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107-474: Due to its firepower, its range of ammunition and its "Instant Ammunition Selection Device" (IASD), which allows the gunner to easily switch between armor-piercing and high-explosive rounds , the KBA cannon can engage lightly armoured vehicles, infantry, anti-tank positions, helicopters, combat aircraft and ships. The Oerlikon KBA 25 mm is a fully automatic cannon based on the proven gas-operation principle with

214-487: A Martensite phase transformation ), while the remainder of the mold, being formed of sand, allowed the metal to cool slowly and the body of the shot to be made tough (resistant to shattering). These chilled iron shots proved very effective against wrought iron armour but were not serviceable against compound and steel armour, which was first introduced in the 1880s. A new departure, therefore, had to be made, and forged steel rounds with points hardened by water took

321-515: A rifled gun. HEAT shells were developed during World War II as a munition made of an explosive shaped charge that uses the Munroe effect to create a very high-velocity particle stream of metal in a state of superplasticity , and used to penetrate solid vehicle armour . HEAT rounds caused a revolution in anti-tank warfare when they were first introduced in the later part of World War II. One infantryman could effectively destroy any extant tank with

428-487: A rotating bolt head similar to the Mauser M 98 or M16 and double belt feed for the ammunition. The KBA offers a wide range of firing modes: single shot, programmable rapid single shot with a rate of fire programmable from 100 to 175 rds/min and full automatic fire up to 600 rds/min. The cannon functions, such as cocking and firing, are electrically actuated by a remote control unit or manually in auxiliary mode by means of

535-408: A silicon - manganese -chromium-based alloy when those grades became scarce. The latter alloy, although able to be hardened to the same level, was more brittle and had a tendency to shatter on striking highly sloped armour. The shattered shot lowered penetration, or resulted in total penetration failure; for armour-piercing high-explosive (APHE) projectiles, this could result in premature detonation of

642-513: A March 2011 contract to add a directed energy weapon to the Mk 38 Mod 2 gun mount, known as the Mk 38 Mod 2 tactical laser system . The TLS combines a Boeing-designed solid-state laser with the existing BAE-manufactured Mk 38 mount to deliver high-precision accuracy against fast surface and air threats including speed boats and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Laser power levels can be adjusted depending on

749-539: A NATO country. In the meantime the Swiss Oerlikon-Bürle factory obtained from TRW the license of the TRW-6425 for Europe in 1967 and they started the "KBA series" 25mm cannon project based on it. In the designation KBA , " K " is kanone; " B " is a 25 mm caliber, and " A " is a design model in a given caliber. Several principles were combined in order to refine the project. The early configuration

856-514: A barrel or barrel extension which taperes towards the muzzle – a system known as the Gerlich principle . This projectile design is very similar to the APCR-design - featuring a high-density core within a shell of soft iron or another alloy - but with the addition of soft metal flanges or studs along the outer projectile wall to increase the projectile diameter to a higher caliber. This caliber

963-428: A certain mass-ratio between length and diameter (calibre) for accurate flight, traditionally a length-to-diameter ratio less than 10 (more for higher density projectiles). If a spin-stabilized projectile is made too long it will become unstable and tumble during flight. This limits how long APDS sub-projectiles of can be in relation to its sub-calibre, which in turn limits how thin the sub-projectile can be without making

1070-744: A competitive development in 1972 simultaneously at Ford 's Aeronutronic Division with the PFB-25 (self-powered weapon) and the Hughes Helicopters ' Ordnance Division (externally-powered,) under the Summa Corporation as the Vehicle Rapid-Fire Weapons System-Successor , or VRFWS-S . This was essentially a power-driven gun firing similar 20 mm ammunition to the HS.820, the power-driven mechanism

1177-459: A core of depleted uranium . Depleted-uranium penetrators have the advantage of being pyrophoric and self-sharpening on impact, resulting in intense heat and energy focused on a minimal area of the target's armour. Some rounds also use explosive or incendiary tips to aid in the penetration of thicker armour. High explosive incendiary/armour piercing ammunition combines a tungsten carbide penetrator with an incendiary and explosive tip. Energy

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1284-636: A gun, the 7.5 cm fired by the Kw.K.37 L/24 of the Panzer IV tank and the Stug III self-propelled gun (7.5 cm Gr.38 Hl/A, later editions B and C). In mid-1941, Germany started producing HEAT rifle grenades, first issued to paratroopers and by 1942 to regular army units. In 1943, the Püppchen , Panzerschreck and Panzerfaust were introduced. The Panzerfaust and Panzerschreck or 'tank terror' gave

1391-402: A hand crank and a trigger pedal. The Oerlikon KBA 25mm cannon has been designed for integration in various types of mounts, small size and low weight offering various integration possibilities such as: The various types of available ammunition combined with the unique Instant Ammunition Selection Device and selectable rates of fire support any type of operational use. At the turn of 1964-65,

1498-418: A handheld weapon, thereby dramatically altering the nature of mobile operations. During World War II, weapons using HEAT warheads were known as having a hollow charge or shaped charge warhead. Claims for priority of invention are difficult to resolve due to subsequent historic interpretations, secrecy, espionage, and international commercial interest. Shaped-charge warheads were promoted internationally by

