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| GIAT 30M 791 | |
|---|---|
 GIAT 30M 791 cannon for theDassault Rafale fighter | |
| Type | Revolver cannon |
| Place of origin | France |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1980s-present |
| Used by | France |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | M 791: 120 kg (260 lb) M 781:65 kg (143 lb) |
| Length | M 791: 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in) M 781:1.875 m (6 ft 1.8 in) |
| Width | 290 mm (11 in) |
| Height | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Shell | M 791: 30×150mm B M 781: 30×113mm B |
| Barrels | 1 |
| Action | Seven-chamberrevolver |
| Rate of fire | M 791: variable anti-aircraft mode 1500 or 2500 rounds/min or grounding mode 300 or 600 rpm M 781: 750 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,025 m/s (3,360 ft/s) |
TheGIAT 30 is a series of30 mm cannon developed to replace theDEFA 550 series weapons on Frenchmilitary aircraft.
Introduced in the late 1980s, theGIAT 30 is arevolver cannon with electric ignition and automatic recocking. Unlike the DEFA cannon, the revolver chamber is electrically operated, rather thangas operated, improving both reliability andrate of fire.
Two versions of the GIAT 30 are offered.
Primarily intended forhelicopter use and offered in several fixed, podded, and turreted installations. It is 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) long with a total system weight of 65 kg (143 lb). It is designed to fire the ADEN/DEFA 30×113mm B rounds. The weight of the projectile varies from 244 g (8.6 oz) for HEI to 270 g (9.5 oz) for APHEI-SD. Typicalmuzzle velocity is 810 m/s (2,700 ft/s) with a rate of fire of 750 rounds per minute.
Given its considerable recoil, it is typically used for single shots or controlled bursts rather than continuous fire. The 30 M781 is used on theEurocopter Tiger and is also offered for naval use as part of the NARWHAL (NAval Remote Weapon High Accuracy and Light) system.
Ammunition: HEI; SAPHEI; APHEI-SD; API-T; TP.
Intended forfighter aircraft such as theDassault Rafale. It uses a new range of 30×150mm B ammunition in a variety of types. It has amuzzle velocity of 1,025 m/s (3,360 ft/s), which amounts to a muzzle energy of more than 127 kJ (94,000 ft⋅lbf) from the mass of the projectile alone (not taking into account explosive chemical energy).[1] A variable rate of fire allows cyclic rates of 300, 600, 1500, or 2500 rounds per minute. It can fire continuous bursts or controlled 0.5 or 1 second bursts.
Operators of the Tiger equipped with the GIAT 30M781:
Operators of the Rafale equipped with the GIAT 30M791:
