IAV 2024: 10×10 HX3 system trialled for UK Mobile Fires Platform progr…

Rheinmetall's HX3 10×10 SPH conducted trials in Bovington in 2023 under the UK's MFP programme. (Rheinmetall)

Rheinmetall's HX3 10×10 truck equipped with an automatic remote-controlled artillery turret conducted trials for the UK's Mobile Fires Platform (MFP) programme in Bovington in 2023, Janes learnt at the International Armoured Vehicles (IAV) 2024 conference being held in London from 22 to 25 January.

The 52 tonne system with a 25 m turning radius conducted trials including climbing a 31° slope, traversing a 2.3 m gap, and fording in 1.5 m deepwater.

It is competing in the MFP programme to replace the AS90 self-propelled howitzer (SPH) against Hanwha Defense's Team Thunder offering the K9A2 SPH, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) with its Boxer Remote Controlled Howitzer (RCH) 155, Nexter with its CAESAR 8×8 SPH, and BAE Systems with Archer.

Janes understands that the UK plans for the system selected as the MFP to enter service in 2027.