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20mm Oerlikon GAM-BO1



Overview


20mm GAM-BO1

Side view of a 20mm GAM-BO1 mounted on a UK warship.
Source: Chase me ladies, I'm the Cavalry - © GNU Attribution - Share Alike license

Origin
United Kingdom
Type
Naval gun
Entered service
About 1985
Status
In service
Development
Early 1980's
Developer
United Kingdom - BMARC (British Manufacture and Research Company)
Switzerland - Oerlikon Contraves
Production
Mid 1980's - present
Producer
United Kingdom - BMARC
Designations
A41/820 (UK military service)
Notable users
United Kingdom

Description


Introduction

The GAM-B01 is a naval gun mount of UK origin. It was developed by BMARC in the early 1980's in response for a UK navy requirement for a light weapon for self-defense on naval warships. The GAM-B01 is a simple standalone mount for use against assault craft and aerial targets. One of the main benefits is its simplicity. It remains functional in high ECM environments and after sustaining battle damage.

20mm GAM-BO1

Sailor manning a 20mm GAM-BO1.
Source: www.naval-technology.com - © copyright lies with original owner

Design

The GAM-B01 is a large pedestal mount with a single 20mm Oerlikon KAA belt-fed autocannon. It is operated by a single person, who is strapped to the mount for a good sight picture at high angles. Other operators supply ammunition, or call for adjustments and spot targets using binoculars. The sight helps calculating lead against aerial targets.

Firepower

The GAM-B01 mount is fitted with a single gas operated Oerlikon KAA autocannon. Cyclic rate of fire is over 900 rpm. The mount holds a single 200 round belt of 20x128mm ammunition. Maximum range is 2 km against surface targets and 1.5 km versus aerial targets. The gun sight does provide a significant increased chance to hit against aerial targets. However, its use against jet aircraft and incoming missiles is limited. The effectiveness of the GAM-B01 does not come even close to a close-in weapon system. The advantage of the GAM-B01 is that it is an easy to install standalone system with increased firepower and range over a 12.7mm heavy machine gun.

Users

The GAM-B01 has been fitted since the mid 1980's to a wide range of frontline and support naval vessels in use with the Royal Navy. It has also been exported to several nations. Nowadays GAM-B01 naval mount is still available and actively marketed.

Details


Facts GAM-B01
General
Origin
United Kingdom
Type
Naval self-defense gun mount
Ordnance
Type
20mm Oerlikon KAA autocannon
Ammunition type
20x128mm Oerlikon
Rate of fire
900 - 1000 rpm
Range
2 km against surface targets
1.5 km against aerial targets
Muzzle velocity
1.050 m/s
Mount
Feed mechanism
Single belt feed
Ammunition
200 rounds on mount
Traverse
360°, manual
Elevation
-10° to +55°, manual
Operation
Crew
1 on mount, plus assistance off mount
Fire control
Manual control using gun sight
Dimensions
Weight
About 450 kg for mount
90 kg for 200 round belt

Media


Related articles


20mm Wegmann

The 20mm Wegmann naval mount is rather similar to the Oerlikon GAM-B01, being a a pedestal mounted 20mm autocannon with a single operator.