2023-04-30 10:40:05
During the Battle of Mosul [2016-17] conducted against the Islamic State, endowed with so-called “leveling” capabilities, it appeared that the French artillerymen of the Wagram detachment, equipped with four CAESAr [Camion équipé d’un système d’artillerie de 155 mm] lacked precision ammunition, unlike their American counterparts. This resulted in a significant consumption of 155 mm shells during counter-battery fire… and therefore in premature wear of the tubes.
Also, for the Army, the issue of precision ammunition is one of its priorities. Indeed, these not only save the potential of guns but also reduce the logistical footprint while limiting the risk of collateral damage, especially in urban areas.
Hence the interest of the Katana shell, unveiled by Nexter during the 2018 edition of EuroSatory, the exhibition dedicated to air-land armament. At the time, it was only a concept, destined to become the next “standard” in artillery.
Thus, the objective was to develop a 155 mm ammunition compatible with all 52 caliber guns and whose guidance towards the target was to be ensured thanks to a hybridization between a GNSS signal receiver [GPS, ndlr] and an inertial measurement unit as well as an optional semi-active laser distance gauge to obtain metric precision. Katana “will offer the best performance in range, accuracy and terminal effect of existing 155mm ammunition”, Nexter assured then.
The development of this new shell required wind tunnel tests in order to validate its guidance function and its ballistic behavior according to different configurations. Then, in December 2020, it was the subject of a “piloted firing” campaign, carried out in Sweden, with a CAESAr. This met Nexter’s expectations since it made it possible to confirm the “maneuverability of the ammunition” as well as the proper functioning of its control surfaces. [CAS – Canard Actuation System].
“We are very proud to have met our ambitious calendar and financial objectives regarding the development of KATANA. We look to the future with confidence and continue to make exceptional efforts so that this 155mm ammunition – which will be sovereign, intelligent and very precise – can be marketed from 2023”, commented, at the time, Dominique Guillet, Director of Munitions of the Nexter group.
Will the bet to put the Katana on the market in 2023 be met, despite the delays due to the covid-19 pandemic and, above all, the supply difficulties for certain electronic components? In the meantime, the test campaigns are continuing and focus on “guided-piloted firing on coordinates”.
And the last one that Nexter has just made in Sweden was a success. “Direct shots of the Katana projectile were organized at the Saab Bofors test center. Their objectives were to check the mechanical strength of the projectiles when fired in several configurations, to acquire statistical data” in order to “prepare the next guided piloted tests. These tests were a success,” the French industrialist recently announced via Twitter.
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