These Internal Fighter Cannons Are Blowing Away the Competition
These Internal Fighter Cannons Are Blowing Away the Competition
These internal cannons are highly advanced, offering reliable, high-powered, accurate gun options for modern fighter aircraft.
The era of gun-centric aerial combat is surely over. Indeed, most modern aerial engagements occur at distances far beyond the range of a conventional internal cannon. But even for close-range engagements, the emphasis has shifted, over generations, from guns to missiles.
Still, modern combat aircraft are outfitted with internal canons, theoretically, for use in both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations. Ironically, given the reduced relevance of the internal cannon, today’s lineup of internal cannons is the most advanced, offering reliable, high-powered, accurate gun options for modern fighter aircraft—with nations developing their own indigenous models, the most advanced of which are the M61A2 Vulcan, GSh-30-1, BK-27, and GIAT 30/M791.
USA: the M61A2 Vulcan
The latest evolution of the iconic M61A1, the modern M61A2 Vulcan, is a six-barrel, air-cooled, electrically driven Gatling gun chambered in 20×102-mm. Weighing about 200 pounds, the modern Vulcan is lighter than its predecessor, and has been optimized for use with modern aircraft like the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18’s Super Hornet’s most recent variants and the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.
The Vulcan can deliver 6,000 rounds per minute thanks to a lintless ammunition feed, which reduces jamming and increases reliability. And due to the Vulcan’s high rate of fire and locked-in accuracy, the gun can be used in both air-to-air and air-to-ground engagements. The only downside: the relatively small caliber can limit damage against hardened targets, making shot placement crucially important.
Russia: the GSh-30-1
Russia’s GSh-30-1 is a single-barrel, recoil-operated cannon chambered in 30×165-mm. Mounted on modern aircraft like the Su-27, MiG-29, and Su-57, the GSh-30-1 is a staple of the Russian inventory. Capable of firing 1,500-1,800 rounds per minute (less than half of the six-barreled Vulcan), the Russian gun emphasizes pure firepower over rate of fire. Weighing about 100 pounds, the GSh-30-1 is a lightweight option offering fantastic kinetic energy, making the weapon highly effective against both air and lightly armored ground targets. Simple and compact, the GSh-30-1 is well-suited for the tightly configured Russian airframes. The primary downside, however, is the short barrel life (just 2,000 rounds) and powerful recoil, which forces the pilot to limit sustained fire bursts.
Germany: BK-27
The BK-27 is a single-barrel, gas-operated revolver cannon chambered in 27×145 mm. Found in some of Europe’s most advanced fighters, including the Panavia Tornado, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Saab JAS 39 Gripen, the BK-27 offers stopping power at a modest rate of fire (1,000-1,700 rounds per minute). Compact and reliable, the BK-27 has an attractively low recoil and respectable accuracy. The intermediate .27 caliber size allows for more rounds to be carried than in 30-mm systems, while offering more stopping power than 20-mm systems. Compared to Gatling gun systems, the BK-27 has a slower fire rate but a faster spin-up time, making it highly responsive in dogfights where the first shot landed often wins.
France: GIAT 30/M791
Fitted on the Dassault Rafale, the crown jewel of French aerospace production, the GIAT 30/M791 is a revolver cannon chambered in 30×150-mB. Capable of firing 2,500 rounds per minute, the GIAT propels rounds at a muzzle velocity of nearly 1,025 m/s. The result is a compromise between rate of fire and stopping power. Weighing 187 pounds, configured in a compact package, the GIAT is suitable for Europe’s light and agile fighters. The heavy 30-mm GIAT round has proven effective against airframes and soft ground targets. Known for having a high first-shot accuracy and minimal recoil relative to other 30-mm systems, the GIAT impresses with its versatility.
About the Author: Harrison Kass
Harrison Kass is a Senior Defense and National Security Writer at The National Interest. Kass is an attorney and former political candidate who joined the US Air Force as a pilot trainee before being medically discharged. He focuses on military strategy, aerospace, and global security affairs. He holds a JD from the University of Oregon and a master’s in Global Journalism and International Relations from NYU.
Image: DVIDS.
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