1605-472: A hardened steel plate at high velocity imparted significant force to the projectile and standard armour-piercing shells had a tendency to shatter instead of penetrating, especially at oblique angles, so shell designers added a mild steel cap to the nose of the shells. The more flexible mild steel would deform on impact and reduce the shock transmitted to the projectile body. Shell design varied, with some fitted with hollow caps and others with solid ones. Since

1712-527: A large metal arrow. APFSDS sub-projectiles can thus achieve much higher length-to-diameter ratios than APDS-projectiles, which in turn allows for much higher sub-calibre ratios (smaller sub-calibre to the full-calibre), meaning that APFSDS-projectiles can have an extremely small frontal cross-section to decrease air-resistance , thus increasing velocity , while still having a long body to retain great mass by length, meaning more kinetic energy . Velocity and kinetic energy both dictates how much range and penetration

1819-408: A large-calibre anti-tank gun, because of the high mass of the shot, its rigidity, short overall length, and thick body. The APS uses fragmentation warheads or projected plates, and both are designed to defeat the two most common anti-armour projectiles in use today: HEAT and kinetic energy penetrator . Defeating HEAT projectiles can occur by damaging or detonating their explosive filling, or by damaging

1926-608: A larger breech assembly, a high efficiency muzzle brake , longer recoil , an integral round counter, an extended life firing pin and spring, and a triple-spring drive clutch. Upgraded weapons were first put to use on the M2A3 Bradley, the fourth version of the M2 Bradley fighting vehicle. In 1977, the U. S. Navy realized that it needed a replacement for the Oerlikon 20 mm Mk 16 series of guns . In 1986, this requirement

2033-469: A much reduced armour penetrating ability. The filling was detonated by a rear-mounted delay fuze. The explosive used in APHE projectiles needs to be highly insensitive to shock to prevent premature detonation. The US forces normally used the explosive Explosive D , otherwise known as ammonium picrate, for this purpose. Other combatant forces of the period used various explosives, suitably desensitized (usually by

2140-896: A newer version, the Typhoon Weapon System designated Mk 38 Mod 2 , which is remotely operated and includes an electronic optical sight, laser range-finder, FLIR, and a more reliable feeding system, enhancing the weapon system's capabilities and accuracy. In 2006 the Sri Lanka Navy added the M242 to its fleet of fast attack craft . The system is also in use by the Republic of Singapore Navy 's Formidable -class frigates and Endurance -class landing platform dock ships and were deployed as part of coalition forces' port security efforts in Iraq as well as anti-piracy roles in

2247-402: A remote controlled SHORAD / multifunctional turret, designed for integration with modern wheeled or tracked armoured fighting vehicles. The MANGART 25 turret is designed to mount a 25mm Rheinmetall KBA (25x137mm) autocannon paired with a high performance electro–optic system (cooled and un-cooled) and a co-axial machine gun provides fire support for the main cannon. The Aselsan STOP System

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2354-437: A series of bombs propelled by rockets to assist in penetrating the armour of ships and similar targets. Armour-piercing rifle and pistol cartridges are usually built around a penetrator of hardened steel , tungsten , or tungsten carbide , and such cartridges are often called "hard-core bullets". Rifle armour-piercing ammunition generally carries its hardened penetrator within a copper or cupronickel jacket, similar to

2461-640: A shaped charge liner or fuzing system. Defeating kinetic energy projectiles can occur by inducing changes in yaw or pitch or by fracturing the rod. M242 Bushmaster The M242 Bushmaster chain gun is a 25 mm (25×137mm) single-barrel chain-driven autocannon . It is used extensively by the U.S. military , such as in the Bradley fighting vehicle , as well as by other NATO members and some other nations in ground combat vehicles and various watercraft. Hughes Helicopters in Culver City, California,

2568-403: A shell version. They had been using APHE since the invention of the 1.5% high-explosive Palliser shell in the 1870s and 1880s, and understood the tradeoffs between reliability, damage, percentage of high explosive, and penetration, and deemed reliability and penetration to be most important for tank use. Naval APHE projectiles of this period, being much larger used a bursting charge of about 1–3% of

2675-499: A shock-buffering cap is placed between the core and the outer ballistic shell as with APC rounds. However, because the round is lighter but still the same overall size it has poorer ballistic qualities, and loses velocity and accuracy at longer ranges. The APCR was superseded by the APDS, which dispensed with the outer light alloy shell once the round had left the barrel. The concept of a heavy, small-diameter penetrator encased in light metal

2782-419: A small calibre and very high velocity. The entire projectile is not normally made of the same material as the penetrator because the physical characteristics that make a good penetrator (i.e. extremely tough, hard metal) make the material equally harmful to the barrel of the gun firing the cartridge. Most modern active protection systems (APS) are unlikely to be able to defeat full-calibre AP rounds fired from

2889-410: A smaller but dense penetrating body within a larger shell, firing at a very-high muzzle velocity . Modern penetrators are long rods of dense material like tungsten or depleted uranium (DU) that further improve the terminal ballistics. The late 1850s saw the development of the ironclad warship , which carried wrought iron armour of considerable thickness. This armour was practically immune to both

2996-413: A type of shaped charge used to defeat armoured vehicles. They are very efficient at defeating plain steel armour but less so against later composite and reactive armour . The effectiveness of such shells is independent of velocity, and hence the range: it is as effective at 1000 metres as at 100 metres. This is because HEAT shells do not lose penetrating ability over distance. The speed can even be zero in

