live firing test onboard an ARES, a member of the AJAX Armored Fighting Vehicle family, in the United Kingdom (UK), the company said Wednesday.
The firing trials tested the performance of the three weapons that can be mounted on the ARES’ Kongsberg PROTECTOR Remote Weapon System: the General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) and Grenade Machine Gun (GMG). GD highlighted this was the first manned firing test of any AJAX variant.
During the trail at a range in Dorset, England, GD crews fired from within the vehicles to gather data that demonstrates the platform’s ability to accurately and consistently engage specific targets at varying distances, the company said.
GD will next conduct a five-month manned live firing trial of the turreted AJAX variant in 2017. This includes firing of all onboard weapons systems, including the CTA International 40mm cannon.
“The successful conclusion of the initial round of live firing trials is an important step towards delivery of the AJAX fleet,” Lt. Gen. Paul Jaques, Chief of Materiel (Land) for Defence Equipment and Support, said in a statement.
“I look forward to seeing further success in trials before the first of these capable vehicles, which will sit at the heart of the British Army’s two new Strike Brigades, are delivered to the Army next year,” he added.
Kevin Connell, vice president of General Dynamics Land Systems–UK, noted the importance of these first trials.
“These initial manned live firing trials are an important prerequisite to the other AJAX program variant manned trials. Trials such as this demonstrate the step-change in capability that the AJAX Family of Armored Vehicles will provide to the British Army from our first delivery in 2017.”