This is the navalized version of the 27 mm BK 27 aircraft gun used on the Tornado and Gripen fighter aircraft. Fire control is provided by a system from STN Atlas Elektronik with target tracking, fire control computation as well as gun control performed from a remote operator console. Sensors include a thermal imager, TV camera, laser range finder and automatic target tracking system with a video tracker.
This weapon was designed by Mauser-Werke Oberndorf Waffensysteme GmbH, a Rheinmetall DeTec subsidiary, to replace older 20 mm and 40 mm guns and the mounting does not require deck penetration. Can be operated remotely or locally with a joystick. 83 of these weapons have been ordered by the German Navy.
This weapon is a gas-operated automatic revolver cannon. Can be assembled for either left- or right-hand feed, and uses linkless ammunition with a case recovery system.
Designation | 27 mm MLG 27 Light Naval Gun System |
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Ship Class Used On | 122, 123 and 124-class frigates, 332 and 333-class minehunters and minesweepers, 352-class mine countermeasures ships, 404-class tenders and 702-class supply ships Planned for K 130 corvette class |
Date Of Design | about 1990 (Original aircraft design) |
Date In Service | 2003 (Navalized Version) |
Gun Weight | 37.5 lbs. (17kg) |
Gun Length oa | 91 in (2.310 m) |
Bore Length | N/A |
Rifling Length | N/A |
Number Of Grooves | N/A |
Lands | N/A |
Twist | N/A |
Chamber Volume | N/A |
Rate Of Fire | 1,700 +/-100 rpm cyclic, lower training rates possible |
Type | Fixed |
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Weight of Complete Round | FAPDS: 1.14 lbs. (0.516 kg) |
Projectile Types and Weights | FAPDS: 0.57 lbs. (0.260 kg) |
Bursting Charge | None (Frangible Bullet) 1 |
Projectile Length | FAPDS: 4.53 in (11.5 cm) Complete Round: 9.6 in (24.3 cm) |
Propellant Charge | N/A |
Cartridge | 27 x 145 mm |
Muzzle Velocity | 3,600 fps (1,100 mps) |
Working Pressure | N/A |
Approximate Barrel Life | N/A |
Ammunition stowage per gun | 90 rounds on mount |
Aircraft use HE and HE-SD ammunition.
- ^The Frangible Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot (FAPDS) round is used only with the Naval mount and consists of a brittle tungsten alloy penetrator ejection molded in a plastic sabot with a integral plastic band. The penetrator is designed to fragment even at low impact angles against thin plates. After the penetrator has punched through the outer shell of a hard or soft target (including those made of composite materials), the round disintegrates into fragments, which then progressively break up into a cascade of ever-smaller particles. The result is a high-energy cloud of fragments intended to cause severe damage to the interior of the target.
Target | Distance |
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Small, highly agile surface targets, helicopters and sub-sonic aircraft | 2,730 yards (2,500 m) effective |
On-shore targets and warships | 4,370 yards (4,000 m) max |
Designation | Single Mount MLG 27 |
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Weight | 1,874 lbs. (850 kg) |
Elevation | -15 / +60 degrees |
Elevation Rate | N/A |
Train | -170 / +170 degrees |
Train Rate | N/A |
Gun recoil | N/A |
This mounting features a Gyro system which is LOS (Line of Sight) stabilized in two axes and powered by brushless servo-motors.
Although this weapon does not require deck penetration, it does require an 115 Vac @ 60 Hz electric supply.
Data from:
- "Jane's Ammunition Handbook: Ninth Edition 2000-2001" edited by Terry J. Gander and Charles Q. Cutshaw
Press releases:
- 21 May 2006
- Benchmark
- 09 August 2009
- Added projectile sketch
- 19 May 2012
- Updated to latest template