3103-632: A variant allows the operator to aim and fire anti-tank missiles. Current operators includes Italy , Poland and Romania . OTO Melara has also developed the OTO SINGLE 25mm KBA as a stabilized, electric servo-drive assisted weapon station, for naval applications with 252 ready-to-fire rounds made to neutralize targets in the Anti Surface Warfare, particularly in the Asymmetric Warfare or Mine Defence scenarios and thanks to

3210-416: Is 200 rounds per minute. The weapon has an effective range of 2,000 metres (6,600  ft ), depending on the type of ammunition used. With over 11,000 units sold worldwide, it is one of the most successful modern autocannons. Unlike most automatic firearms , the M242 does not depend on gas or recoil to actuate its firing system. Instead, it uses a 1 hp (0.75 kW) DC motor , positioned in

3317-591: Is a saboted sub-calibre high-sectional density projectile, typically known as a long rod penetrator (LRP), which has been outfitted with fixed fins at the back end for ballistic-stabilization (so called aerodynamic drag stabilization). The fin-stabilisation allows the APFSDS sub-projectiles to be much longer in relation to its sub-calibre thickness compared to the very similar spin-stabilized ammunition type APDS (armour-piercing discarding sabot). Projectiles using spin-stabilization ( longitudinal axis rotation ) requires

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3424-521: Is a projectile which has a core of high-density hard material, such as tungsten carbide , surrounded by a full-bore shell of a lighter material (e.g., an aluminium alloy). However, the low sectional density of the APCR resulted in high aerodynamic drag . Tungsten compounds such as tungsten carbide were used in small quantities of inhomogeneous and discarded sabot round, but that element was in short supply in most places. Most APCR projectiles are shaped like

3531-583: Is a turret system with Oerlikon KBA developed to be used against close and asymmetric threats on warships, coast guard boats, landing ships and other ships in order to contribute to increasing the defense capabilities of modern armies. It is included in a group of the Stabilized Machine Gun Platform (STAMP) System in the family of Stabilized Weapon Systems. The Aselsan NEFER-L is a remote controlled weapon station (RCWS) can be mounted on 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 wheeled or tracked vehicles and

3638-633: Is a type of projectile designed to penetrate armour protection, most often including naval armour , body armour , and vehicle armour . The first, major application of armour-piercing projectiles was to defeat the thick armour carried on many warships and cause damage to their lightly armoured interiors. From the 1920s onwards, armour-piercing weapons were required for anti-tank warfare . AP rounds smaller than 20 mm are intended for lightly armoured targets such as body armour, bulletproof glass , and lightly armoured vehicles. As tank armour improved during World War II , anti-vehicle rounds began to use

3745-428: Is added (APC-T). An armour-piercing projectile must withstand the shock of punching through armour plating . Projectiles designed for this purpose have a greatly strengthened body with a specially hardened and shaped nose. One common addition to later projectiles is the use of a softer ring or cap of metal on the nose known as a penetrating cap, or armour-piercing cap . This lowers the initial shock of impact to prevent

3852-486: Is also pyrophoric and may become opportunistically incendiary, especially as the round shears past the armour exposing non-oxidized metal, but both the metal's fragments and dust contaminate the battlefield with toxic hazards. The less toxic WHAs are preferred in most countries except the US and Russia. Armour-piercing bombs dropped by aircraft were used during World War II against capital and other armoured ships. Among

3959-408: Is concentrated by using a reduced-diameter tungsten shot, surrounded by a lightweight outer carrier, the sabot (a French word for a wooden shoe ). This combination allows the firing of a smaller diameter (thus lower mass/aerodynamic resistance/penetration resistance) projectile with a larger area of expanding-propellant "push", thus a greater propelling force and resulting kinetic energy. Once outside

4066-470: Is developed primarily for use against armored land targets. In the side of the main cannon a co-axial machine gun like 7,62mm provides fire support to the Oerlikon KBA. OTO Melara (today LEONARDO ) has developed a two-man turret for armored vehicles called HITFIST. The turret is designed to mount a 25mm Oerlikon KBA or 30mm ATK Mk44 autocannon . The main armament may mount a co-axial machine gun,

4173-648: Is increased velocity for the projectile. However, projectile impact against armour at higher velocity causes greater levels of shock. Materials have characteristic maximum levels of shock capacity, beyond which they may shatter, or otherwise disintegrate. At relatively high impact velocities, steel is no longer an adequate material for armour-piercing rounds. Tungsten and tungsten alloys are suitable for use in even higher-velocity armour-piercing rounds, due to their very high shock tolerance and shatter resistance, and to their high melting and boiling temperatures. They also have very high density. Aircraft and tank rounds sometimes use

4280-877: Is normally contained between the cap and penetrating nose, within a hollow at the rear, or a combination of both. If the projectile also uses a tracer , the rear cavity is often used to house the tracer compound. For larger-calibre projectiles, the tracer may instead be contained within an extension of the rear sealing plug. Common abbreviations for solid (non-composite/hardcore) cannon-fired shot are; AP , AP-T , API and API-T ; where "T" stands for "tracer" and "I" for "incendiary". More complex, composite projectiles containing explosives and other ballistic devices tend to be referred to as armour-piercing shells. Early WWII-era uncapped armour-piercing ( AP ) projectiles fired from high-velocity guns were able to penetrate about twice their calibre at close range (100 m). At longer ranges (500–1,000 m), this dropped 1.5–1.1 calibres due to

