Sistemas navales

Torreta Narwhal de 20 mm controlada a distancia

Also known as
  • NARWHAL
  • NARWHAL20
  • Narwhal 20
  • Narwhal 20A
  • Narwhal 20B
  • Narwhal 20B V1
  • Narwhal 20B V2
  • Narwhal RCWS
  • Narwhal RWS
  • 20 mm Narwhal remote-controlled turret
  • NAval Remote Weapon, Highly Accurate, Lightweight

Narwhal es la familia de torretas navales de 20 mm operadas a distancia de KNDS France para autodefensa cercana de buques y funciones de seguridad maritima. Material oficial de KNDS y MBDA la describe como un sistema ligero diurno/nocturno para plataformas desde pequenos patrulleros hasta fragatas, con configuraciones 20A y 20B segun el estandar de municion, mas de 180 sistemas en servicio, contenedores de misiles Akeron MP demostrados y una linea futura de crecimiento hacia 30 mm.

Torreta Narwhal de 20 mm controlada a distancia, Estacion naval de armas remota de 20 mm, Sistemas navales
Image source: Narwhal RCWS Packs More Punch with New Missile Capability | Naval News

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Francia
Built by
KNDS France
Built in
France
Type
Estacion naval de armas remota de 20 mm

Specifications

Calibre
20 mm
Tipo de montaje
Estacion naval de armas controlada a distancia y totalmente estabilizada
Fabricante
KNDS France, anteriormente Nexter
Clase de integracion
Pequenos patrulleros, patrulleros ligeros, fragatas y buques mas pesados de clase fragata
Familia principal de canon
20M621 para aplicaciones Narwhal de 20x102 mm; 20M693 para aplicaciones Narwhal de 20x139 mm
Estandar de municion 20A
Municion de 20x102 mm conforme al estandar OTAN con estopin electrico
Estandar de municion 20B
Municion de 20x139 mm con estopin mecanico
Sistema de punteria
Mira diurna/nocturna con telemetro laser; el folleto de KNDS tambien describe vigilancia diurna/nocturna permanente
Cadencia de tiro del 20M621
Aproximadamente 750 disparos por minuto
Peso del arma 20M621
49 kg de peso del canon
Prestaciones de la municion de 20x102 mm
Alrededor de 2.500 m de alcance operativo maximo y 1.005 m/s de velocidad inicial para la municion AP-T de KNDS
Prestaciones de la municion de 20x139 mm
Alrededor de 2.000 m de alcance operativo maximo y 1.050 m/s de velocidad inicial para la ficha de la familia HEI de 20x139 mm de KNDS
Base en servicio
Mas de 180 sistemas en servicio en varias marinas, segun KNDS France en 2024
Opciones de crecimiento
Kit de dos contenedores de misiles Akeron MP demostrado en 2022; KNDS describio en 2024 una futura evolucion a 30 mm
Design And Fire-Control Notes

KNDS y MBDA describen Narwhal como una estacion remota de armas protegida, no como un canon de cubierta servido manualmente. El sistema combina una instalacion estabilizada de canon de 20 mm con optronica diurna/nocturna, medicion laser de distancia y operacion remota para que una dotacion reducida pueda realizar vigilancia y fuego desde una posicion protegida.

Herencia

KNDS vincula Narwhal con la experiencia en montajes navales ligeros 15A/15B y torretas de canon para helicopteros THL.

Estandares de municion

La division entre 20A y 20B sigue los estandares de municion de 20x102 mm y 20x139 mm, y las paginas de municion de KNDS relacionan esas familias con aplicaciones Narwhal de 20M621 y 20M693.

Ruta de crecimiento

Las rutas de crecimiento mostradas publicamente incluyen el kit de contenedores de misiles Akeron MP y la posterior declaracion de KNDS sobre una evolucion a 30 mm.

Fuentes: KNDS 2023 Corporate Brochure; 20M621 | KNDS Group; 20x102MM | KNDS Group; 20x139MM | KNDS Group; Euronaval 2022: Nexter and MBDA present the new NARWHAL turret equipped with the AKERON MP missile system | MBDA; KNDS France displays its innovative naval artillery systems | KNDS Group.

