Ho-301 cannon
| Ho-301 40 mm cannon | |
|---|---|
 A cutaway, showing the 40 mm caseless projectile. | |
| Type | Aircraft Autocannon |
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Japan |
| Wars | Second World War |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 49 kg (108 lb) |
| Length | 148 cm |
| Barrel length | 78 cm |
| | |
| Cartridge | 40 mm caseless |
| Caliber | 40 mm (1.57 in) |
| Action | API blowback |
| Rate of fire | 475 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 245 m/s (805 ft/s) |
| Effective range | 150 meters (490 ft) |
| Feed system | 10 round box |
The Ho-301 was a Japanese 40 millimeter calibre autocannon that saw limited use during World War II, on Japanese Army Nakajima Ki-44 and Kawasaki Ki-45 KAI aircraft. It was unusual in using caseless ammunition. Although the effective range of the cannon was only 150 meters (490 ft), the Ho-301 was light and rapid-firing for its caliber.
The caseless design revolved around a specially designed projectile, that was in effect a small rocket. The round used an internal propellent chamber at the rear of the projectile containing a ten gram silk bag filled with smokeless powder. Drilled into the base blade of the round are twelve 3.8 millimeter diameter exhaust holes. The propellent chamber is sealed by a thin aluminium sealing cup, which covers the exhaust holes. When the primer is struck, the bag of propellent ignites, and the pressure rises until the aluminium cup bursts, allowing the exhaust gas to rush through the exhaust holes pushing the projectile forward. The propellant was exhausted before the projectile left the barrel.
Because of the low muzzle velocity, the weapon was only suited to attacking bombers, and even here, the extremely low muzzle velocity made aiming difficult.
Ammunition specifications
- Length of projectile (fuzed): 129 mm
- Diameter of rotating band: 41 mm
- Diameter of body: 39 mm
- Wall thickness: 4 mm - 5 mm
- Weight: 0.590 kg
- Explosive content: 0.065 kg approx [1]
- Fuze: Direct acting impact fuze
See also
References
- Williams, Anthony G (2000). Rapid Fire. ISBN 1-84037-435-7.
- TM 9-1985-5, Japanese Explosive Ordnance. Departments of the Army and the Airforce. 1953.
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- ↑ TM gives content as 2 ounces of H.E. filling plus 0.1 ounces of primer and 0.2 ounce gaine.
