30mm M781
30M781
Overview
30mm M781
30mm M781 with protective muzzle cover seen on a Spanish air force Tiger HAD attack helicopter in 2014.
Source: Contando Estrelas -
© CC BY-SA 2.0
Origin
France
Type
Autocannon
Entered service
2005
Status
In service
Development
1990's
Developer
France
-
GIAT
Production
1990's - Present
Producer
France
-
GIAT / Nexter
Number produced
Several hundred (estimate)
Designations
M781 / 30M781
GIAT 30 / Nexter 30
GIAT 30 / Nexter 30
Notable users
France
Spain
Australia
Spain
Australia
Details
Facts
M781
General
Origin
France
Type
Autocannon
Barrel
Caliber
30x113mm NATO, electrically primed
Feed system
Single belt feed
Barrel length
1.17 m
Rifling
Yes, right hand twist
Muzzle brake
Multi-slotted muzzle brake
Muzzle velocity
810 m/s
Operation
Action
Electrically powered
Rate of fire
720 rpm
Recoil force
< 650 daN
Dimensions
Weight
56 kg
Length
1.92 m
Width
0.29 m
Height
0.24 m
Variants
List of M781 variants
30M781
Original version developed for use on the Tiger helicopter. This has a fixed 720 rpm rate of fire.
30M781 MPG
Land application of the 30M781. This has a selectable 225 rpm or 720 rpm rate of fire.
Media
30M781 MPG
A 30M781 MPG autocannon in an ARX 30 unmanned turret.
Source: KNDS
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
30mm M781
A 30mm M781 autocannon seen on a French Tigre attack helicopter at the Paris Air Show in 2025
Source: Ibex73
Copyright: CC BY 4.0
30mm M781
A 30mm M781 autocannon in THL-30 turret on display in 2007.
Source: David Monniaux
Copyright: CC BY-SA 3.0
30mm M781
Rear view of a 30mm M781 autocannon in a helicopter chin turret in 2014.
Source: Perrin JC
Copyright: CC BY 2.0
30mm M781
A 30mm M781 autocannon seen on a French Tigre attack helicopter in 2019.
Source: André Gerwing
Copyright: CC BY-SA 4.0
Related articles
30mm Hughes M230
Designed for helicopter use and also chambered in 30x113mm, the M781 is a direct competitor to the American M230 as used on the AH-64 Apache.