TheBK 27 (alsoBK27 orBK-27) (German abbreviation forBordkanone, "on-board cannon") is a 27 mm (1.063 in)caliberrevolver cannon manufactured byMauser (now part ofRheinmetall) of Germany. It was developed in the late 1960s for the MRCA (Multi Role Combat Aircraft) program that ultimately became thePanavia Tornado.[2]
The BK 27 is agas-operatedcannon firing a series of 27×145 mm cartridges with a typical projectile weight of 260 g (9.2 oz), and a total weight for the complete round of 516 g (1.14 lb).[1] Most models use a linked feed system for the ammunition; however, theEurofighter Typhoon makes use of a specially developed variant of the BK 27 that uses a linkless feed system instead, which is intended to improve reliability.[2]
Rheinmetall has also developed remote-controlled naval versions, theMN 27 GS and theMLG 27 fully automatic naval guns, which are installed on many ships of theGerman Navy. Ninety-nine MLG 27s have been ordered by the German Navy so far.[4] The cannon is a single-barrel, high-performance, breech-cylinder gun operated by a fully automatic, electrically fired, gas-operated system at a selective rate of 1000 or 1700 rounds per minute(+/− 100 rpm).[2] The Mauser BK 27 utilizes pyrotechnic cocking charges to cycle the action.
The gun mainly firesmine shells as these have the best effect against aircraft. There are also several types of armor piercing shells like the frangible armour piercing shell named Fap 27 mm x 145 mm ammunition/peb327 (DM103).[citation needed]
In his book Typhoon, formerRAF pilot Mike Sutton reported his 27 mm cannon jamming during a strafing run in Syria, against ISIS targets, while supporting Allied ground units. According to his book, the Typhoon was to be built, originally, without an internal gun, like the F-4 Phantom and theHarrier. However, while a decision was made to install an internal gun, this led to "manufacturing issues". Sutton claimed that during his strafing run the gun jammed after "twenty-six rounds", the HUD showing "GUN FAIL". During the debrief this problem was well known to both the pilots and ground crews. One pilot told Sutton: "They said that issue had been fixed", to which Sutton replied "Exactly. We've been here before."[5]
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