Variants

Las fuentes abiertas describen Narwhal principalmente por configuraciones segun el estandar de municion y por su ruta de modernizacion, mas que como registros de armas separados para plataformas especificas.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Narwhal 20AConfiguracion de 20x102 mm

Naval News describe 20A y 20B como opciones del usuario final segun el estandar de municion; KNDS identifica la municion de 20x102 mm como calificada en el 20M621 montado en Narwhal.

Sources: Nexter & Naval Group to Upgrade Narwhal RWS on all French Navy Vessels | Naval News, 20M621 | KNDS Group, 20x102MM | KNDS Group

Narwhal 20BConfiguracion de 20x139 mm

Naval News describe 20B como la version conforme al estandar de municion de 20x139 mm e informa de trabajos de modernizacion de la DGA para montajes Narwhal 20B de la Marina francesa; KNDS identifica la municion de 20x139 mm como calificada en el 20M693 montado en Narwhal.

Sources: Nexter & Naval Group to Upgrade Narwhal RWS on all French Navy Vessels | Naval News, 20x139MM | KNDS Group

Narwhal with Akeron MP podsDemostrador aumentado con misiles

MBDA y Nexter presentaron un kit con dos contenedores de misiles Akeron MP, electronica de control y un terminal de operador, descrito como instalable en cualquier version de Narwhal, incluidos sistemas ya en servicio.

Sources: Euronaval 2022: Nexter and MBDA present the new NARWHAL turret equipped with the AKERON MP missile system | MBDA

Narwhal 20B V1 / V2Ruta de modernizacion de la Marina francesa

Naval News informa de un contrato de la DGA de enero de 2020 para la calificacion V1 y trabajos de certificacion y despliegue V2 en sistemas Narwhal 20B de la Marina francesa.

Sources: Nexter & Naval Group to Upgrade Narwhal RWS on all French Navy Vessels | Naval News

Plataformas portadoras

Narwhal esta documentado en combatientes de superficie de la Marina francesa, buques anfibios, configuraciones de autodefensa de portaaviones y patrulleros de ultramar.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
Aquitaine class, Multi-mission frigate class, Naval SystemsAquitaine classFragata multimision

Naval News reporto 16 sistemas Narwhal 20B en las fragatas FREMM de la clase Aquitaine, incluidas las variantes FREMM de defensa aerea Alsace y Lorraine.

Sources: Nexter & Naval Group to Upgrade Narwhal RWS on all French Navy Vessels | Naval News

Mistral-class landing helicopter dock, Landing helicopter dock, Naval SystemsMistral-class landing helicopter dockBuque de asalto anfibio portahelicopteros

Naval News enumero seis sistemas Narwhal 20B para los tres buques de asalto anfibio portahelicopteros de la clase Mistral de la Marina francesa.

Sources: Nexter & Naval Group to Upgrade Narwhal RWS on all French Navy Vessels | Naval News

Horizon class / Forbin-class frigate, Air-defense frigate class, Naval SystemsHorizon class / Forbin-class frigateFragata de defensa aerea

Naval News enumero seis sistemas Narwhal 20B para los dos destructores de defensa aerea de la clase Horizon de la Marina francesa.

Sources: Nexter & Naval Group to Upgrade Narwhal RWS on all French Navy Vessels | Naval News

Charles de Gaulle, Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Naval SystemsCharles de GaullePortaaviones

Naval News enumero tres sistemas Narwhal 20B en el portaaviones frances Charles de Gaulle.

Sources: Nexter & Naval Group to Upgrade Narwhal RWS on all French Navy Vessels | Naval News

Confiance-class patrol vessel, Offshore patrol vessel class, Naval SystemsConfiance-class patrol vesselPatrullero

Naval News informo de estudios de modernizacion para sistemas Narwhal 20B instalados a bordo de los tres patrulleros PAG de la clase La Confiance.

Sources: Nexter & Naval Group to Upgrade Narwhal RWS on all French Navy Vessels | Naval News

Amiral Ronarc'h-class frigate, Multi-role frigate class, Naval SystemsAmiral Ronarc'h-class frigateFragata multimision

Naval News informo que Naval Group y Nexter firmaron para equipar directamente las fragatas FDI de la Marina francesa con montajes Narwhal 20B V1.

