Mauser BK-27

Mauser BK-27
The Mauser BK-27
TypeRevolver cannon
Place of originGermany
Service history
Used bySee operators
Production history
DesignerMauser (now Rheinmetall)
Designed1976
ManufacturerMauser (now Rheinmetall)
Produced1977–present
No. built3,100~
Specifications
Mass100 kg (220 lboz)
Length2.31 m (7 ft 7 in)
Barrel length1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)

Shell27×145 mm
Caliber27 mm (1.063 in) caliber
BarrelsSingle barrel
Actionfive-chamber revolver
Rate of fire1,000–1,700 rpm (+/− 100 rpm), selectable
Muzzle velocity1,100 m/s (3,600 ft/s)[1]
Maximum firing rangeAir targets: 2,500 meters

Surface targets: 4,000 meters

High speed naval targets: 2,500 meters

The BK 27 (also BK27 or BK-27) (German abbreviation for Bordkanone, "on-board cannon") is a 27 mm (1.063 in) caliber revolver cannon manufactured by Mauser (now part of Rheinmetall) of Germany. It was developed in the late 1960s for the MRCA (Multi Role Combat Aircraft) program that ultimately became the Panavia Tornado.[2]

The BK 27 is a gas-operated cannon firing a series of 27×145 mm cartridges with a typical projectile weight of 260 g (9.2 oz), and a total weight for the complete round of 516 g (1.14 lb).[1] Most models use a linked feed system for the ammunition; however, the Eurofighter Typhoon makes use of a specially developed variant of the BK 27 that uses a linkless feed system instead, which is intended to improve reliability.[2]

  1. ^ a b "Germany 27 mm/145 MLG 27 - NavWeaps". navweaps.com. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
  2. ^ a b Ian, V. Hogg; Terry, J. Gander (1998). "Cannon - 20 to 30 mm cannon: 27 x 145 B ammunition (Switzerland)". Jane's Ammunition Handbook. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 9780710617897.