Posted on 11/29/2010 2:08:11 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Nammo Raufoss AS and the Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation (NDLO) have signed a contract on the final development and qualification of 25 mm APEX ammunition and associated training ammunition adapted to the F35 Fighter.
The contract is worth up to NOK 66 million and Nammo will also be providing capital in the amount of NOK 22 million. The contract will be completed by the end of 2012.
Several decades' experience in technology Nammo has a long background in the development of aircraft ammunition. Over the last 40 years, both Norwegian and allied fighters have used aircraft ammunition manufactured at Raufoss.
The newly developed APEX ammunition is based on Nammo's technological know- how, as well as several years' experience in the development and manufacture of aircraft ammunition. As early as 2005, Nammo started developing APEX in collaboration with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment.
Must satisfy extremely high technical requirements Technical requirements for aircraft ammunition have grown increasingly demanding and APEX has been especially developed to meet such requirements.
(Excerpt) Read more at finance.yahoo.com ...
I still say it should have been named the “Crusader II.”
intersting, i wish they had gone into a little more about exactly what it is that makes the ammo so exacting. what does aircraft ammo do that other types dont?
Penetrate inches of steel armor for one. Some types are 'spin armed' to explode after a certain number of revolutions, too. They ain't cheap.
oh. i guess it will be a while before my local wallmart carries it then.
since we’re out of Crusaders, we’re out of fighters..
The five-barrel ‘Equalizer’ cannon was developed in the late 1970s, based on the mechanism of the GAU-8/A Avenger cannon, but firing a new NATO series of 25 mm ammunition. The GAU-12/U cannon is operated by a 15 hp (11 kW) electric motor, in external mounts supplied by a bleed air driven pneumatic system. Its rate of fire is normally 3,600 rounds per minute, with a maximum of 4,200 rounds per minute. For the AC-130, the fire rate was lowered to 1800 rounds per minute in order to conserve ammunition.
The Equalizer normally uses PGU-20/U armor-piercing incendiary (API) or PGU-22 or PGU-25 high explosive incendiary (HEI) ammunition. With a harder-hitting projectile and comparable muzzle velocity, it is more lethal than the older M61 Vulcan, more effective than the older 30 mm ADEN cannon it replaces, but not as effective and lethal as the Mauser BK-27.
GAU-22/A
The GAU-22/A is the latest application of the GAU-12/U, which is a four barrel version designed for use on the F-35 Lightning II.[1] In the CTOL version of the aircraft it will carry the gun internally, while on the STOVL and CV versions an external podded gun will be available. The major difference between the GAU-12/U and the GAU-22/A is the use of a four barrel system, rather than the five barrels on the standard GAU-12/U. The four barrel version is purported to reduce weight and improve accuracy. This system is currently undergoing intensive testing and qualification. The weapon’s current contractor is General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products.
The rate of fire is reduced to 3300 rounds per minute and the accuracy is increased to 1.4 milliradians radius as compared to the GAU-12.[2]
from wikipedia
I think that might have been more appropriate for the "Monica" X-32.
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