GIAT 30
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The GIAT 30 is a series of 30mm cannon developed to replace the DEFA 550 series weapons on French military aircraft.
Introduced in the late 1980s, the GIAT 30 is a revolver cannon with electric ignition and automatic recocking. Unlike the DEFA cannon, the revolver chamber is electrically operated, rather than gas operated, improving both reliability and rate of fire.
Two versions of the GIAT 30 are offered:
- The GIAT 30 M781 is primarily intended for helicopter use and offered in several fixed, podded, and turreted installations. It is 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) long and weighing 65 kg (143 lb) complete. It is designed to fire the same 30 mm ammunition as the DEFA, with projectile weights varying from 244 g (8.6 oz) for HEI to 270 g (9.5 oz) for APHEI-SD. Typical muzzle velocity is 1,025 m/s (3,360 ft/s) with a rate of fire of 750 rounds per minute. Given its considerable recoil, it is typically used for single shots or controlled bursts rather than continuous fire. The 30 M781 is presently used on the Eurocopter Tiger, and is also offered for naval use as part of the NARWHAL (NAval Remote Weapon High Accurate and Light) system.
- The GIAT 30 M791 is intended for fighter aircraft such as the Dassault Rafale. It has a selectable rate of fire allowing cyclic rates of 300, 600, 1,500, or 2,500 rounds per minute. It can fire continuous bursts or controlled 0.5 or 1 second bursts. It uses a new range of 30x150 mm ammunition in a variety of types.
[edit] Specifications (GIAT 30/M791)
- Type: single-barrel automatic cannon
- Caliber: 30 mm x 150 (1.18 in)
- Operation: seven-chamber revolver
- Length: 2.4 m (7 ft 10.5 in)
- Weight (complete): 120 kg (265 lb)
- Rate of fire: 2,500 rpm
- Muzzle velocity: 1,025 m/s (3,360 ft/s)
- Projectile weight: 275 g (9.1 oz)
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