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27mm Mauser BK-27



Overview


27mm BK-27

BK-27 autocannon on display alongside the JAS 39 Gripen in which it is used.
Source: Petr Kadlec - © GNU Attribution Share Alike license

Origin
Germany
Type
Autocannon
Entered service
Late 1970's
Status
In service
Development
Mid 1970's
Developer
Germany - Mauser
Production
? - present
Producer
Germany - Mauser, currently part of Rheinmetall
Number produced
Over 3.000
Designations
BK-27 / Bordkanone 27mm
German for "on-board cannon 27mm"

Description


Introduction

The BK-27 is a late Cold War era autocannon of German origin. It was developed to arm the multinational Panavia Tornado family of combat aircraft. Subsequently it has been used in several combat aircraft designs. This revolver cannon was developed for use both against enemy aircraft and ground targets. Recently the BK-27 has been adopted for use in naval mounts.

Design

The BK-27 is a single barrel revolver cannon. Such a design has a high rate of fire for a single barrel weapon. It is a gas operated weapon and requires no external power source, although it is electrically fired. Pyrotechnic charges are used to charge the weapon in flight or cycle the action in case of a misfire. The BK-27 is a belt fed weapon. A linkless feed system is available

Firepower

The BK-27 fires the 27x145mm Mauser cartridge and is the only autocannon chambered for this cartridge. This 27mm design was deemed an optimal middle ground between velocity, explosive payload, weight and recoil. The rate of fire is selectable as 1.000 or 1.700 rpm. Since a revolver cannon nearly instantly reaches its maximum rate of fire it has an edge over gatling type autocannon for very short burst lengths.

Aircraft use

The BK-27 was developed for use on the Panavia Tornado. The IDS variant is fitted with two BK-27 and the ADV with a single BK-27. The ECR variant and some reconnaissance conversions do not carry the BK-27. The Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen are fitted with a single BK-27. The Alpha Jet trainer and light strike aircraft can be fitted with a fuselage pod with a single BK-27.

Naval use

The BK-27 is fitted in a number of naval mounts. Most notably the MLG 27 remote control mount, of which over a 100 have been produced. The high rate of fire and compact dimensions make the BK-27 suitable for use in remote weapon systems. The use on naval mounts is a recent development. For several decades the BK-27 was purely an aircraft weapon.

Details


Facts BK-27
General
Origin
Germany
Type
Autocannon
Caliber
Caliber
27x145mm Mauser
Feed system
Single belt feed
Left or right hand feed
Optional linkless feed system
Barrel length
1.73 m
Muzzle velocity
1.025 - 1.100 m/s
Operation
Action
Revolver cannon, gas operated
Rate of fire
Selectable, 1.000 or 1.700 rpm
Dimensions
Weight
102,5 kg empty
Length
2.31 m
Width
296 mm
Height
246 mm

Media


Related articles


27mm MLG 27

The BK-27 is used in the MLG 27 remote control naval gun mount.

30mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-301

The GSh-301 is a Soviet large caliber lightweight revolver type autocannon. As such it is rather similar to the BK-27.