Two new turrets were highlighted by Leonardo at Eurosatory this month: Hitfist UL (Unmanned Light), mounting a 30x173mm X-Gun, and Hitrole C-UAS, sporting a 30×113 Blaze.
The Hitfist UL was seen on the IDV CL2X, the UGV the company unveiled at the show. The turret is the same as will be fitted to the VBA 8×8 amphibian for the Italian Army and Navy, according to the company, and development with this requirement in mind has led to a lower-weight system – under 1.5 tonnes. Lethality is nonetheless considerable: 150 ready rounds for the X-Gun are carried in the dual feed system (reloadable under armour), with a coaxial 7.62x51mm machine gun and 12 smoke grenade launchers rounding out the equipment. Two external antitank missile launchers can be fitted for additional punch.
Firepower is provided by the X-Gun, 150 ready rounds being available in the dual-feed system, which can be reloaded from under armour when empty. A 7.62×51 mm machine gun is mounted coaxially over the main weapon, while 12 smoke grenade launchers, six per side, are integrated in the lower part of the turret front armour. Two Janus D stabilised sights provide 360° coverage and the optronic suite is the same as installed in Leonardo’s 2-man Hitfist turrets. When controlled by two operators rather than one, Hitfist UL can be used in hunter-hunter, hunter-killer and killer-killer modes.
The Hitrole C-UAS turret mounts the ITAR-free Blaze 30mm cannon, developed using the same technology as the X-Gun. A new 30x113mm round with a programmable fuze is under development and the turret will contain at least 150 ready rounds. The optronic suite consists of daylight and cooled MWIR cameras, and a laser rangefinder. The turret is to be fitted to the new Italian MBT as a secondary weapon system.
DA Comment
Leonardo has poured a good deal of R&D effort and cold hard cash into developing a line of turrets, RCWS and modern autocannon, as well as associated ammunition, fuzes and sensor solutions. It remains to be seen how the company’s commercial efforts will succeed in ‘marketing the difference’ in an increasingly crowded export market.
Headline image shows the IDV stand at Eurosatory 2026, with the CL2X bearing the Hitfist UL turret front and centre. (IDV)
