DSEI 2025: New Ajax Blackjax demonstrator shows how British-made IFVs could adapt to the rise of drone warfare.

At DSEI 2025 in London, General Dynamics Land Systems presented the Ajax Blackjax technology demonstrator, a new development within the Ajax tracked vehicle family. The Blackjax is described as a next-generation concept vehicle built around the principle of spiral development, a process intended to progressively introduce capabilities through an iterative cycle of testing, evaluation, and refinement. The aim is to enhance battlefield lethality while maintaining the flexibility to incorporate emerging technologies and adapt to evolving operational concepts.
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The Blackjack demonstrator is equipped with the Modular Integrated Protection System (MIPS), which integrates the Trophy sensor head with Iron Fist interceptors, and features a modified gun mount capable of elevating up to 85 degrees, expanding its potential mission roles beyond conventional ground engagements. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

To this end, the Ajax Blackjax (unofficially called Ajax Blackjack) incorporates composite rubber tracks designed to reduce vibration and noise while improving mobility across diverse terrain types, and it integrates the Modular Integrated Protection System (MIPS), a UK-specific active protection system (APS) that combines Trophy’s sensor suite with Iron Fist interceptors. In addition, its turret has been modified to enable a gun elevation up to approximately 85 degrees, thereby expanding the vehicle’s potential role from ground-focused operations to include applications beyond standard ground engagements. This modified gun mount, in combination with the 40 mm Cased Telescoped Armament System (CTAS) cannon and its programmable airburst ammunition, was noted by observers as allowing the possibility of a short-range air defense role.

In Poland, the Ajax appeared at MSPO 2025 in Kielce, marking the first public display of the platform in that country. General Dynamics Land Systems presented the vehicle to an audience actively pursuing modernization of its tracked armored fleets, including the CBWP heavy infantry fighting vehicle programme. The debut in Poland took place as the British Army had only just begun receiving production Ajax vehicles in January 2025, and while the fleet was still in the early stages of integration into UK force structures. The appearance at MSPO was timed to attract regional stakeholders, particularly at a moment when Poland was considering heavy tracked platforms to complement Abrams main battle tanks.

The Ajax programme itself has a long development history that informs the significance of Blackjax. Based on the ASCOD 2 chassis, it originated in the UK’s Future Rapid Effect System programme of the early 2010s. In 2014, the Ministry of Defence ordered 589 vehicles at a cost of £3.5 billion, with deliveries expected to begin in 2017. However, extensive delays followed due to technical problems, most notably excessive vibration and noise, which led to a halt in trials between 2020 and 2022 and caused health issues among test crews. Deliveries to operational units eventually began in January 2025, more than seven years behind schedule, with Initial Operating Capability planned for late 2025 and Full Operating Capability projected between 2028 and 2029. By April 2025, 100 vehicles had been delivered.

The Ajax family is composed of six variants built on a shared chassis. These include the Ajax reconnaissance vehicle armed with the 40 mm CTAS cannon, the Ares armored personnel carrier, the Athena command vehicle, the Atlas armored recovery vehicle, the Apollo armored repair vehicle, and the Argus engineering reconnaissance vehicle. Of the 589 ordered, 245 were Ajax reconnaissance variants, 93 Ares, 112 Athena, 38 Atlas, 50 Apollo, and 51 Argus. The reconnaissance variant mounts the CTAS cannon, a 7.62 mm coaxial chain gun, and has tested a Kongsberg Protector remote weapon station with a general-purpose machine gun and Javelin anti-tank missile. The platform has a baseline weight of 38 tonnes with growth potential to 42 tonnes through modular armor kits, is powered by an 800 hp MTU V8 diesel engine with a RENK HSWL 256B transmission, reaches a maximum speed of 70 km/h, and has a range of approximately 500 km. Crew capacity is typically three for the Ajax variant, with the Ares configured for two crew plus four passengers.

Electronics and networking are central to the Ajax design. The platform features a 20 Gbit/s Ethernet backbone capable of processing and storing up to six terabytes of data, which can be distributed through the integrated Bowman communication system. It includes sensors for automated detection, search, and tracking, and can operate these systems while stationary using a silent auxiliary power unit. Trials since 2022 have included over 40,000 km of driving and more than 5,000 rounds fired to validate reliability. Industrial participation has been structured for high domestic content, with 80 percent of manufacturing and 70 percent of the supply chain located in the UK, supporting more than 4,000 jobs across 230 suppliers. Final assembly is conducted in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, with Lockheed Martin UK responsible for the turret and fire control, Thales UK for sighting systems, Rheinmetall for turret manufacture, and Meggitt for ammunition handling.

The Blackjax demonstrator reflects how the Ajax platform may continue to evolve. Early studies envisioned additional variants such as a direct-fire vehicle with a 120 mm cannon, a mortar carrier, short-range air defense platforms, logistics support vehicles, and ambulances. The Blackjax configuration brings together several of these ideas by showing a hybrid active protection architecture, alternative track systems, and a high-elevation gun kit that could offer counter-drone capabilities. Its introduction coincides with international interest, particularly in Poland, where Ajax is reportedly being considered as a potential chassis for heavy IFV development with integration of the domestic ZSSW-30 turret. The Blackjax, therefore, represents not only a possible future pathway for the British Army’s own fleet, but also an indicator of how the modular base platform could be adapted to meet foreign requirements.