View source for DEFA cannon

{{Infobox Weapon
|name= DEFA cannon
|image= [[File:Canon DEFA MG 1359.jpg|300px|DEFA cannon of a [[Mirage III]] in twin mount.]]
|caption= DEFA cannon of a [[Mirage III]] in twin mount.
|origin={{Flagcountry|France}}
|type= [[Revolver cannon]]
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=yes
|is_bladed=no
|is_explosive=
|is_artillery=yes
|is_vehicle=no
|is_missile=no
|is_UK=yes
<!-- Service history -->
|service= 1954 - present
|used_by=France, Switzerland, Israel, Italy, South Africa, etc.
|wars= 
<!-- Production history -->
|designer= DEFA
|design_date=late 1940s
|manufacturer=[[Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA|CASA]], [[Dassault Aviation]], and [[Matra]].
|unit_cost=
|production_date=
|number= 
|variants= 
<!-- General specifications -->
|spec_label=
|weight= 85 kg
|length= 1.66 m
|part_length= 
|width=
|height=
|diameter=
|crew=
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications --> 
|cartridge= 30 (1.18 inch) × 113 mm
|caliber= [[30 mm caliber|30 mm NATO]]
|barrels=1
|action= [[revolver cannon|five-chamber revolver]]
|rate= 1,300 rpm
|velocity= 815 m/s
|range= 
|max_range= 
|feed= 
|sights= 
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
|breech=
|recoil=
|carriage=
|elevation=
|traverse=
<!-- Explosive specifications --> 
|filling=
|filling_weight=
|detonation=
|yield=
}}

The '''DEFA cannon''' is a family of widely used [[France|French]]-made aircraft [[autocannon]]s firing the standard [[30 mm caliber]] [[NATO]] rounds. 

==Design history==
The initial '''DEFA 551''' was developed in the late 1940s. It was based on the [[Germany|German]] [[Mauser MG 213]]C, an experimental [[revolver cannon]] developed for the [[Luftwaffe]]. The MG 213 never reached production, but inspired the DEFA, the very similar [[United Kingdom|British]] [[ADEN cannon]], and the smaller American [[M39 cannon]]. As the '''DEFA 552''' it entered production in [[1954 in aviation|1954]]. In [[1968 in aviation|1968]] an upgraded version, '''Canon 550-F3''', was developed, entering production in [[1971 in aviation|1971]] as the '''DEFA 553'''. The new version provided a new feed system, nitro-chrome plated steel barrel, forged drum casing, and improved electrical reliability.

==Overview==
[[File:Canon DEFA MG 1400.jpg|thumb|left|cut-off model of a DEFA cannon for instruction]]
The '''DEFA 553''' is a [[gas-operated]] five-chamber [[revolver cannon]] using pyrotechnic cocking and electrical ignition. It fires a range of 30&nbsp;mm ammunition in various types, and is capable of continuous fire or of 0.5-second or 1-second bursts.

The 553 was superseded by the '''DEFA 554''', which incorporates a number of detail improvements. The DEFA 554 uses three, rather than two, of the chambers for reloading, increasing rate of fire. Barrel life and mechanical reliability are improved, and an electrical control unit now allows the pilot to select two rates of fire: 1,800 rounds per minute for air-to-air use or 1,200 rounds per minute for air-to-ground attacks. The 554 also provides three [[Pyrotechnic cocking charge|pyrotechnic cartridges]] rather than one, allowing the pilot to cock the weapon only after take-off while still having two cartridges to recock in flight.

==Deployment==
[[File:Canon DEFA MG 1462.JPG|thumb|left|DEFA cannon of a [[Mirage III]] in twin mount]]
The DEFA 550 series was the standard cannon armament of all gun-armed French fighters from [[1954 in aviation|1954]] until the advent of the [[Dassault Rafale]] in the 1980s. A pair of these weapons, with 125–135 rounds per gun, is standard fit on the [[Dassault MD 450 Ouragan]], [[Dassault Mystere]], [[Dassault Mirage III|Mirage III/V]], [[Dassault Étendard]] and [[Dassault Super Étendard]], [[Sud Aviation Vautour]], [[Mirage F1]], French [[SEPECAT Jaguar]]s, and the [[Mirage 2000]] series. It was also used on the [[Israel]]i [[IAI Nesher]], [[IAI Kfir]], and [[IAI Lavi]], the Italian [[Aeritalia G.91|Aeritalia G91Y]] and [[Aermacchi MB-326|Aermacchi MB-326K]], and the South African [[Atlas Cheetah]] and [[Impala Mk.II]]. Various [[gun pod]] installations are available from [[Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA|CASA]], [[Dassault Aviation]], and [[Matra]].

The DEFA 550 is very similar to the British [[ADEN cannon]], and can use the same ammunition.

The DEFA 550 series has now given way to the '''[[GIAT 30]]''' series used on the [[Rafale]], although it is likely to remain in widespread use for many years to come.

==Specifications==
{{Commons category|DEFA cannon}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.nexter-group.fr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85%3Acanon-30m-550-&catid=44%3Asecteur-aeronautique&Itemid=90&lang=en Nexter website: DEFA 30M factsheet]
*[http://www.saairforce.co.za/the-airforce/weapons/39/defa-553-30mm-cannon South Africa Air Force: DEFA cannon factsheet]
*[http://www.canit.se/~griffon/aviation/text/akandata.htm List of Military Gatling & Revolver cannons]

===Video links===
*{{youtube|knVGQ3zl7lI|DEFA [[gun camera]] video of an Argentinean [[IAI Nesher|IAI Dagger]] during the [[Battle of San Carlos (1982)|Battle of San Carlos]]}}

{{Aviation lists}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Defa Cannon}}
[[Category:30 mm artillery]]
[[Category:Aircraft guns]]
[[Category:Automatic cannons]]

[[Category:2Fix]]