4387-674: Is standard equipment on the U. S. Army M2 and M3 Bradley fighting vehicles; it is also in use on the LAV-25 . Before the project was cancelled, the Mk44 Bushmaster II 30 mm chain gun (a successor to the M242) was used on the Marine Corps' Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV). The M242 is also a popular choice of primary armament for armored fighting vehicles manufactured around the world, such as Singapore's Bionix AFVs and as

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4494-403: Is the initial full-bore caliber, but the outer shell is deformed as it passes through the taper. Flanges or studs are swaged down in the tapered section so that as it leaves the muzzle the projectile has a smaller overall cross-section. This gives it better flight characteristics with a higher sectional density, and the projectile retains velocity better at longer ranges than an undeformed shell of

4601-552: The 4.2 cm Pak 41 and 7.5 cm Pak 41 . Although HE rounds were also put into service, they weighed only 93 grams and had low effectiveness. The German taper was a fixed part of the barrel. In contrast, the British used the Littlejohn squeeze-bore adaptor , which could be attached or removed as necessary. The adaptor extended the usefulness of armoured cars and light tanks, which could not be upgraded with any gun larger than

4708-998: The Canadian Army , the Royal Canadian Navy , the Australian Army , the Royal Australian Navy , the Israeli Navy , the Philippine Navy , the Philippine Army , the Singapore Army , and the Republic of Singapore Navy as well as several others, including since 2023 the Armed Forces of Ukraine . The wide usage has resulted in several variations and modifications on the standard M242 weapon system. The M242

4815-537: The Gulf of Aden . Aside from that, the Singapore Police Coast Guard 's new coastal patrol craft (NCPC) has adopted the system as its main armament. The Mod 3 updates electronics and adds a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun with a 570-round-per-minute rate of fire. Turkish made Aselsan STOP stabilized weapon station can be fitted with an M242 Bushmaster. BAE and Boeing teamed together after

4922-754: The Hispano-Suiza HS.820 20 mm autocannon. During the testing phase, the Army eventually rejected the XM701 and started work on a newer design known as the XM723. Soon after the XM800 was also rejected. This led to the combination of the two programs, moving the scout role to the cavalry version of the XM723. At the same time, the M139 proved to be disappointing and a contract for a new weapon to replace it started as

5029-1128: The NATO equivalents thereof. Primarily though, it fires six types of rounds: the M791, M792, M793, M910, MK210, and M919. The M242 is currently in use by the United States Army , the United States Navy , the United States Marine Corps , the United States Coast Guard , the New Zealand Army , the Royal New Zealand Navy , the Norwegian Army , the Spanish Army , the Sri Lanka Navy , the Swiss Army ,

5136-498: The Rafael Overhead Weapon Station-25 mounted on upgraded M113A2 Ultra IFVs . Work on an upgraded weapon began in 1990. In the upgrade program, all three major systems and seven minor systems were improved. The modifications began with introducing a chrome-lined barrel, an enhanced feeder, and an enhanced receiver. The weapon systems also received minor upgrades such as quick-detachable link covers,

5243-561: The US Army started the ambitious Bushmaster project as an offshoot of the MICV-65 program to replace the M113 armored personnel carrier with a new infantry fighting vehicle. The Bushmaster project aimed to create small-caliber cannon for the US Army . The Bushmaster project were intended to meet the requirements for the armament of infantry fighting vehicles of the 80's and 90's: In 1960,

5350-526: The bombs used by the Imperial Japanese Navy in the attack on Pearl Harbor were 800 kg (1,800 lb) armour-piercing bombs, modified from 41-centimeter (16.1 in) naval shells, which succeeded in sinking the battleship USS  Arizona . The Luftwaffe ' s PC 1400 armour-piercing bomb and the derived Fritz X precision-guided bomb were able to penetrate 130 mm (5.1 in) of armour. The Luftwaffe also developed

5457-406: The receiver to drive the chain and dual-feed system. This system uses sprockets and extractor grooves to feed, load, fire, extract, and eject rounds. A system of clutches provides for an alternate sprocket to engage and thus allows the gunner to switch between armor-piercing and high-explosive rounds . The weapon assembly consists of three parts: the barrel assembly, the feeder assembly, and

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5564-407: The 25mm project were that the gun had to be fully automatic and actively locked, be operated by gas and with a rotating bolt head, and use a dual-belt selective feed system allowing a quick and easy switch between different ammunition types. In parallel Oerlikon-Bührle assumed responsibility for developing the new 25x137mm ammunition and the interior ballistics of the TRW-6425. The first prototype

5671-587: The American company TRW (Thomson, Ramo-Wooldridge Inc.) soon to become TRW Inc. developed the experimental 25x137mm gun as part of the Bushmaster project. The new TRW project was to design an automatic cannon around the experimental 25mm cartridge under the company internal designation of "TRW-6425". The project leader was engineer Eugene Stoner , the designer of the famous ArmaLite AR-10 , AR-15 , and M16A1 family of assault rifles. TRW's requirements for

5778-489: The British. The only British APHE projectile for tank use in this period was the Shell AP, Mk1 for the 2 pdr anti-tank gun and this was dropped as it was found that the fuze tended to separate from the body during penetration. Even when the fuze did not separate and the system functioned correctly, damage to the interior was little different from the solid shot, and so did not warrant the additional time and cost of producing

