M621 French 20mm Autocannon
M621
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Basic Information
Name
M621 French 20mm Autocannon
Designation
M621
Alternate Designation
—
Equipment Type
—
Manufacturer
—
Date of Introduction
1973
Description
TheM621 French 20mm Autocannon, developed by Nexter as onboard armament for armored vehicles, aircraft, helicopters, and small coastal vessels of the French Navy. The main advantages are its limited weight and low recoil. Most vehicles or light aircraft that can handle a 12.7mm heavy machine gun can also be equipped with the M621. The M621 is a gas-operated autocannon. It uses a delayed blowback mechanism. Two locking pieces assure a locked-breech until the round has left the barrel. The M621 uses a single belt feed system, which can be set up for right or left-hand feed.
Variants
THL 20
Turreted cannon for helicopters.
POD NC 621
Cannon pod for helicopters and light aircraft.
ARX 20
Remotely controlled weapon station with M621 and a 7.62×51mm machinegun.
SH20
Door mounted cannon for helicopters.
CP 20
Pintle-mounted cannon for vehicles and boats.
15A
Cannon for naval ships.
NARWHAL
Remote-controlled naval gun
System
M621 20mm Autocannon
Name
M621
Type
Autocannon
Caliber
20 mm
Manufacturer
Nexter Systems
Design
The M621 is a gas-operated autocannon. It uses a delayed blowback mechanism. Two locking pieces assure a locked-breech until the round has left the barrel. The M621 uses a single belt feed system, which can be set up for right or left-hand feed.
Length
2,207 mm
Width
202 mm
Height
245 mm
Weight
45.5 kg
Action
Gas operated, delayed blowback
Fire Modes
Automatic & Semi-automatic
Rate of Fire
800 rounds/min
Muzzle Velocity
1,005 m/s (AP-T);
985 m/s (HEI and TP)
Recoil Force
12.5 kg
Feed System
Open-link M12 belt
Ammunition
Type
Rifle
Caliber
20 mm
Cartridge
20×102mm
Basic Load
INA
Note
The M621 fires the 20x102mm round from a single continuous belt. Various types of ammunition can be used. Most common are high explosive or armor piercing rounds. A drawback of the single feed system is that there is no quick change ability between ammunition types.
Details
Country of Origin
France
Category
Guns
Air > Guns
Filter Label
M
Classification
Domain
Air & Air Defense
Equipment Status
Active
Operators (1)
France
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