XM301 [SEP] manufacturer
XM301
The XM301 Cannon is an externally powered, three-barrel 20 mm Gatling gun made by General Dynamics for the U.S. Army. Developed for use with the RAH-66 Comanche stealth helicopter, it is the world's lightest 20 mm rotary cannon. The XM301 was designed to be a versatile and accurate lightweight cannon that could serve both an air-to-air and air-to-ground role. Development and manufacture of the XM301 was cancelled in 2004 along with its parent RAH-66 program.
Description.
The
XM301 is a lightweight, three-barrel version of the M61 Vulcan. It is externally powered, relying on the same power delivery system as the Vulcan. It fires M50 and PGU-series ammunition found in the Vulcan, as well as newer lightweight X1031/1032 aluminum-cased ammunition at either 750 or 1500 rounds per minute. Designed for use in combat helicopters, the XM301 boasts a dispersion of 2.2 milliradians, making it accurate at long ranges. The XM301 weighs 80.5 pounds, less than a third the weight of the Vulcan