5885-500: The Bushmaster project—full name U.S. Army Vehicle Rapid Fire Weapons System (Bushmaster)—was restarted, the PFB-25 (Philco-Ford Bushmaster 25mm) was selected as one of the self-powered gun candidates. Since then, Philco-Ford has further developed the PFB-25. During the trials, however, the original American PFB-25 prototypes displayed a number of basic functional deficiencies. This prompted Oerlikon to undertake further development work on

5992-624: The German infantryman the ability to destroy any tank on the battlefield from 50–150 m with relative ease of use and training, unlike the UK PIAT. The first British HEAT weapon to be developed and issued was a rifle grenade using a 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 -inch (63.5 mm) cup launcher on the end of the barrel; the British No. 68 AT grenade issued to the British army in 1940. By 1943, the PIAT

6099-409: The KBA. The resulting system modifications added functional reliability that allowed the trials to be completed successfully in 1970. When the first prototype KBA cannons became available, suitable gun turrets had also to be provided. Oerlikon extensively reworked the original American TRW 6425 design. Perhaps the only remaining elements of the original design in the KBA were the 25x137 mm cartridge and

6206-534: The QF 2 pdr. Although a full range of shells and shot could be used, changing an adaptor during a battle is usually impractical. The APCNR was superseded by the APDS design which was compatible with non-tapered barrels. An important armour-piercing development was the armour-piercing discarding sabot ( APDS ). An early version was developed by engineers working for the French Edgar Brandt company , and

6313-532: The Swiss inventor Henry Mohaupt , who exhibited the weapon before World War II. Before 1939, Mohaupt demonstrated his invention to British and French ordnance authorities. During the war, the French communicated the technology to the U.S. Ordnance Department, who then invited Mohaupt to the US, where he worked as a consultant on the bazooka project. By mid-1940, Germany had introduced the first HEAT round to be fired by

6420-399: The aim of the bursting charge was to aid the number of fragments produced by the shell after armour penetration, the energy of the fragments coming from the speed of the shell after being fired from a high velocity anti-tank gun, as opposed to its bursting charge. There were some notable exceptions to this, with naval calibre shells put to use as anti-concrete and anti-armour shells, albeit with

6527-603: The autocannon for the Army's new IFV. Within the framework of the product support service Oerlikon improves the product and adapts it regularly to the latest requirements. An important step forward was made in 1982/83 when the ammunition penetration performance range of the 25 mm APDS-T (sub-caliber) round was increased 150% from 1000 to 2500 m. A wide range of ammunition has been developed for this weapon specifically developed to engage and defeat both ground and air targets. The ammunition complies with all handling and operational safety requirements according to MIL-STD's, and

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6634-542: The barrel, the sabot is stripped off by a combination of centrifugal force and aerodynamic force, giving the shot low drag in flight. For a given calibre, the use of APDS ammunition can effectively double the anti-tank performance of a gun. Armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot ( APFSDS ) in English nomenclature , alternatively called "arrow projectile" or "dart projectile" ( German : Pfeil-Geschoss , Swedish : pilprojektil , Norwegian : pilprosjektil ),

6741-878: The best-performance penetrating caps were not very aerodynamic, an additional ballistic cap was later fitted to reduce drag. The resulting rounds were classified as armour-piercing capped ballistic capped (APCBC). The hollow ballistic cap gave the rounds a sharper point which reduced drag and broke away on impact. Semi-armour-piercing ( SAP ) shot is a solid shot made of mild steel (instead of high-carbon steel in AP shot). They act as low-cost ammunition with worse penetration characteristics to contemporary high carbon steel projectiles. Armour-piercing composite rigid ( APCR ) in British nomenclature , high-velocity armour-piercing ( HVAP ) in US nomenclature, alternatively called "hard core projectile" ( German : Hartkernprojektil ) or simply "core projectile" ( Swedish : kärnprojektil ),

6848-531: The bursting charge. Armour-piercing high-explosive ( APHE ) shells are armour-piercing shells containing an explosive filling, which were initially termed "shell", distinguishing them from non-explosive "shot". This was largely a matter of British usage, relating to the 1877 invention of the first of the type, the Palliser shell with 1.5% high explosive (HE). By the start of World War II, armour-piercing shells with bursting charges were sometimes distinguished by

6955-409: The case where a soldier places a magnetic mine onto a tank's armour plate. A HEAT charge is most effective when detonated at a certain, optimal distance in front of a target and HEAT shells are usually distinguished by a long, thin nose probe protruding in front of the rest of the shell and detonating it at a correct distance, e.g., PIAT bomb. HEAT shells are less effective when spun, as when fired from

7062-521: The company into the same buildings previously used by TRW Inc. and hired many of their former employees. At least six models of the TRW-6425 automatic cannons were built. Following the closure of the TRW Jet and Ordnance Division, the Philco-Ford company's Aeronutronic Division became interested in the TRW-6425 cannon project, bought the rights to the project and began work on the weapon. When

7169-491: The conflict, APCBC fired at close range (100 m) from large-calibre, high-velocity guns (75–128 mm) were able to penetrate a much greater thickness of armour in relation to their calibre (2.5 times) and also a greater thickness (2–1.75 times) at longer ranges (1,500–2,000 m). In an effort to gain better aerodynamics, AP rounds were given ballistic caps to reduce drag and improve impact velocities at medium to long range. The hollow ballistic cap would break away when

