Oerlikon KCA


The Oerlikon KCA is a Swiss gas-operated single-barrel revolver cannon. This gun lead to the development of several successors.

Oerlikon KCA development and use

During its development, the Oerlikon KCA was internally known as the 304-Rk. This cannon was developed to be used by aircraft. The development took place in the 1950s and the 1960s, and the production started in the 1970s.
This variant uses 30×173 mm rounds. The KCA round is 50% heavier than the NATO standard 30×113 mm ammunition used on ADEN and DEFA cannon. It can fire up to 1350 rounds per minute at a muzzle velocity of 1030 m/s, with an effective range of. This variant uses percussion primed rounds.

Use of the KCA

The weapon began production for the Swedish Air Force in the 1970s. The Oerlikon KCA became the gun of the JA 37 Viggen fighter.
It was selected after testing several cannons, including the British ADEN cannon, the American M61 Vulcan, and French DEFA cannon. The KCA was carried, along with 126 rounds of ammunition, in a conformal pod under the fuselage. It was known as the akan m/75 by the Swedish armed forces.
The KCA was offered to the US military and was tested against the GAU-8 which became the cannon of the A-10 Warthog. The KCA received the designation by the US military.

Further developments

Oerlikon KCE

The Oerlikon KCE was developed by Rheinmetall Air Defence in Switzerland.
Some of the differences with the KCA include:
  • a slower rate of fire with 1,200 rounds per minute, and 200 rounds per minute
  • equipped with an electromagnetic muzzle programing unit for KETF ammunition:
  • * PMC308 - AHEAD munitions
  • * PMC455 - AHEAD munitions
  • a new trigger assembly and a new electric cocking device.

Use of the KCE

The KCE is used with two main systems:

Operators

Current operators

Sea Snake 30

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Skyranger 30

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Future operators

Skyranger 30

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Potential sales

Sea Snake 30

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Skyranger 30

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Former operators

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