Britain and France have agreed to fund a development program by CTA International to ensure that the new 40mm Case Telescoped Weapon System is functional before the two armies have to select a weapon of this type next year. The Case Telescoped concept has the projectile inside a tube inside the cartridge case; the primer pushes the projectile into the barrel a split-second before the main charge ignites. Because the ammunition is basically cylindrical instead of cone-shaped like all other types, high-speed mechanical loading is easier. The 40mm CTWS will be used in the upgraded Warrior IFV and in new wheeled vehicles built by both countries. But the technology is new, and both countries want to be sure it actually works as advertised before contracting for hundreds or thousands of them.--Stephen V Cole