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30mm Oerlikon KCA



Introduction

Oerlikon KCA

An Oerlikon KCA autocannon on display in a Swedish museum.
Source: Flygvapenmuseum - © CC BY 4.0

Origin
Switzerland
Type
Autocannon
Entered service
1979 (on JA 37)
Status
In service
Development
1950's - 1960's
Developer
Switzerland - Oerlikon
Production
1970's - present
Producer
Switzerland - Oerlikon
United States - Hughes (planned, but not produced?)
Number produced
Produced in limited quantity
Designations
304-Rk (early project name)
akan m/75 (Swedish service)
GAU-9/A (proposed name for US service)
Notable users
Sweden - JA 37 Viggen
Germany - Skyranger 30

Variants

Oerlikon KCA

Original production model introduced in the early 1970's. Intended for aircraft use with single belt feed and 1.350 rpm cyclic rate of fire. Tested in various designs, but only adopted in ventral pod for JA-37 variant of the Viggen.

Oerlikon KCE-ABM

Further development by Rheinmetall for anti-aircraft use. Updated design with muzzle brake with attached muzzle velocity measurement and air burst fuze programmer. Selectable rate of fire of 1.200 rpm, 200 rpm and single shot. Offered in the Skyranger 30 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun.

Details

Facts Oerlikon KCA Oerlikon KCE-ABM
General
Origin
Switzerland
Type
Autocannon
Caliber
Caliber
30x173mm Oerlikon
Feed system
Single belt feed
Barrel length
1.98 m
Rifling
16 grooves, right hand progressive twist
Muzzle velocity
1.030 m/s
Operation
Action
Gas operated revolver cannon, four chambers
Power supply
28 volt DC
Rate of fire
1.350 rpm
Recoil force
12 kN (estimate)
Recoil stroke
16 mm (estimate)
Muzzle brake
No
Dimensions
Weight
136 kg
Length
2.69 m
Width
244 mm
Height
248 mm

Related articles

30mm GAU-8/A Avenger

The 30x173mm cartridge developed for the Oerlikon KCA is also used in the American GAU-8/A Avenger seven barrel autocannon.

Read more about 30mm GAU-8/A Avenger