LIONFISH: Leonardo expands its family of modular turrets for naval defence

Leonardo is also a global leader in the design, development and production of naval defence systems, including the best-selling 76/62 Super Rapido in various configurations and the 127/64 Light Weight naval gun with Vulcano ammunition integration capability. With its latest addition, the LIONFISH® family, Leonardo consolidates its leading role in the small- and medium-calibre segment.

The LIONFISH® family was designed to meet the ever-growing demand for light multi-role solutions for patrol, protection and defence of installations. To fulfil different operational requirements, the family comprises three 12.7 mm turrets (Ultralight, Inner Reloading and Top), the 20 mm LIONFISH® 20 and the 30 mm LIONFISH® 30.

Standard features across the family are modularity, a minimum need for maintenance, and intuitive use, which greatly reduce training requirements and help minimise lifecycle costs.

All the turrets are easy to install, even on smaller vessels, because they do not require bridge modifications and they ensure high precision target engagement, even in poor sea weather conditions, thanks to complete stabilisation in elevation and azimuth. Each turret can calculate the firing solution independently and comes with a coaxial electro-optical unit with a high-definition daylight camera, infrared camera and laser rangefinder for target tracking. The 12.7 and 20 mm systems feature Leonardo-manufactured and developed Mini Colibrì optics, which can integrate either a better-performing cooled infrared sensor that can sight and identify a threat at a greater distance or a cheaper uncooled infrared sensor.

Depending on the sensor, the detection range can be up to 12 km, with identification between 3.3 and 2.7 km.

With a weight of less than 180 kg, the Ultralight turret is the lightest in the family. It has minimal impact on the platform on which it is installed and has an elevation range of -20° to +70°, allowing it to engage surface targets, drones and helicopters. LIONFISH® Ultralight can also be used on land vehicles or installations and on vessels weighing less than 10 tonnes. This model has also already been successfully tested on several uncrewed vessels.

Weighing less than 215 kg, the Inner Reloading turret features a stealth cover that provides more protection from environmental agents and makes the turret harder for enemy radar to detect. It, too, can be integrated into land vehicles and installations.

Lionfish Inner Reloading

The Top turret weighs less than 300 kg and is the best performing of the family. It offers complete coverage and boasts a high level of stealth, plus the best cooled IR optics. It differs in that, by offering a maximum depression range of up to -30°, it can even engage emerging threats that get close to the hull.

Lionfish Top

The 20mm model weighs less than 450 kg and features a high rate of fire and a long operating range.

The latest addition to the family, the LIONFISH® 30, is extremely compact and light. It comes with the new electrically powered LIONFISH® 30mm X-GUN. The latter, developed in-house and ITAR-free, is able to use new-concept high-efficiency air burst ammunition with preformed fragmentation which is designed to be more effective against aerial threats such as mini and micro-sized drones. The use of artificial intelligence optimises its simultaneous engagement of multiple threats. The turret also features a high firing rate and a high operating range.

Lionfish 30

All the turrets share a basic architecture and the same support components for below-deck installation, starting from the control console with a 17" touchscreen and two multi-function joysticks for complete remote control.

Console e joystick