CMI Defence - Weapon Systems for Light Armoured Vehicles
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Headquartered in Seraing, Belgium, CMI has changed a great deal in the space of a few years, diversifying its activities, extending its services and increasing its structure by purchasing companies with a great deal of potential. Today, CMI is an international group that comprises 27 business units and employs 2,300 people in 18 countries. CMI DEFENCE PRODUCTSCMI Defence specialises in weapon systems for light armoured vehicles and has a 100-year history in the defence industry. A world leader in 90mm calibre gun systems, CMI Defence has recently introduced its CT-CV 105mm weapon system (gun and turret). COCKERILL MK3M-A1 AND CSE 90 TURRETThe Mk3M-A1 is a development of the COCKERILL Mk1, Mk2, and Mk3 90mm low-pressure gun family. More than 2,300 guns of this family are in operation all around the world on various vehicles including ALVIS Scorpion, TEXTRON / CADILLAC GAGE V-150 and V-300, AV-TECHNOLOGY Dragoon, ENGESA Cascavel and Urutu, etc. Light, compact, with a smooth but short recoil, easy and economical to operate and maintain, and capable of firing a wide range of ammunition including APFSDS-T, it has proved to be an ideal weapon for vehicles of 7.5t and above. The COCKERILL Mk3M-A1 90mm gun is either sold independently or incorporated in the CSE 90 turret, a two-man turret of classical architecture especially developed for it. The CSE equipment can be precisely tailored according to the user's requirements and budgetary constraints with electro-mechanical power drives, day/night gunner and commander sights associated to a laser range finder and ballistic computer. 162 CSE 90 turrets have been produced and fielded in Malaysia on the SIBMAS 6x6. COCKERILL MK8 90mm GUN AND LCTS TURRETThe COCKERILL Mk8 is a medium pressure 48.5 cal 90mm gun designed for vehicles in the 10t to 20t class. Firing high efficiency ammunition, it offers performances very close to the 105mm guns fitted on heavier vehicles. It is usually associated to the CMI LCTS 90 turret, a two-man turret that can be equipped with sophisticated equipment, such as:
The LCTS 90 turret / Mk8 gun system is fielded in Qatar and Kuwait and delivered to the Saudi Arabia National Guard under an FMS program. CT-CV WEAPON SYSTEM (105mm)The CT-CV weapon system is designed to meet the present and future requirements of modern armed forces for powerful weapons on light air transportable vehicles. A series of trials and stringent tests have been conducted successfully and final qualification is underway. The turret and gun have been completely developed in-house by CMI thanks to its long standing experience in the design of systems specifically adapted for light and air deployable vehicles. It is a two-man turret armed with the "CV" gun with low recoil force. The system is compatible with all current NATO 105mm ammunition but the barrel has been designed to be able to fire ammunition with higher pressure as well as smart ammunition and guided missiles. With a view to complying with specific requirements from customers, CMI Defence has designed a modular system able to integrate alternative sub-systems. Particular attention has been paid to safety and comfort of the crew. The crew is seated low in the turret to take advantage of the vehicle hull protection. For safety reasons too, the crew and ammunition compartments are independent and separated by a firewall; in addition, crew protection is ensured thanks to a safety fuse plate above the ammunition rack. The system is equipped with an automatic loader which contains 16 rounds in standard configuration and 12 rounds in air-deployable configuration. The system is ready to fire immediately upon leaving the aircraft and is capable of panoramic observation after 15 minutes. The complete system can be prepared in about 4 hours, including the installation of a pintle-mount or RWS and the fitting of add-on armour. The sighting system for both the gunner and the commander consists in two identical displays, one for day vision and the other one for night vision. The gunner's sight with laser range finder is stabilised for firing on the move and at moving targets. A panoramic sight gives the commander observation and hunter killer capabilities. Back up devices are foreseen to allow continued use of the turret in case of loss of electrical power supply. One of most striking features of this new system resides in its BLOS (Beyond Line of Sight) firing capabilities thanks to a 42° gun elevation, adapted to urban and mountainous warfare conditions as well as allowing firing against airborne targets. The CT-CV is definitely the most advanced system available today to serve the needs of modern armed forces. UPGRADING AND UP-GUNNING PACKAGES FOR EXISTING TURRETSCMI Defence also use its experience in turrets and guns for light armoured vehicles to offer up grading / up gunning packages for various existing turrets. As examples, let us mention:
CMI Defence works with all major light vehicle manufacturers.  Contact Details
CMI Defence
134 Voie de l'Ardenne Embourg B-4053 Belgium Tel: +32 4 330 25 39 Fax: +32 4 361 14 57 E-mail: defence@cmigroupe.com URL: www.cmigroupe.com/defence/ |
 Scorpion 90 armed with the Cockerill Mk3M-A1 90mm gun.  SIBMAS, armed with the CSE-90 turret / Cockerill Mk3M 90mm gun.  CT-CV weapon system during trials.  Pandur 6x6 armed with the LCTS-90 turret (Cockerill Mk8 90mm gun).  Piranha II 8x8 armed with the LCTS-90 turret (Cockerill Mk8 90mm gun). |
