The GCM series were developed as a joint project by Oerlikon and BMARC (British Manufacture and Research Company). Oerlikon supplied the twin 30 mm KCB cannons while BMARC designed and built the gyro-stabilzed and powered mountings.
The Laurence Scott LS-30B uses a single 30 mm KCB cannon on a simpler stabilized mounting. This weapon replaced the 40 mm Bofors Mark 7 and Mark 9 mountings on various frigates and minehunters. This weapon is currently being produced by MSI-Defence Systems LTD as the DS30. This single mounting has a modular yoke which allows it to be easily configured to be used with other weapons, such as the Mauser 30 mm 30F or with the 25 mm Bushmaster or 30 mm Bushmaster guns. These mountings are available in locally controlled (LOCSIG), remotely controlled (REMSIG) or autonomously controlled (AUTSIG) versions. As of 2003, over 70 mountings had been purchased by the Royal Navy and about twenty by other navies. This weapon system is also produced under license in Australia by ADI Limited for use on the RAN Huon class Minehunters.
The 30 mm KCB cannon is also used on the Emerlec-30.
| Designation | Guns: Oerlikon 30 mm/75 KCB |
|---|---|
| Ship Class Used On | GCM
British: Type 22 frigates and Amphibious Assault Ships Brunei: Fast Patrol Craft LSB-30/DS30
Exported to several countries |
| Date Of Design | See Mounting Notes, below |
| Date In Service | See Mounting Notes, below |
| Gun Weight | N/A |
| Gun Length oa | N/A |
| Bore Length | about 88.6 in (2.250 m) |
| Rifling Length | N/A |
| Grooves | N/A |
| Lands | N/A |
| Twist | N/A |
| Chamber Volume | N/A |
| Rate Of Fire | Cyclic: 650 rounds per minute |
| Type | Fixed |
|---|---|
| Weight of Complete Round | N/A |
| Projectile Types and Weights | HE - 0.93 lbs. (0.420 kg)
APDS - 0.66 lbs. (0.300 kg) |
| Bursting Charge | N/A |
| Projectile Length | N/A |
| Propellant Charge | N/A |
| Muzzle Velocity | HE: 3,543 fps (1,080 mps)
APDS: 3,854 fps (1,175 mps) |
| Working Pressure | N/A |
| Approximate Barrel Life | about 5,000 rounds |
| Ammunition stowage per gun
(on mount) |
GCM-AO3-1: 165 to 250 rounds
GCM-AO3-2: 250 rounds GCM-AO3-3: 320 rounds LSB-30/DS30: 160 rounds |
| Elevation | Range |
|---|---|
| Effective range - anti-surface | 10,900 yards (10,000 m) |
| Effective range - anti-air | 3,000 yards (2,750 m) |
| Designation | Twin Mountings 1 GCM-AO3-1 (Local / Remote control)
|
|---|---|
| Weight | GCM-AO3-1 - 4,410 lbs. (2,000 kg)
GCM-AO3-2 - 4,740 lbs. (2,150 kg) GCM-AO3-3 - 4,190 lbs. (2,050 kg) LS-30B or DS30 - 2,645 lbs. (1,200 kg) with ammunition |
| Elevation | GCM-AO3: -15 / +80 degrees
LSB-30B or DS30: -20 / +65 degrees |
| Elevation Rate | GCM-AO3: 50 degrees per second
LSB-30B or DS30: 55 degrees per second |
| Train | 360 degrees |
| Train Rate | GCM-AO3: 75 degrees per second
LSB-30B or DS30: 55 degrees per second |
| Gun recoil | N/A |
"The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems 1991/92" by Norman Friedman
"Rapid Fire" by Anthony G. Williams
Royal Navy Press Releases
17 October 2007 - Benchmark
12 February 2012 - Updated to latest template
20 December 2015 - Updated Royal Navy link
06 September 2016 - Converted to HTML 5 format
06 March 2018 - Reorganized notes