Oerlikon GDF

Oerlikon GDF
A modernized Finnish 35 mm Oerlikon twin cannon
TypeAutocannon
Place of originSwitzerland
Service history
In service1963–Present[1]
Used bySee Operators
WarsIran-Iraq War
Falklands War
Production history
DesignerOerlikon
ManufacturerOerlikon
Specifications
Mass6,700 kg (14,800 lb) (with ammunition)
Length7.8 m (25 ft 7 in) (travelling)
Barrel length3.15 m (10 ft 4 in) (barrel)
Width2.26 m (7 ft 5 in) (travelling)
Height2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) (travelling)
Crew3[2]

ShellComplete round: 35×228mm, 1.565 kg (3 lb 7 oz)
Caliber35 mm (1.4 in)
ActionGas-operated[3]
Carriage4 wheels with outriggers
Elevation−5°/+92°
TraverseFull 360°
Rate of fire550 rounds/min (per barrel)
Muzzle velocity1,175 m/s (3,850 ft/s) (HEI-T)
Effective firing rangeCeiling: 4,000 m (13,000 ft)

The Oerlikon GDF[4] or Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon is a towed anti-aircraft gun made by Oerlikon Contraves (renamed as Rheinmetall Air Defence AG following the merger with Rheinmetall in 2009). The system was originally designated 2 ZLA/353 ML but this was later changed to GDF-001. It was developed in the late 1950s and is used by around 30 countries.[5]

  1. ^ "Oerlikon GDF". WeaponSystems.net. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  2. ^ Foss, Christopher (1977). Jane's pocket book of towed artillery. New York: Collier. p. 227. ISBN 0020806000. OCLC 911907988.
  3. ^ Friedman, Norman (1997–1998). "Oerlikon 35mm (Type GDM-A and GDM-C)". The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems, 1997–1998. Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press. p. 455. ISBN 978-1-55750-268-1. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  4. ^ "GDF - Weaponsystems.net". weaponsystems.net. Retrieved 2017-07-03.
  5. ^ "GDF | Weaponsystems.net". old.weaponsystems.net.