7276-498: The early 2000s onwards, rifled APFSDS mainly exist for small- to medium-calibre (under 60 mm) weapon systems, as such mainly fire conventional full-calibre ammunition and thus need rifling. APFSDS projectiles are usually made from high-density metal alloys, such as tungsten heavy alloys (WHA) or depleted uranium (DU); maraging steel was used for some early Soviet projectiles. DU alloys are cheaper and have better penetration than others, as they are denser and self-sharpening. Uranium

7383-546: The functional reliability, durability and firing precision of the KBA autocannon. In 1971 sufficient progress had been made for the weapon system to fulfill the strict specifications laid down and for large-scale deliveries to the Netherlands to begin. In 1977, due to an internal decision, the US Army selected the externally-powered Hughes M242 from Hughes Helicopters Ordnance Division as the Bushmaster. The M242 became

7490-438: The gun from weather and allows for easier access to internal components through large access panels. The upgrade mounts a larger Alliant Techsystems Mk44 Bushmaster II 30 mm cannon for a 500-meter range increase, as well as a coaxial .50 caliber M2 heavy machine gun . Elevation is increased to +75 degrees for engaging UAVs and helicopters, and ammunition storage is greater at 420 30 mm rounds. Other features include

7597-426: The high rate of fire of the 25mm KBA cannon also offers a capability in very close Anti Air Defense. The OTO SINGLE 25mm KBA turret is available in both unmanned or manned configurations. The KBA 25mm Automatic Cannon is installed in many other weapon station designs produced by different defense companies, here below a list of the most famous: Armor-piercing shot and shell Armour-piercing ammunition ( AP )

7704-447: The high-explosive filling. Advanced and precise methods of differentially hardening a projectile were developed during this period, especially by the German armament industry. The resulting projectiles change gradually from high hardness (low toughness) at the head to high toughness (low hardness) at the rear and were much less likely to fail on impact. APHE shells for tank guns, although used by most forces of this period, were not used by

7811-462: The jacket which would surround lead in a conventional projectile . Upon impact on a hard target, the copper case is destroyed, but the penetrator continues its motion and penetrates the target. Armour-piercing ammunition for pistols has also been developed and uses a design similar to the rifle ammunition. Some small ammunition, such as the FN 5.7mm round, is inherently capable of piercing armour, being of

7918-716: The majority of armored vehicles it is likely to encounter, up to and including some light tanks , including an encounter during the war in Ukraine where a Russian T-90M main battle tank was forced to be abandoned. The ammunition used in the M242 may also be used in a variety of weapons such as the GAU-12 Equalizer , the French Giat M811 , or the Swiss Oerlikon KBA weapon system. It has the capability to fire U.S. manufactured ammunition as well as

8025-429: The method of blocking the chamber by turning the bolt (a novelty for Oerlikon development; earlier Oerlikon systems had sliding bolts with locking lugs). Eugene Stoner's classic TRW-6425 cannon automatic gas valve drive was also comprehensively changed. The complete system—cannon, hand-driven turret and ammunition—underwent detailed firing trials between 1969 and 1971. Oerlikon devoted huge development efforts to improve

8132-481: The place of the Palliser shot. At first, these forged-steel rounds were made of ordinary carbon steel , but as armour improved in quality, the projectiles followed suit. During the 1890s and subsequently, cemented steel armour became commonplace, initially only on the thicker armour of warships. To combat this, the projectile was formed of steel—forged or cast—containing both nickel and chromium . Another change

8239-445: The point from deflecting away from the armour face. Shot and shell used before and during World War I were generally cast from special chromium steel that was melted in pots. They were forged into shape afterward and then thoroughly annealed , the core bored at the rear and the exterior turned up in a lathe . The projectiles were finished in a similar manner to others described above. The final, or tempering treatment, which gave

8346-412: The poor ballistic shape and higher drag of the smaller-diameter early projectiles. In January 1942 a process was developed by Arthur E. Schnell for 20 mm and 37 mm armour piercing rounds to press bar steel under 500 tons of pressure that made more even "flow-lines" on the tapered nose of the projectile, which allowed the shell to follow a more direct nose first path to the armour target. Later in

8453-586: The primary method of conducting anti-tank warfare. They are still in use in artillery above 50 mm calibre, but the tendency is to use semi-armour-piercing high-explosive ( SAPHE ) shells, which have less anti-armour capability but far greater anti-materiel and anti-personnel effects. These still have ballistic caps, hardened bodies and base fuzes , but tend to have far thinner body material and much higher explosive contents (4–15%). Common terms (and acronyms) for modern armour-piercing and semi-armour-piercing shells are: High-explosive anti-tank ( HEAT ) shells are

8560-444: The projectile hit the target. These rounds were classified as armour-piercing ballistic capped (APBC) rounds. Armour-piercing, capped projectiles had been developed in the early 1900s, and were in service with both the British and German fleets during World War I. The shells generally consisted of a nickel steel body that contained the burster charge and was fitted with a hardened steel nose intended to penetrate heavy armour. Striking

