Posted on 07/05/2010 6:46:12 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
U.S. Army has established a second source (General Dynamics) for 30mm cannon ammunition. This is to insure there are no interruptions in deliveries, and some competition when it comes to production quality and price. The U.S. Army is using over half a million 30mm cannon rounds a year for its AH-64 Apache helicopter gunships. Each round costs over $100. In Iraq and Afghanistan, the most accurate cannon fire comes from the 30mm autocannon on the AH-64 helicopter, and such support is very popular. This is partly because of the increased emphasis on reducing civilian casualties. During the heaviest combat in Iraq (2006-7), about a quarter of the army's 24 AH-64 battalion (18 Apaches each) were in Iraq or Afghanistan. But now these gunships are being shifted from Iraq to Afghanistan. .
The 127 pound M230 30mm cannon fires about ten rounds a second, and AH-64s normally carry 1,200 rounds. The most common round used is the HEDP (high explosive dual purpose), meaning that the round not only penetrates up to 50mm of armor, but generates fragments that kill or wound personnel within four meters (12 feet) of detonation. Each round carries .76 ounces (22 grams) of explosives, is 7.8 inches (20 cm) long and weighs 11.8 ounces (339 grams), while the projectile weighs half a pound (229 grams). A direct hit on a person is fatal, and messy.
Effective range of the 30mm cannon is about 4,000 meters. Time in flight to 3,000 meters is 12 seconds. The fire control system takes care of all the necessary aiming adjustments for long range shots. The Apache also has a red-dot laser indicator for the 30mm cannon. This reduces friendly fire incidents.
(Excerpt) Read more at strategypage.com ...
I reload ammo. Perhaps I can help them.
A direct hit on a person is fatal, and messy
Can say that again.....
12 seconds to go 3000 meters? It could fall faster than that.
Is that beautiful?
I'd love to take off with $120,000 of ammo aboard.
820 ft/sec... 560 mph...what’s terminal velocuty for one of those rounds?
LOL. A lot of people would.
Not as beautiful as the thought of that “Oh, Sh*t,” moment when a jihadi hears the distant sound of chopper blades and looks down to see that red laser painting his chest.
I don’t think they’ll fit on my press otherwise...
I kind of hate to see them spend $100 per round to kill a few jihadis, but if brings more of our guys home alive and in one piece, I’m all for it.
That's because my iaito is lighter than your katana, thus faster (but less dangerous ;-))
WHY?!?
Typical gov't contractor + brainless gov't procurement policies + basically no project management...gee, I dunno, it looks pretty straightforward to me.
Ping
Now thats some flying.
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