GERRARDS CROSS, England, April 11 (UPI) -- The British Army's newest armored fighting vehicle has successfully conducted the first live firing test of its main 40mm stabilized cannon and machine gun.
The Scout SV, which will be renamed as the Ajax when it comes into service, is being developed by General Dynamics UK. It will come in six variants and will repace the British Army's Scimitar.
"This a great achievement for the program," Senior Requirements manager for the AJAX Program, Lt. Col. David Cathro was quoted by British Force News. "The challenges in getting to this point should not be underestimated and today [Friday] is the result of a lot of hard work.
"Seeing the firings today gives us confidence that the Army will receive this battle-winning and transformational capability on time and to budget."
The test occurred at a firing range in Wales. It was a static test that used a variety of instrumentation to record all aspects of the firing -- from recoil and blast stresses to fall of the shot. Another static test is slated for later this year, with manned firing scheduled for next year.
The Ajax will feature 360-degree thermal and visual driving cameras and have a laser detection ability, It will have a top speed of 43 miles per hour.
The vehicle will be fully digitized, with all crew members in the vehicle able to share its camera capabilities.
The British Ministry of Defense has ordered 589 of the vehicles. Deliveries are to begin in 2017.
