Following the Thunderbolt 40/70 T naval gun revealed in SAHA EXPO 2022, this year's SAHA EXPO was a scene to the single-barreled lighter version.
Turkish Defence company SAVER is developing the Thunderbolt family of 40 mm L70 naval guns for various Turkish Navy platforms, including fast attack craft and patrol vessels.
The first member of the family, Thunderbolt 40/70 T, is a counterpart to the Italian DARDO dual-purpose naval gun in use with the Kılıç-class fast-attack craft. The cupola features a more angled design to reduce radar cross section (RCS). The rate of fire is 2x300 RPM with two naval guns.
Ammunition is fed from an under-deck magazine providing 672+64 (Reserve+Ready) rounds capacity.
The smaller variant with only one gun, 40/70 SB, is aimed towards small vessels and Coast Guard ships as a lighter, easier-to-integrate solution. This is because the weapon holds all of the ammunition inside the turret instead of going under the deck for reserve ammunition. Due to a smaller turret and onboard ammunition carriage, the capacity is lower at 80 rounds.
SAVER works with ASELSAN for ATOM airburst ammunition in a 40 mm Bofors package and HAVELSAN to integrate the Thunderbolt 40/70 family with combat management systems.
The firm also intends to develop a land-based variant of Thunderbolt 40/70 SB on a truck to provide air defence and fire support. BAE Systems previously revealed a similar concept with the truck-based Bofors 40 Mk4 with an electro-optical system for multi-role use.
