At the Singapore Airshow 2026 ST Engineering and Leonardo are presenting a new integrated solution in the land defence system domain to jointly meet multiple emerging regional and global market requirements. A Terrex 8X8 infantry fighting vehicle is on display at the ST Engineering exposition area, featuring a Leonardo latest generation X-Gun 30mm automatic cannon embedded in the vehicle’s turret.
At its public premiere in Asia, the XGUN represents a cutting-edge, ITAR-free, electric-powered weapon system completely developed by Leonardo, for integration onto both land and naval platforms, utilizing innovative and patented technologies to counter both legacy and emerging threats such as UAS and drones.
The X-Gun is a small-caliber gun with external automatic actuation, designed to engage land, surface, and air targets at distances of up to several kilometers. The design of the gun incorporates several interesting technical solutions that improve its key performance characteristics.
The weapon has a 30 mm rifled barrel, 90 calibers long, with a well-developed muzzle brake. The oblong receiver houses the sliding shutter, its drive and the shutter release mechanism. An externally mounted device feeds ammunition from two boxes. The overall length of the weapon does not exceed 3.6 meters, with a maximum diameter of 431 x 465 mm. The body of the weapon weighs 173 kg.
The automatic system of the weapon is driven by an electric motor. It rotates a special drum with a guide groove, which drives the reciprocating movement of the shutter. In the most forward position, the bolt rotates and locks into place on six lugs. Thanks to the electric drive, the rate of fire reaches 200 rounds per minute. The control system allows you to fire single shots, multiple bursts or continuous fire.
The X-Gun cannon is equipped with ammo boxes of the required capacity. Fire 30 rounds from 173 mm. Two ammunition feeding systems have been developed: belt and connectionless. The system allows the feeding of two types of shells, with quick switching between them.
Together with KNDS Ammo Italy (formerly Nexter Arrowtech), a high-explosive fragmentation projectile with programmable fuze is being developed. To use it, the weapon will be equipped with additional electronic devices. This ammunition should significantly improve firepower against a wide range of targets.
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