ADEN (cannon)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Quadruple ADEN of a Hawker Hunter

The Royal Small Arms Factory ADEN is a 30 mm revolver cannon for combat aircraft , particularly those of the British Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm . ADEN stands for Armament Development Establishment , where the weapon was designed, and Enfield , London , where it was produced by Royal Small Arms Factory .

development

The development of the ADEN dates back to 1940 and was intended to replace the older 20 mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404 on-board cannon used by British fighter jets of the Second World War. Like the French DEFA cannon and the American M39, it is based on the German Mauser MG 213C projected for the Luftwaffe during World War II . The ADEN was introduced into service with the Hawker Hunter in 1954 and was the standard armament for all British combat aircraft equipped with on-board weapons until the Panavia Tornado was introduced in the 1980s. The ADEN is largely identical to the French DEFA cannon, which uses the same ammunition.

variants

ADEN Mk 4

The current version is the ADEN Mk 4 . Although the muzzle velocity of 741 m / s is lower than the Hispano's 850 m / s, the considerably heavier projectile causes greater damage. The ADEN 1300 rounds per minute has a higher cadence .

ADEN Mk 5

The further developed version ADEN Mk 5 contained a large number of minor changes in order to increase both the reliability and the rate of fire to 1500 to 1700 rounds per minute. However, no new cannons were built, but the older ones that were already in existence were converted and renamed MK 5 Straden . The revolver cannon has a 5-chamber ammunition feed, which is fed via a detachable belt.

ADEN 25

The ADEN Mk 5 was the basis for the planned ADEN 25 . With a length of 2.29 meters and a weight of 92 kg, it should be larger and heavier than its predecessor. The new 25 mm NATO ammunition with a much higher muzzle velocity of 1050 m / s was to be used as ammunition . With the lighter cartridge, the rate of fire increased to 1650 to 1850 rounds per minute. However, there were some development problems, which manifested themselves in an excessive weight of the weapon. The program was canceled in 1999. As a result, the RAF Harrier GR.7 and GR.9 did not receive any on-board cannons, as the old 30 mm ADEN cannons were no longer installed. The Sea Harriers of the Fleet Air Arm kept their 30mm cannons until they were retired in 2006.

ADEN 30

The English Electric Lightning , Folland Gnat , Hawker Hunter , Gloster Javelin , Saab 32 Lansen , Saab 35 Draken , Supermarine Scimitar and the Australian version of the F-86 Saber received the ADEN 30 as an on-board weapon. A variety of weapon cases exist , such as the British Hawker Siddeley Harrier's lower hull case , the USMC's AV-8A / C-Harrier and Sea Harriers .

FFV ADEN

The FFV ADEN, which is used with the BAE Hawk , is installed in a container for Swedish combat aircraft . The FFV ADEN weapon container consists of the cannon and 150 rounds of ammunition in a 3.85 meter long and 364 kg housing.

Technical specifications