Oerlikon KBA
| Oerlikon KBA 25 mm | |
|---|---|
|
Oerlikon Contraves 25 mm automatic cannon Type KBA | |
| Type | Autocannon |
| Place of origin |
 Switzerland |
| Service history | |
| In service | Mid 1970's – present |
| Used by | See operators |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Oerlikon Contraves AG |
| Manufacturer | Rheinmetall Italia S.p.A |
| Number built | 10,500+ |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 112 kilograms (247 lb) |
| Barrel length | • Overall: 2,888 mm (113.7 in) |
| Width | 263 mm (10.4 in) |
| Height | 253 mm (10.0 in) |
|
| |
| Shell | 25×137mm |
| Caliber | 25 mm |
| Barrels | Single barrel |
| Rate of fire | 600 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,335 metres per second (4,380 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) |
The Oerlikon KBA is a 25 mm (25×137mm) cannon was developed as a close range weapon for the mechanized battlefield originally made by Oerlikon Contraves AG (renamed as Rheinmetall Air Defence AG following the merger with Rheinmetall in 2009).
The Oerlikon KBA is a gas operated selective fire weapon taking a 25 mm cartridge from a dual selective belt feed and firing at a rate of 600 rounds per minute, it has been developed as a close-range multipurpose weapon for the modern battlefield.
Due to its firepower, various types of ammunition and its Instant Ammunition Selection Device (IASD), the KBA can engage lightly armoured vehicles, infantry and antitank positions, helicopters and combat aircraft.
Description
The Oerlikon Contraves KBA 25 mm cannon is a fully automatic, positively locked, gas-operated weapon with a rotating bolt head and double belt feed. These features guarantee high reliability and safety, even under the most extreme environmental conditions.
The KBA offers a wide range of firing modes: single shot; programmable rapid single shot with a rate of fire of up to 175 rds/min; and full automatic fire of 600 rds/ min. The cannon functions, such as cocking and firing, are electrically actuated by remote control from the gunner's control box and in auxiliary mode mechanically by a hand crank and a trigger pedal.
The Oerlikon KBA 25mm cannon has been designed for integration in various types of mounts, small size and low weight offer various integration possibilities such as:
- Manned (1 or 2 operators) or remote controlled turrets on IFVs, APCs
- Air defence gun mounts
- Naval mounts
- Helicopter mounts
The various types of available ammunition combined with the unique Instant Ammunition Selection Device (IASD) and different selectable firing modes with a rate of fire up to 600rds/min support any type of operational use.
Ammunition
A wide range of ammunition has been developed for this weapon specifically developed to engage and defeat both ground and air targets. The ammunition complies with all handling and operational safety requirements according to MIL-STD’s, and was subjected to intensive trials by NATO member countries prior to its introduction and standardization as NATO 25mmx137 ammunition.
The current 25mm ammunition family consists of 6 prime war-shot and 2 training rounds:
- APFSDS-T: armour-piercing fin stabilized discarding sabot with tracer, for use against armoured ground targets
- APDS-T: armour-piercing discarding sabot with tracer, for use against armoured ground targets
- FAPDS-T: frangible armour-piercing discarding sabot with tracer, for use against air, ground and urban targets
- TPDS-T: target practice discarding sabot with tracer, a short range trainer for the above sub-calibre types
- SAPHEI-T: semi-armour-piercing high explosive incendiary with tracer, for use against well protected targets
- HEI-T: high explosive incendiary with tracer, for use against lightly protected targets
- MP-T: multipurpose with tracer
- TP-T: target practice with tracer, for training with the above full calibre types
