20 mm modèle F2 gun

From Self-sufficiency
Jump to: navigation, search
20 mm modèle F2 gun
300px
Type Autocannon
Place of origin  France
Specifications
Weight 332 kg (without ammunition)

Caliber 20 mm
Elevation -15° to + 65°
Rate of fire 720 round/min
Muzzle velocity 1050 m/s
Effective range 1500 metres against aerial targets

The 20 mm modèle F2 gun is a naval defence weapon used by the French Navy.

History

The need for a newer 20 mm defence cannon than the Oerlikon 20 mm cannon began to grow noticeably during the 1980s. The companies DCN and GIAT were contracted to design the F2 20 mm cannon, which essentially a navalised version of the M693 gun used by the French Army, and sold for export.

Description

The 20 mm F2 is a mounted monotube gun, with two 150-cartridge boxes on each side of the piece. An electrical control system allows a choice of three modes of fire: single shot, eight-shot burst, or free fire. There is an electrical trigger in the right hand of the gunner. A manual selector allows to change the box feeding the weapon during the firing, making mixed firing available. After each shot, the empty cartridge is ejected from beneath the weapon.

The gun is manoeuvred by the body of the gunner, who is attached to the weapon. The fire is directed through an optical visor used on the Bofors 40 mm gun and on the Oerlikon 20 mm cannon as well.

Usage

The gun has been exported to Belgium (Tripartite minesweepers), Indonesia (Tripartite minesweepers), Malawi (Kasunga), Netherlands (Tripartite minesweepers), Pakistan (Tripartite minesweepers), and Saudi Arabia (NAJA 12 class).

In the French Navy, they are used on

External links