Sources: Nexter & Naval Group to Upgrade Narwhal RWS on all French Navy Vessels | Naval News

Félix Éboué class patrol vessel, Offshore patrol vessel, Naval SystemsFélix Éboué class patrol vesselPatrullero de altura

Naval News nombra el armamento de la clase POM como una torreta de 20 mm controlada a distancia, Narwhal de Nexter.

Sources: Video: French Navy's New POM OPV for the Indo-Pacific | Naval News

Timeline

Torreta Narwhal de 20 mm controlada a distancia Key Events

  1. Seleccion por la Marina francesa reportada

    Naval News, citando el contexto de Nexter, informa que Narwhal 20 fue seleccionado por la Marina francesa a finales de 2011 para autodefensa cercana en fragatas FREMM.

    Sources: Nexter & Naval Group to Upgrade Narwhal RWS on all French Navy Vessels | Naval News

  2. Contrato de modernizacion de la DGA para Narwhal 20B

    La DGA francesa adjudico a Nexter y Naval Group un contrato para modernizar sistemas Narwhal 20B instalados a bordo de buques de superficie de la Marina francesa, incluida la calificacion V1 y trabajos posteriores V2.

    Sources: Nexter & Naval Group to Upgrade Narwhal RWS on all French Navy Vessels | Naval News

  3. Configuracion con kit de misiles Akeron MP presentada

    Nexter y MBDA presentaron en Euronaval 2022 una configuracion Narwhal con dos contenedores de misiles Akeron MP, electronica de control asociada y un terminal de operador.

    Sources: Euronaval 2022: Nexter and MBDA present the new NARWHAL turret equipped with the AKERON MP missile system | MBDA

  4. KNDS describe la base en servicio y la evolucion a 30 mm

    KNDS France declaro que mas de 180 sistemas Narwhal estaban en servicio en varias marinas y describio una direccion de desarrollo hacia una version con canon de 30 mm para guerra antidrones.

    Sources: KNDS France displays its innovative naval artillery systems | KNDS Group

Media

Torreta Narwhal de 20 mm controlada a distancia Videos

Torreta Narwhal de 20 mm controlada a distancia Images

Torreta Narwhal de 20 mm controlada a distancia, Estacion naval de armas remota de 20 mm, Sistemas navales - view 1
Source: Narwhal RCWS Packs More Punch with New Missile Capability | Naval News
Related Weapon Systems
20mm GIAT M693 autocannon, French 20 mm autocannon chambered for 20x139mm NATO rounds, Infantry WeaponsInfantry Weapons20mm GIAT M693 autocannonFrench 20 mm autocannon chambered for 20x139mm NATO roundsThe GIAT M693 is a French 20 mm autocannon family developed for armored-vehicle, anti-aircraft, and naval mount applications. Specialist references trace the gun to the earlier M621 mechanism but a larger 20x139 mm NATO cartridge, dual-belt feed, and about 900 rounds per minute. The catalog keeps it as a relationship-only component page because public sources most clearly document the M693 through host platforms and derivatives: AMX-10P vehicles, naval 20F2 mounts, Narwhal 20B turrets, and the South African GI2 production variant.
Félix Éboué class patrol vessel, Offshore patrol vessel, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsFélix Éboué class patrol vesselOffshore patrol vesselThe Félix Éboué class patrol vessel, also known as the Patrouilleur Outre-Mer (POM), is France's six-ship overseas offshore patrol vessel program for sovereignty, maritime surveillance, law-enforcement, environmental-protection, and rescue missions in distant EEZs. Built by Socarenam with CNN MCO support and designed by MAURIC, the class is distributed across Nouméa, Papeete, and La Réunion and combines diesel-electric propulsion, a 5,500 nm range, a 24-knot top speed, UAV integration, and a 20 mm Narwhal remote weapon station for extended Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean patrol work.
Harpoon Coastal Defense System (HCDS), Mobile coastal anti-ship missile system, Naval SystemsNaval SystemsHarpoon Coastal Defense System (HCDS)Mobile coastal anti-ship missile systemHarpoon Coastal Defense System (HCDS) is a land-based Harpoon launch-system package built around mobile launcher transporter units, radar trucks, command-and-launch equipment, and RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II missiles. U.S. records identify Boeing as the principal contractor for Taiwan's HCDS sale, document follow-on launcher and missile-package contracts, and separately record two Harpoon coastal defense systems funded for Ukraine after Russia's full-scale invasion.

