French DGA Awards KNDS Contract to develop 155mm “KATANA” Guided Ammunition

The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has funded the development of the KATANA 155mm guided artillery ammunition being developed by KNDS.

The KATANA meets the present need for high-precision artillery ammunition in both low and high intensity warfare: its performance limits collateral damage in urban areas and enables dealing more effectively with high value targets such as artillery systems, radars or command posts.

The modular design of KATANA means that it can evolve to integrate new technologies as soon as they are available and besides its modularity means that local components can be integrated as part of a production transfer, making it easy to export.

During recent firing campaigns, KATANA demonstrated accuracy of just a few metres, thanks  to a global navigation satellite system coupled with an inertial unit. With the support of the French DGA, evaluation of the ammunition's ability to withstand various forms of jamming began in 2024.

The ammunition is armed with a multi-mode fuse that modulates the terminal effects according to the target and its level of protection. These capabilities mean that the ammunition has to incorporate high-performance electronics designed to withstand extreme acceleration and shock.

The KATANA can now be fired at full charge, enabling it to achieve the maximum range of a 155mm 52-calibre gun like the CAESAR.

The KATANA ammunition is currently at the demonstrator level and will be offered for sale within the next two years.