Photograph copyrighted by Rheinmetall AG.
This is the navalized version of the 27 mm BK 27 aircraft gun used on the Tornado and Gripen fighter aircraft. Fire control is provided by a system from STN Atlas Elektronik with target tracking, fire control computation as well as gun control performed from a remote operator console. Sensors include a thermal imager, TV camera, laser range finder and automatic target tracking system with a video tracker.
This weapon was designed by Mauser-Werke Oberndorf Waffensysteme GmbH, a Rheinmetall DeTec subsidiary, to replace older 20 mm and 40 mm guns and the mounting does not require deck penetration. Can be operated remotely or locally with a joystick. 83 of these weapons have been ordered by the German Navy.
This weapon is a gas-operated automatic revolver cannon. Can be assembled for either left- or right-hand feed, and uses linkless ammunition with a case recovery system.
| Designation | 27 mm MLG 27 Light Naval Gun System |
|---|---|
| Ship Class Used On | 122, 123 and 124-class frigates, 332 and 333-class minehunters and minesweepers, 352-class mine countermeasures ships, 404-class tenders and 702-class supply ships Planned for K 130 corvette class |
| Date Of Design | about 1990 (Original aircraft design) |
| Date In Service | 2003 (Navalized Version) |
| Gun Weight | 37.5 lbs. (17kg) |
| Gun Length oa | 91 in (2.310 m) |
| Bore Length | N/A |
| Rifling Length | N/A |
| Number Of Grooves | N/A |
| Lands | N/A |
| Twist | N/A |
| Chamber Volume | N/A |
| Rate Of Fire | 1,700 +/-100 rpm cyclic, lower training rates possible |
| Type | Fixed |
|---|---|
| Weight of Complete Round | FAPDS: 1.14 lbs. (0.516 kg) |
| Projectile Types and Weights | FAPDS: 0.57 lbs. (0.260 kg) |
| Bursting Charge | None (Frangible Bullet) 1 |
| Projectile Length | FAPDS: 4.53 in (11.5 cm) Complete Round: 9.6 in (24.3 cm) |
| Propellant Charge | N/A |
| Cartridge | 27 x 145 mm |
| Muzzle Velocity | 3,600 fps (1,100 mps) |
| Working Pressure | N/A |
| Approximate Barrel Life | N/A |
| Ammunition stowage per gun | 90 rounds on mount |
Aircraft use HE and HE-SD ammunition.
- ^The Frangible Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot (FAPDS) round is used only with the Naval mount and consists of a brittle tungsten alloy penetrator ejection molded in a plastic sabot with a integral plastic band. The penetrator is designed to fragment even at low impact angles against thin plates. After the penetrator has punched through the outer shell of a hard or soft target (including those made of composite materials), the round disintegrates into fragments, which then progressively break up into a cascade of ever-smaller particles. The result is a high-energy cloud of fragments intended to cause severe damage to the interior of the target.
| Target | Distance |
|---|---|
| Small, highly agile surface targets, helicopters and sub-sonic aircraft | 2,730 yards (2,500 m) effective |
| On-shore targets and warships | 4,370 yards (4,000 m) max |
| Designation | Single Mount MLG 27 |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1,874 lbs. (850 kg) |
| Elevation | -15 / +60 degrees |
| Elevation Rate | N/A |
| Train | -170 / +170 degrees |
| Train Rate | N/A |
| Gun recoil | N/A |
This mounting features a Gyro system which is LOS (Line of Sight) stabilized in two axes and powered by brushless servo-motors.
Although this weapon does not require deck penetration, it does require an 115 Vac @ 60 Hz electric supply.
Data from:
- "Jane's Ammunition Handbook: Ninth Edition 2000-2001" edited by Terry J. Gander and Charles Q. Cutshaw
Press releases:
- 21 May 2006
- Benchmark
- 09 August 2009
- Added projectile sketch
- 19 May 2012
- Updated to latest template