8667-433: The projectile mass too light for sufficient kinetic energy (range and penetration), which in turn limits how aerodynamic the projectile can be (smaller calibre means less air-resistance ), thus limiting velocity , etc, etc. To get away from this, APFSDS sub-projectiles instead use aerodynamic drag stabilization (no longitudinal axis rotation), by means of fins attached to the base of the sub-projectile, making it look like

8774-421: The projectile will have. This long thin shape also has increased sectional density , in turn increasing penetration potential. Large calibre (105+ mm) APFSDS projectiles are usually fired from smoothbore (unrifled) barrels, as the fin-stabilization negates the need for spin-stabilization through rifling . Basic APFSDS projectiles can traditionally not be fired from rifled guns, as the immense spinning caused by

8881-436: The receiver assembly. The three-part structure makes it possible for a two-person team to install or remove the system (under ideal conditions) despite its considerable total weight. The M242 weapon system has both electrical and manual fire control and can be operated electrically or manually. The gunner can choose from three rates of fire: The Bushmaster project started as an offshoot of the US Army 's MICV-65 program that

8988-685: The required hardness/toughness profile (differential hardening) to the projectile body, was a closely guarded secret. The rear cavity of these projectiles was capable of receiving a small bursting charge of about 2% of the weight of the complete projectile; when this is used, the projectile is called a shell, not a shot. The high-explosive filling of the shell, whether fuzed or unfuzed, had a tendency to explode on striking armour in excess of its ability to perforate. During World War II, projectiles used highly alloyed steels containing nickel -chromium- molybdenum , although in Germany, this had to be changed to

9095-573: The rifling damages and destroys the fins of the projectile, etc. This can however be solved by the use of "slipping driving bands" on the sabot ( driving bands which rotates freely from the sabot). Such ammunition was introduced during the 1970s and 1980s for rifled high-calibre tank guns and similar, such as the Western Royal Ordnance L7 and the Eastern D-10T . However, as such guns have been taken out of service since

9202-514: The rigid projectile from shattering, as well as aiding the contact between the target armour and the nose of the penetrator to prevent the projectile from bouncing off in glancing shots. Ideally, these caps have a blunt profile, which led to the use of a further thin aerodynamic cap to improve long-range ballistics . Armour-piercing shells may contain a small explosive charge known as a "bursting charge". Some smaller- calibre armour-piercing shells have an inert filling or an incendiary charge in place of

9309-454: The round cast-iron cannonballs then in use and to the recently-developed explosive shell . The first solution to this problem was effected by Major Sir W. Palliser , who, with the Palliser shot , invented a method of hardening the head of the pointed cast-iron shot. By casting the projectile point downwards and forming the head in an iron mold, the hot metal was suddenly chilled and became intensely hard (resistant to deformation through

9416-520: The same weight. As with the APCR, the kinetic energy of the round is concentrated at the core of impact. The initial velocity of the round is greatly increased by the decrease of barrel cross-sectional area toward the muzzle, resulting in a commensurate increase in velocity of the expanding propellant gases. The Germans deployed their initial design as a light anti-tank weapon, 2.8 cm schwere Panzerbüchse 41 , early in World War II , and followed by

9523-499: The standard APCBC round (although some of the German Pzgr. 40 and some Soviet designs resemble stubby arrows), but the projectile is lighter: up to half the weight of a standard AP round of the same calibre. The lighter weight allows a higher muzzle velocity. The kinetic energy of the round is concentrated in the core and hence on a smaller impact area, improving the penetration of the target armour. To prevent shattering on impact,

9630-576: The suffix "HE"; APHE was common in anti-tank shells of 75 mm calibre and larger, due to the similarity with the much larger naval armour-piercing shells already in common use. As the war progressed, ordnance design evolved so that the bursting charges in APHE became ever smaller to non-existent, especially in smaller calibre shells, e.g. Panzergranate 39 with only 0.2% high-explosive filling. The primary projectile types for modern anti-tank warfare are discarding-sabot kinetic energy penetrators , such as APDS. Full-calibre armour-piercing shells are no longer

9737-455: The target and mission objectives. Originally, the system was armed with a 10 kW laser, but in April 2017 BAE announced they had increased power to 60 kW. In April 2012, BAE unveiled a potential version of the system mount, developed in collaboration with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems . It is visually distinctive from previous versions with its stealthy housing, which also protects

9844-447: The target's armour thickness. The penetrator is a pointed mass of high-density material that is designed to retain its shape and carry the maximum possible amount of energy as deeply as possible into the target. Generally, the penetration capability of an armour-piercing round increases with the projectile's kinetic energy, and with concentration of that energy in a small area. Thus, an efficient means of achieving increased penetrating power

9951-462: The use of waxes mixed with the explosive). Cap suffixes (C, BC, CBC) are traditionally only applied to AP, SAP, APHE and SAPHE-type projectiles (see below) configured with caps, for example "APHEBC" (armour-piercing high explosive ballistic capped), though sometimes the HE-suffix on capped APHE and SAPHE projectiles gets omitted (example: APHECBC > APCBC). If fitted with a tracer, a "-T" suffix

10058-407: The weapon, resulting in the enhanced 25 mm gun . To date, more than 10,500 weapons are in service. One of the major reasons for this popularity is the extremely reliable nature of the weapon. It has a rating of 22,000 mean rounds between failure (MRBF), much higher than many comparable devices. A wide range of ammunition has been developed for this weapon, providing it with the capability to defeat

