Fuzes
Fuzes
The Coventry Arsenal is currently developing the first new fuzes to be designed and manufactured in the United Kingdom for 155mm artillery in over twenty-five years. This work forms part of a structured programme aligned with MOD assurance expectations and intended to support sovereign industrial capability. The two fuzes presently under development are:
TCA-F01 — Point Detonating and Graze Fuze (PD&G)
TCA-F02 — Multi-Role Fuze (MRF)
The TCA-F02 is designed to incorporate a proximity sensing function manufactured from blank wafers using our proprietary lithography techniques to initiate functioning when the projectile enters a defined engagement envelope. This enables controlled air-burst operation at a predetermined stand-off distance, improving effects distribution across personnel and lightly protected materiel while maintaining predictable functioning characteristics for safety case assessment.
The TCA-F02 will be inductively programmable and intended for compatibility with 39- and 52-calibre artillery systems and compliant with NATO interoperability standards, including STANAG 4369 and AOP-22. The design accommodates high-rate loading environments, including flick-ramming, and utilises a steel-bodied architecture to maintain structural and functional integrity under high launch acceleration and elevated thermal exposure condition.
Post-launch arming is governed through sensing of translational acceleration and rotational dynamics consistent with recognised fuze safety and arming principles. Mechanical alignment of internal safety mechanisms occurs only after the projectile has exceeded defined muzzle safety separation criteria.
The design incorporates provisions to:
inhibit premature electronic activation during early flight
reduce over-flight risk
maintain controlled transition from safe to armed state
support integration into Insensitive Munition compliant firing chains
Development and qualification planning is being conducted with the intent of aligning with MOD Integrated Test Evaluation & Acceptance Planning (ITEAP) processes and supporting safety case substantiation under relevant regulatory frameworks.
