Mauser BK-27

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Mauser BK-27

The Mauser BK-27
Type Revolver cannon
Place of origin Germany
Service history
Used by See users
Production history
Designer Mauser (now Rheinmetall)
Designed 1976
Manufacturer Mauser (now Rheinmetall)
Produced 1977-present
Number built 3,100~
Specifications
Weight 100 kg (220 lb 7 oz)
Length 2.31 m (7 ft 7 in)
Barrel length 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Shell 27x145 mm
Caliber 27 mm (1.063 in) caliber
Barrels Single barrel
Action revolver
Rate of fire 1,000-1,700 rpm (+/- 100rpm), selectable
Muzzle velocity 1,100 m/s (3,600 ft/s)[1]

The BK 27 (also BK27 or BK-27) (German acronym for Bordkanone, "on-board cannon") is a 27 mm (1.063 in) caliber revolver cannon manufactured by Mauser (now part of Rheinmetall) of Germany. It was developed in the late 1960s for the MRCA (Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) program that ultimately became the Panavia Tornado.[2]

The BK 27 is a gas-operated cannon firing a new series of 27x145 mm projectiles with a typical weight of 260 g (9.2 oz). Most models use a linked feed system for the ammunition; however, the Eurofighter Typhoon makes use of a specially developed variant of the BK 27 that uses a linkless feed system instead, which is intended to improve reliability.[2]

Design

The Mauser BK 27 is used in the Panavia Tornado, the Alpha Jet, the JAS 39 Gripen, and the Eurofighter Typhoon. At one time the USAF was considering to license its production for the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter, but those plans have been cancelled in favour of the GAU-22/A.

Rheinmetall has also developed remote controlled naval versions, the MN 27 GS and the MLG 27 fully automatic naval guns, which are installed on many ships of the German Navy. 99 MLG 27s have been ordered by the German Navy so far.[3] The cannon is a single-barrel, high performance, breech-cylinder gun operated by a fully automatic electrically fired gas-operated system at a selective rate of 1000 or 1700 rounds per minute.[2] The Mauser BK 27 utilizes Pyrotechnic cocking charges to cycle the action.

Users

MLG 27 mounted on board an Elbe class replenishment ship of the German Navy
MLG 27 on board a Berlin class replenishment ship of the German Navy
 Austria
 Bolivia
 Cameroon
 Canada
 Czech Republic
 Germany
 Hungary
 Italy
 Portugal
 South Africa
 Saudi Arabia
 Sweden
 Spain
 Thailand
 United Kingdom
 United Arab Emirates

Specifications

Helicopter-mounted Mauser BK-27

Data from Jane's Information Group[2]

  • Type: single-barrel revolver cannon
  • Caliber: 27 mm x 145 (1.063 in)
  • Operation: revolver
  • Length: 2.31 m (7 ft 7 in)
  • Weight (complete): 100 kg (220 lb)
  • Rate of fire: 1,700 rpm (+/- 100rpm)
  • Muzzle velocity: 1,100 m/s (3,600 ft/s)
  • Muzzle energy: ~157,300 Joules
  • Projectile weight: 260 g (9.2 oz)

See also

References

Notes
  1. ↑ http://navweaps.com/Weapons/WNGER_27mm-145_mlg27.htm
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Ian, V. Hogg; Terry, J. Gander (1998). "Cannon - 20 to 30 mm cannon: 27 x 145 B ammunition (Switzerland)". Jane's Ammunition Handbook. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 9780710617897. 
  3. ↑ http://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/index.php?lang=2&fid=962

External links

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