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| Colt Mk 12 | |
|---|---|
 Mk 12 cannon of aRNZAFDouglas A-4K Skyhawk. | |
| Type | Autocannon |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1950s – present |
| Wars | Vietnam War Falklands War Gulf War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Colt's Manufacturing Company |
| Manufacturer | Colt's Manufacturing Company |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 46.0 kg (101.4 lb) |
| Cartridge | 20×110mm USN |
| Caliber | 20 mm (0.787 in) |
| Action | Gas-operated reloading |
| Rate of fire | 1,000 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,010 m/s (3,300 ft/s) |
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TheColt Mk 12 is a 20 mmautocannon that was widely used by theUnited States Navy afterWorld War II.
The Mk 12 was an advanced derivative of the wartimeHispano HS 404 that was used on French, British and some Americanfighter aircraft duringWorld War II. It used a lighter projectile with a bigger charge for bettermuzzle velocity and higher rate of fire at the cost of hitting power. It enteredU.S. Navy andU.S. Marine Corps service in the mid-1950s, replacing the earlier M3 cannon.[1]
In service, the Mk 12 proved less than satisfactory. Although its muzzle velocity and rate of fire were acceptable, it was inaccurate and frequently unreliable. Pilots of theF-8 Crusader overNorth Vietnam, in particular, appreciated the presence of the cannon, but jams and stoppages were common, especially following harddogfighting maneuvers in high-g environments.
Nevertheless, the Mk 12 was standard cannon armament on gun-armed American naval fighters and attack aircraft from the early 1950s to the early 1970s, including theF4D Skyray,F3H Demon,A-4 Skyhawk,F-8 Crusader,F-11 Tiger and early navy versions of theLTV A-7 Corsair II.
International customers of theA-4 Skyhawk,F-8 Crusader, and theA-7 Corsair II also used the Mk 12 cannon: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, France,Kuwait,Malaysia, New Zealand, thePhilippines and Portugal. The only exceptions were Israel andSingapore. TheIsraeli Air Force replaced the Mk 12 cannon with the French 30 mmDEFA cannon (a revolver design) in its Skyhawks, while theRepublic of Singapore Air Force fitted the British 30 mmADEN cannon (another revolver).Indonesia later bought some used A-4s from Israel.
As of 2013, the Mk 12 cannon is still in use in Skyhawks of theArgentine Air Force and theBrazilian Navy.
