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Leonardo's new Lionfish 30 naval turret brings AI tracking to Italy’s future warships.
Leonardo introduced the Lionfish 30 30×173 mm remotely-operated naval turret at SeaFuture 2025; it will be mounted on Italy's PPX patrol vessels, FREMM EVO frigates, and future DDX destroyers.
During Seafuture 2025 in La Spezia, Italy, Leonardo officially introduced the Lionfish 30 naval turret, specifying that it is now in production and that the first production unit is intended for the Italian Navy, with international orders already in place. This turret integrates Leonardo’s new ITAR-free X-GUN (30×173 mm), a dual-feed magazine with ~200+ ready rounds, and the JANUS-D electro-optical director using AI for detection, classification, and predictive tracking; once delivered to the Italian Navy, the Lionfish 30 will be mounted on PPX offshore patrol vessels, FREMM EVO frigates, and future DDX destroyers.
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The Lionfish 30 is the latest evolution in Leonardo’s family of small-calibre naval turrets, which also includes the Lionfish 12.7 Ultralight, Inner Reloading, and Top, as well as the Lionfish 20. (Picture source: Leonardo)
Leonardo confirmed that the first production model will be intended for the Italian Navy, to be integrated on the PPX offshore patrol vessels, the FREMM EVO frigates, and the future DDX destroyers. Already ordered by international customers in North Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, the Lionfish 30 is part of a family of small- and medium-calibre remotely operated weapon systems that includes the Lionfish 12.7 Ultralight, Inner Reloading, and Top, as well as the Lionfish 20. The Italian Navy plans to progressively replace its older 25 mm OTO Single KBA mounts across the fleet, a shift that could affect over 60 existing weapons, since nearly every unit currently carries one or more of these systems.
The Lionfish 30 is the latest evolution in Leonardo’s family of small-calibre naval turrets, which also includes the Lionfish 12.7 Ultralight, Inner Reloading, and Top, as well as the Lionfish 20. These systems were conceived to meet the demand for lightweight, compact, and modular weapon stations that can be installed on a wide range of platforms, from small patrol boats of less than 10 tonnes to larger frigates and destroyers, as either primary or secondary armament. The 12.7 mm Ultralight turret, weighing under 180 kg, is notable for its suitability on uncrewed vessels and small craft, while the Inner Reloading model allows operators to reload from below deck for safety. The 12.7 Top configuration, heavier at under 300 kg, provides larger magazines and better engagement angles against threats close to the hull, while the Lionfish 20, weighing about 450 kg, offers long-range effectiveness with 20x128 mm ammunition.
The Lionfish 30 integrates the new Leonardo X-GUN chambered in 30x173 mm, developed entirely in-house and classified as ITAR-free. It is an electrically driven dual-feed weapon, supplied from two ammunition boxes each holding around 100 rounds, providing over 200 rounds ready for immediate use. The system supports all types of 30x173 mm ammunition, including High Explosive (MP-T/SD, SAPHEI-T, HEI-T), Armour Piercing (API, APFSDS-T, FAPSD-T), Target Practice (TP, TP-T), and new Air Burst Munition (ABM). Its firing modes are selectable between single shot, programmed burst, and continuous burst, with a maximum burst rate of up to 200 rounds per minute. The ammunition loading system is enclosed within the turret to protect from external exposure and reduce vulnerability, while also providing a low radar cross-section.
The turret is equipped with the JANUS-D naval electro-optical director, which is fully stabilized, independent, and capable of 360° surveillance and tracking. The sensor suite includes a high-resolution daylight camera, infrared camera, and laser rangefinder with an effective range of up to 10 km. Depending on the configuration, the day DRI (Detection/Recognition/Identification) is specified as 9.5/4.8/3 km, while with the cooled MWIR thermal camera, this increases to 12/6/3.5 km. The system uses artificial intelligence algorithms for ballistic calculations, multi-target detection, and predictive tracking, which allow the turret to identify, classify, and engage drones, helicopters, or asymmetric surface threats. Elevation limits range from -20° to +70° and training from -155° to +155°, with elevation speed of 90°/s and training speed of 140°/s, both supported by accelerations of 220°/s². The mount weighs 1,450 kg without ammunition and requires no deck penetration, facilitating integration on both small and large vessels.
The Lionfish 30’s counter-UAS role relies heavily on the new 30x173 mm ABM round being developed by KNDS Ammo Italy. The ammunition is fitted with a programmable time fuse that receives an initial set of parameters from the fire control system before chambering, based on distance, engagement point, environmental factors, and nominal muzzle velocity. A second programming stage occurs at the muzzle brake level, where the system measures true muzzle velocity using two gates integrated in the recoil-reducing device. The prefragmented front section of the round disperses a cone of small fragments optimized to defeat micro and mini drones, while the steel body generates heavier fragments to damage larger targets through a combination of explosive energy and forward velocity. This dual effect increases flexibility, with the programming kit expected to finish qualification in late 2025 and the round itself to begin qualification in 2026.
Leonardo has initiated production with an initial batch of 30 Lionfish 30 systems to be completed in just over 12 months, responding to parallel demand from both domestic and foreign customers. Cannon production targets exceed 200 units per year, with the X-GUN intended not only for the Navy but also for potential Italian Army and export applications. The turrets are primarily manufactured at Leonardo’s Brescia facility, while the barrels are produced in La Spezia, where additional capacity is being added. The system is controlled by a local console featuring a 17-inch touchscreen and multifunction joysticks, capable of providing high-resolution, low-latency digital video. It can also be operated via a ship’s remote multifunction console or fire control system, giving flexibility for both standalone use and integration into wider naval combat systems. Leonardo is also studying possible applications for the turret in land-based roles, including truck-mounted and tracked vehicle solutions.
The Lionfish 30 has been designated as a core element of the Italian Navy’s layered defense, working alongside the 76/62 mm Strales main gun and larger missile systems to counter threats at varying ranges. On major combatants such as frigates and corvettes, the Lionfish 30 is intended to secure the last kilometre of defense against UAVs, while also covering asymmetric surface threats. Its AI-driven ballistic algorithms are designed to improve performance against drone swarms by reducing ammunition expenditure per engagement, and the enclosed loading system allows sustained fire missions. The turret’s modularity and compact dimensions make it suitable for ships as small as 25 meters in length and it can also be used on larger platforms as a secondary armament.
The adoption of the Lionfish 30 coincides with Italy’s broader naval modernization. The PPX offshore patrol vessels, at 95 meters and about 2,400 tons, are equipped with a 76/62 Strales gun and two Lionfish 30 turrets for close-in defense, and are designed for long-duration patrols with CODLAD propulsion and NH90 helicopter facilities. The FREMM EVO represents an evolution of the Bergamini-class frigates, with upgraded sensors, SADOC 4 combat management, dual-band radar, and Aster 30 B1NT missiles for enhanced area defense. Deliveries of the EVO are planned for 2029 and 2030. The DDX destroyer, projected at around 14,000–14,500 tons, is planned with 80 vertical launch cells, a dual-band radar suite, and command-and-control capacity for integrated air and missile defense.
Written by Jérôme Brahy
Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.