10165-423: The weight of the complete projectile, but in anti-tank use, the much smaller and higher velocity shells used only about 0.5% e.g. Panzergranate 39 with only 0.2% high-explosive filling. This was due to much higher armour penetration requirements for the size of shell (e.g. over 2.5 times calibre in anti-tank use compared to below 1 times calibre for naval warfare). Therefore, in most APHE shells put to anti-tank use

10272-664: Was attempting to introduce a new infantry fighting vehicle to replace their existing M113 armored personnel carriers . Part of this program called for a new scout vehicle to replace the M114 , a parallel development taking place under the XM800 Armored Reconnaissance Scout Vehicle . Both the XM800 and the cavalry version of the XM701 MICV vehicles were armed with the M139 , a US-built version of

10379-624: Was developed; a combination of a HEAT warhead and a spigot mortar delivery system. While cumbersome, the weapon at last allowed British infantry to engage armour at range; the earlier magnetic hand-mines and grenades required them to approach suicidally close. During World War II, the British referred to the Munroe effect as the cavity effect on explosives . Armour-piercing solid shot for cannons may be simple, or composite, solid projectiles but tend to also combine some form of incendiary capability with that of armour-penetration. The incendiary compound

10486-547: Was fielded in two calibres (75 mm/57 mm for the 75 mm Mle1897/33 anti-tank gun , 37 mm/25 mm for several 37 mm gun types) just before the French-German armistice of 1940. The Edgar Brandt engineers, having been evacuated to the United Kingdom, joined ongoing APDS development efforts there, culminating in significant improvements to the concept and its realization. The APDS projectile type

10593-797: Was further developed in the United Kingdom between 1941 and 1944 by L. Permutter and S. W. Coppock, two designers with the Armaments Research Department. In mid-1944 the APDS projectile was first introduced into service for the UK's QF 6-pdr anti-tank gun and later in September 1944 for the QF-17 pdr anti-tank gun. The idea was to use a stronger and denser penetrator material with smaller size and hence less drag, to allow increased impact velocity and armour penetration. The armour-piercing concept calls for more penetration capability than

10700-400: Was later employed in small-arms armour-piercing incendiary and HEIAP rounds. Armour-piercing, composite non-rigid ( APCNR ) in British nomenclature , alternatively called "flange projectile" ( Swedish : flänsprojektil ) or less commonly "armour-piercing super-velocity", is a sub-calibre projectile used in squeeze bore weapons (also known as "tapered bore" weapons) – weapons featuring

10807-468: Was produced in 22 months and began test firing in November 1965 from an Ml 14 vehicle. In December the prototype was fired from an Austrian Armored Personnel Carrier. An early version was tested by a number of countries including Great Britain and France. At the beginning of 1967, technical tests and firing trials were carried out with two TRW-6425 prototype cannons followed by the first demonstrations for

10914-521: Was satisfied with the introduction of the Mk 38 Mod 0 weapons system. A derivative of the M242 system, the Mk 38 consists of the M242 chain gun and the Mk 88 Mod 0 machine gun mount. It provides ships with defensive and offensive gunfire capability for the engagement of a variety of surface targets. Designed primarily as a close-range defensive measure, it provides protection against patrol boats , floating mines , and various shore-based targets. Recently, several US Navy platforms have been outfitted with

11021-400: Was subjected to intensive trials by NATO member countries prior to its introduction and standardization as NATO 25mmx137 ammunition. The current 25x137mm ammunition family consists in different combat (air - ground) and training rounds types as follow: These are the characteristics of the best-known KBA autocannon weapons stations in use and presently in production: VALHALLA MANGART 25 is

11128-635: Was tested several times at Aberdeen Proving Ground , included was a Military Potential Test from March 1968 to March 1969. Before the U.S. tests were completed the US Army paused the new IFV project due to the Vietnam War situation. At the end of 1969 TRW ceased work on the TRW 6425 cannon. In 1970 the Jet and Ordnance Division of TRW Inc. was closed and Stoner, together with Robert Bihun, launched ARES Inc. As ARES Inc. quickly outgrew Stoner's garage, they moved

11235-415: Was the introduction of a soft metal cap over the point of the shell – so called "Makarov tips" invented by Russian admiral Stepan Makarov . This "cap" increased penetration by cushioning some of the impact shock and preventing the armour-piercing point from being damaged before it struck the armour face, or the body of the shell from shattering. It could also help penetration from an oblique angle by keeping

11342-660: Was the original designer and manufacturer. As of 2019 , Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems produces the gun. It is an externally-powered, chain-driven, single-barrel weapon that may be fired in semi-automatic, burst, or automatic modes. It is fed by a metallic link belt and has dual-feed capability. The term chain gun derives from the use of a roller chain that drives the bolt back and forth. The gun can destroy lightly armored vehicles and aerial targets (such as helicopters and other slow-flying aircraft). It can also apply suppression fire against exposed troops, dug-in positions, and occupied built-up areas. The standard rate of fire

11449-608: Was to ensure operation even in the case of a misfire. Progress on the VRFWS-S was slow, and eventually resulted in a switch to a much more powerful, 25 mm, round. Similar delays in the MICV program meant the ultimate vehicles descending from their efforts, the M2/M3 Bradley fighting vehicle, did not enter production until 1981, by which point the Bushmaster had matured. Since 1990, there have been several enhancements made upon

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