Simmel Difesa, part of Nexter Arrowtech, presents the fuse FOX, the acronym for Fuze with multi-Option of neXter arrowtech, designed for 105 mm and 155 mm artillery rounds.

Nexter Arrowtech developed FOX to provide users with four mode options in order to optimize the terminal effect, when using high explosive (HE) projectiles. 

The main novelty comes in the proximity mode, as the FOX does not use the typical CW (Curtiss-Wright) proximity sensor, which is only able to detonate the round under a certain height. Instead, it features a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) sensor, which is in fact a miniaturized radar, that is able to measure the distance allowing low, medium, and high detonation, 6, 12, and 18 meters respectively depending on the type of target and the area that must be covered. 

Also read: Ukraine | Proven use of Top Attack BONUS 155 mm artillery shells – Photos

These heights can be tailored to customers’ needs. In addition, the FMCW assures a higher resistance to counter-measures than the standard CW sensor.

The second mode is Point Detonation Super Quick (SQ) which allows detonating the round nearly instantly after impact. To allow the shell to explode inside the target a Delay mode, up to 60 ms with 1 ms increments, is available. To that end, the fuze body as well as all the electronics inside were designed to survive the shock of the impact with the target. 

Finally, a time mode, with a setting between 1 and 199 seconds with 0.1-second increments is available for using the shell in typical air burst mode.

According to the manufacturer, FOX has a mass of 930 grams, 22 of which correspond to an IM-type warhead (Insensitive Munition – i.e. unanticipated stimuli will not produce an explosive yield). A further safety is provided by a venting system that would allow controlled diffusion of pressure and gas should self-ignition take place. 

The FOX fully complies with all NATO-standard 105 mm and 155 mm rounds, as its dimensions follow STANAG 2916. Programming is done by induction, while the new fuze complies with AOP-22 NATO standards.

The system in question is fully developed and successfully tested by environmental tests according to NATO standards and firing can be done by several artillery systems. Industrial qualification is expected to be completed by year-end.

Also read: DEFEA 2023 | Nexter presents different versions of VBCI PHILOCTETES