Ajax Blackjax - Black Night’s Little Brother

CHARM_3 · February 26, 2026, 9:59pm

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Hello👋👋👋

Welcome to my suggestion for the Ajax Blackjax

(not to be confused with the Ajax IFV)

What is Ajax?

Ajax is a family of tracked armoured fighting vehicles developed for the British Army in the 2010s to replace the long-serving CVR(T) reconnaissance vehicles. The programme was formally launched in 2014, with General Dynamics UK selected as the prime contractor, and development and manufacturing carried out mainly in the UK. Ajax vehicles began entering Army trials in the late 2010s, with initial operating capability planned in the early 2020s following extensive testing and modification. Designed for modern reconnaissance and strike support, Ajax combines improved protection, digital systems and a 40 mm cannon to meet contemporary battlefield requirements.

What is Ajax Blackjax?

Ajax Blackjax is a technology demonstrator unveiled at DSEI 2025 in London as a next-generation evolution within the Ajax tracked vehicle family, created to explore how the platform could adapt to future threats and mission requirements beyond the standard reconnaissance role. Unlike the original Ajax, which focuses on forward Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) and strike with its 40 mm cannon and digitised sensors, Blackjax incorporates innovations such as composite rubber tracks for lower vibration and noise and the UK’s Modular Integrated Protection System (MIPS) combining Trophy sensors with Iron Fist interceptors to boost survivability. Its turret has also been modified to allow gun elevation up to about 85 degrees, hinting at potential capability expansion into counter-drone or short-range air defence roles, something the baseline Ajax does not offer, and demonstrating a spiral development approach that lets new technologies be tested and refined over time.

Specifications:

Powertrain, Suspension & Tracks

The Ajax Blackjax demonstrator uses the same engine as the standard Ajax family, an MTU Friedrichshafen V8 diesel engine producing 816 horsepower paired with a RENK HSWL 256 EVO 6 speed automatic transmission rated to 46t.

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Soucy Composite Rubber Trucks (CRT)

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Torsion bar suspension.

Crew

The same as Ajax:
(3)

Driver
Gunner
Commander

Dimensions

Same as Ajax:

Length: 7.62m
Width: 3.35m
Height: 2.77m

Sensors & Defences

Modular Integrated Protection System (MIPS)

Left - Laser Warning Receiver (LWR) same as the Challenger 2 Black Night.
Centre - IAI M3S2 integrated sensor head
Right - IRON FIST own EO sensor head

IAI M3S2 integrated sensor head

Multi Mission Multi Sensor Suite (M3S2)

Elbit Systems Iron Fist

hard kill

Already in game on the Challenger 2 Black Night. The Iron Fist launcher is a hard kill countermeasure launcher integrated within the Modular Integrated Protection System (MIPS). MIPS detects, tracks and classifies incoming threats using its sensor suite, then cues the Iron Fist launcher to fire an interceptor that neutralises the threat at a safe distance from the vehicle before impact.

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soft kill

In addition to hard‑kill protection, the system is supported by soft‑kill measures, including a laser warning receiver and laser jammer. When the vehicle is illuminated by a laser rangefinder or designator, the system can alert the crew and automatically activate jamming or countermeasures to disrupt enemy targeting, adding an extra layer of protection before hard kill engagement is required.

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Cameras & Sights

The same as Ajax:

Thales Stabilized 3rd-Generation Battle Group Thermal Imager (BGTI) System
ORION Panoramic Primary Sight
Commander: Thales Catherine-MP (Mega Pixel) Thermal Imager
Gunner: DNGS-T3 Stabilized Thermal Secondary Sight
Driver: Thales LSA Thermal Imager

Armament & Ammunition

Blackjax vSHORAD

An upgrade to the optics and gun mounting allows Blackjax to engage targets at elevations of up to 85 degrees, compared to 45 degrees on the standard Ajax, enabling it to function as an effective very short range air defence (vSHORAD) platform. This capability is enhanced through the use of CTA International’s A3B (Anti‑Aerial AirBurst) 40 mm ammunition, which is designed specifically to defeat aerial threats such as drones and low‑flying aircraft by dispersing a cloud of sub‑projectiles at a programmed point. The A3B round has already been adopted by France for the RapidFire 40 mm CTA system used by the Marine Nationale and ordered by the Armée de Terre, demonstrating its suitability for anti‑air roles.