Leonardo has begun production of the Lionfish 30 artillery system.
The first Lionfish 30 production unit will be unveiled at Seafuture 2025.
Several years ago, the Italian company Leonardo SpA presented a project for a promising ship artillery The Lionfish 30 system has been developed. The project has since completed all necessary stages, and the new product is now ready for mass production. The developer is introducing it to the international market and is awaiting orders.
Way to the market
Since 2020, Leonardo Defence has introduced several remotely controlled weapon stations (RCWS) under the name Lionfish (the English name for a scorpionfish). The first in this family was a lightweight weapon station armed with a heavy machine gun, followed by the development of RCWSs carrying small-caliber artillery.
In 2023, the Lionfish 30 combat module/artillery mount was first unveiled at a European exhibition. This was a fairly large product, complete with all necessary equipment, designed for mounting on surface platforms.
The Lionfish-30 project was developed virtually from scratch, incorporating extensive new components. For example, original hull designs and associated mechanisms were created for this system. It was equipped with a new 30mm X-Gun automatic cannon and a specially designed autoloader. A new fire control system based on artificial intelligence was also proposed.
General view of the installation
The Lionfish 30 mount was proposed for installation on various surface platforms—warships and boats. It is intended to enhance the air defense of ships and detachments. The mount's primary purpose is considered to be combating small, maneuvering aerial targets. The 30mm cannon is intended to engage light and medium unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as high-precision weapons. weapon.
Mass production
Leonardo subsequently showcased all Lionfish products at various exhibitions to attract potential customers. The modules were once again showcased at the Seafuture 2025 exhibition, which opened on September 29 at the Spezia naval base in Italy.
At this event, Leonardo announced the completion of the development and testing of the Lionfish 30 system, as well as the start of production. The first production model, recently completed, was on display.
The Italian Navy is the first customer for the Lionfish 30 system. Under the existing contract, the system will be delivered by the end of the year. the fleet Two such devices will be delivered. They will be installed on the OPV/PPX patrol vessels currently under construction. The lead pennant of this type is scheduled to enter service with the Navy in 2027.
Production will continue. According to preliminary agreements, Lionfish-30 modules will be installed on several new ship types. They will eventually become the primary small-caliber artillery weapon of the Italian Navy, giving the ships new capabilities against a range of specific targets.
The left compartment of the installation, which contains ammunition
At a recent exhibition, Leonardo Defence also announced its first export contracts. Countries in Central America and North Africa have ordered the new type of system. A contract with a Middle Eastern customer is also being prepared. Unfortunately, the company is not yet able to disclose the buyers or details of the contracts.
Technical features
The Lionfish 30 naval gun mount is designed as a medium-sized module housing all major units and components. This system can be mounted on the carrier's deck and does not require extensive space requirements.
The hull of the mount has a U-shaped design. A swinging part containing the gun is suspended between the side units. The shape of the units reduces radar signature. The hull is assembled from panels of varying shapes, installed at an angle to each other. Hatches are provided in the sides of the hull for access to the internal units. The swinging part containing the gun has its own pyramid-shaped casing.
The module has an electric aiming system. Horizontal aiming ranges from 155° left and right of the longitudinal axis. Vertical aiming ranges from -20° to +70°. High movement speeds are achieved for the entire module and the oscillating part.
The module's dimensions are not specified. Its height, width, and length (excluding the barrel) likely do not exceed 2-2,2 meters. Its weight without ammunition is 1450 kg.
30mm X-Gun cannon on a test bench
The artillery system also includes a control station. It is designed as an automated workstation with monitors and controls. The station must be mounted in the appropriate areas of the carrier.
The Lionfire 30 module is equipped with the X-Gun automatic cannon. This is a 30mm rifled weapon with an external automatic drive, firing 30x173mm single-shot ammunition. The weapon has a 90-caliber barrel with a muzzle brake and projectile velocity sensor. The assembled weapon weighs 173 kg.
The breech contains an electric motor and a special drum with a guide groove, which controls the reciprocating motion of the bolt. Firing is accomplished by engaging the electric motor. It also regulates the rate of fire, which can reach 200 rounds per minute.
The cannon can fire standard rounds with a variety of projectiles—high-explosive fragmentation, armor-piercing, and practical rounds, among others. For counter-UAV missions, Leonardo is focusing on fragmentation munitions with programmable fuses, which should increase the probability of hitting targets. Leonardo is currently developing its own projectile of this type in collaboration with KNDS Ammo Italу.
The mount's ammunition complement consists of 200 rounds of one or two types. The ammunition belts are stored in two drawers on the left side of the mount. Selective feeding is provided.
X-Gun and projectile handling equipment
The roof of the combat module houses a Leonardo Janus-D optical-electronic station, which serves as the primary target acquisition and guidance system. Video feeds from the camera and thermal imager, as well as data from the rangefinder, are fed to the fire control computer, which is equipped with specialized AI-based software. The gun's breech contains a programmer for operating the projectile fuses.
The AI is said to be capable of analyzing video signals and automatically detecting dangerous objects. It also evaluates detected targets, determines their danger, and calculates the engagement sequence. The AI-powered fire control system then fires automatically or semiautomatically.
Depending on the time of day and other factors, the Janus-D OES detects aerial targets at ranges of up to 9-9,5 km. The infrared camera has a maximum range of 12 km. Fire is initiated at the gun's effective range of 3-3,5 km.
New challenges and new technologies
In terms of its overall appearance, tactical and technical characteristics, and core capabilities, the Leonardo Lionfish 30 artillery system is fundamentally no different from other modern small-caliber systems. However, its developer took the current situation and new challenges into account when developing it.
Like other units with similar characteristics, the Lionfish 30 is offered primarily as a system Defense near-field. At the same time, Leonardo has placed emphasis on combating unmanned aerial vehicles. aviation and precision weapons.
OPV patrol vessel with Lionfish 30 mount (front of superstructure)
The new X-Gun cannon is used to address this challenge. It boasts superior performance characteristics, suited to the specifics of engaging small targets. Furthermore, new 30mm projectiles with a programmable fuse are being developed for the cannon, which should improve its effectiveness.
The new fire control system is expected to make a significant contribution to overall effectiveness. Like existing systems, it will perform target acquisition, calculate firing data, and directly control the combat module. Artificial intelligence is also announced for use, enabling it to quickly assess the situation, determine the threat posed by targets, and so on.
The developer reports that the Lionfish 30 system recently completed all required tests and demonstrated its capabilities. However, for obvious reasons, detailed information about these events is being withheld. Therefore, it remains unclear to what extent the advertised information about the combat module corresponds to its actual capabilities.
It's easy to see that the Lionfish-30 project is highly innovative. The combat module is built with a new weapon and a unique fire control system. All of these systems are complex and required extensive design development. It's unclear whether all the flaws, primarily software-related, were identified and corrected.
At the start of production
Nevertheless, Leonardo Defence believes that the Lionfish 30 has passed the tests and fully meets the requirements. It has now entered serial production, and the first unit is ready. It will be delivered to the customer within the next few months.
The developer already has orders for a number of new systems to the Italian Navy and at least three foreign countries. More contracts are likely to be placed in the near future, and the Lionfish 30 will enter large-scale production. Whether this system will meet customer expectations remains to be seen.
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