Sources

Narwhal RCWS Packs More Punch with New Missile Capability | Naval NewsPublisher: Naval News | Note: Supports Narwhal's 20 mm remote-operated turret description, French and export service context, gun range, Akeron MP missile demonstration, and image provenance. | Accessed: 2026-07-02KNDS France displays its naval artillery systems at Euronaval 2024 | Naval NewsPublisher: Naval News | Note: Supports KNDS France manufacturer context, the 20 mm Narwhal turret fit, integration on light patrollers and heavier frigates, the reported in-service count, and image provenance. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Video: French Navy's New POM OPV for the Indo-Pacific | Naval NewsPublisher: Naval News | Note: Supports the Félix Éboué class patrol vessel mounting a 20 mm Narwhal remote-controlled turret. | Accessed: 2026-07-02KNDS France displays its innovative naval artillery systems | KNDS GroupPublisher: KNDS Group | Note: Supports official KNDS context for Narwhal as a 20 mm remote-controlled turret, its light-patroller and frigate integration, reported in-service base, and 30 mm evolution direction. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Euronaval 2022: Nexter and MBDA present the new NARWHAL turret equipped with the AKERON MP missile system | MBDAPublisher: MBDA | Note: Supports the Narwhal acronym, 20 mm remote turret role, small-patrol-boat to frigate integration, day/night sight, laser range finder, 20M621 gun, more-than-2,000 m effectiveness, Akeron MP pod configuration, and official image context. | Accessed: 2026-07-0220M621 | KNDS GroupPublisher: KNDS Group | Note: Supports the 20M621 cannon as a KNDS gas-operated 20 mm gun used on the Narwhal mount, including firing modes, 20x102 mm ammunition, rate of fire, recoil, feed, priming, and cannon weight. | Accessed: 2026-07-0220x102MM | KNDS GroupPublisher: KNDS Group | Note: Supports 20x102 mm ammunition qualified on the 20M621 mounted on Narwhal and gives ammunition characteristics including cartridge mass, projectile mass, range, muzzle velocity, dispersion, and electric primer. | Accessed: 2026-07-0220x139MM | KNDS GroupPublisher: KNDS Group | Note: Supports 20x139 mm ammunition qualified on the 20M693 mounted on Narwhal and gives ammunition characteristics including cartridge mass, projectile mass, range, muzzle velocity, dispersion, and mechanical primer. | Accessed: 2026-07-02KNDS 2023 Corporate BrochurePublisher: KNDS Group | Note: Supports Narwhal design heritage from light naval gun mounts and helicopter turret technology, permanent day/night surveillance, reduced protected crew operation, and 20 mm gun role. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Nexter & Naval Group to Upgrade Narwhal RWS on all French Navy Vessels | Naval NewsPublisher: Naval News | Note: Supports Narwhal 20B modernization, 20A/20B ammunition-standard framing, French Navy selection context, and Narwhal 20B integration across French Navy Aquitaine-class FREMM frigates, Mistral-class LHDs, Horizon-class air-defense destroyers, Charles de Gaulle, La Confiance-class patrol vessels, FDI frigates, and planned POM patrol vessels. | Accessed: 2026-07-02French destroyer rescues Sounion crew and destroys drone boat | AP NewsPublisher: Associated Press | Note: Supports 2023 Red Sea Crisis direct-use context by reporting that a French destroyer rescued Sounion's crew and destroyed a bomb-carrying drone boat in the area. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Mer Rouge: une fregate francaise a detruit un drone de surface menacant le Sounion | Opex360Publisher: Opex360 | Note: Supports 2023 Red Sea Crisis Narwhal-use context by assessing that imagery from the Sounion rescue indicated the French frigate probably used one of its 20 mm Narwhal guns against the hostile surface drone. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Euronaval 2022: Nexter exhibits its new naval turrets | KNDS GroupPublisher: KNDS Group | Note: Official KNDS press release supporting Narwhal with Akeron pod demonstration context and image provenance for the displayed turret. | Accessed: 2026-07-02