Leonardo HITFACT MkII

History

The Leonardo HITFACT MkII is a modular, fully digital large-calibre turret for wheeled and tracked armoured vehicles. It can accommodate either a 105/52 mm rifled gun or a 120/45 mm smoothbore gun, allowing the same turret architecture to support different firepower requirements.

The system is designed for light and medium armoured platforms requiring direct-fire capability comparable to heavier combat vehicles. Leonardo describes the HITFACT MkII as qualified, in production, and in service.

The turret has continued to be demonstrated on different vehicle platforms, including the Turkish Otokar TULPAR tracked armoured vehicle with the 120 mm weapon configuration.

Development

By 2020, Leonardo was developing and demonstrating the HITFACT MkII with both 105 mm and 120 mm gun options. The interfaces for the two weapons were designed to remain substantially common, allowing the calibre to be changed without redesigning the turret. The 120 mm installation is heavier, while the 105 mm weapon offers a wider choice of established ammunition types.

The 105/52 mm gun used with the HITFACT MkII was developed with improved barrel material and a chrome-lined bore. Compared with the preceding 105 mm weapon, its oscillating mass was reduced by about 5 percent and recoil length by about 20 percent. The admissible breech pressure was increased by approximately 20 percent, providing growth potential for higher-performance ammunition.

TULPAR integration

Otokar and Leonardo announced the preliminary integration of a HITFACT MkII 120 mm turret with the TULPAR tracked armoured vehicle in 2024. The initial work placed the Italian turret on the Turkish vehicle and established the basis for a more extensive integration programme.

In 2026, the companies completed the integration programme following further interest in the configuration. Engineering work covered the mechanical, electrical, electronic, and software interfaces between the turret and the vehicle. Functional checks, safety inspections, and system validation were performed before live firing.

Testing included vehicle trials at Leonardo's La Spezia facility in Italy and subsequent live-fire trials at a military firing range near Rome. Training and live ammunition were fired against standard NATO target boards in static and dynamic conditions. The trials evaluated the weapon system, fire-control system, stabilisation, and the overall interaction between the turret and the TULPAR platform.

Design

The HITFACT MkII uses a modular architecture intended for installation on both wheeled and tracked armoured vehicles. The turret is fully digital and can be configured for either a two-person or three-person crew. An automatic ammunition loading system can be fitted when required by the user.

Armament

The primary weapon options are the 105/52 mm rifled gun and the 120/45 mm smoothbore gun. The turret can use standard NATO ammunition applicable to these weapons. The 120 mm configuration is intended to provide the firepower associated with a main battle tank gun while remaining suitable for lighter wheeled or tracked platforms.

Secondary armament includes a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. Additional weapons can include a HITROLE remote weapon station or an externally mounted 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun. Eight smoke grenade dischargers are also supported. The turret can additionally be configured with a HITROLE counter-UAS remote weapon station using Leonardo's 30×113 mm BLAZE gun.

Crew protection and ammunition handling

Ammunition is housed in an anti-blast compartment separated from the crew. Depending on the selected configuration, loading may be manual or automatic. The turret also incorporates anti-mine seating and a laser warning system.

Sighting and fire control

Panoramic electro-optical systems are provided for the commander and gunner to support observation, target detection, and engagement. The digital fire-control and stabilisation systems are intended to support firing both from stationary positions and while the host vehicle is moving.

Program status

The HITFACT MkII is qualified, in production, and in service. Its modular configuration permits installation on different wheeled and tracked vehicles and selection between 105 mm and 120 mm main armament.

The TULPAR integration completed in 2026 demonstrated the 120 mm configuration on a medium tracked platform. Static and moving live-fire trials completed the integration and validation campaign for that vehicle-turret combination.

Variants

• HITFACT MkII 105 mm: Configuration armed with the 105/52 mm rifled gun.
• HITFACT MkII 120 mm: Configuration armed with the 120/45 mm smoothbore gun. This configuration was integrated with the TULPAR tracked vehicle and completed live-fire testing in 2026.

Specifications (HITFACT MkII)

General characteristics

• Type: Modular digital large-calibre armoured vehicle turret
• Crew: 2 or 3, depending on configuration
• Loading: Manual or automatic ammunition loading system
• Platform compatibility: Wheeled or tracked armoured vehicles
• Ammunition protection: Anti-blast ammunition compartment separated from the crew
• Crew protection: Anti-mine seats and laser warning system

Armament

• Main armament: 120/45 mm smoothbore gun or 105/52 mm rifled gun
• Coaxial armament: 1 × 7.62 mm machine gun
• Additional armament: HITROLE remote weapon station or external 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun
• Smoke grenade launchers: 8 dischargers
• Ammunition compatibility: Standard NATO ammunition in accordance with the applicable STANAG 4385 and STANAG 4458 standards