DEFA cannon

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	Weapon: DEFA cannon Type: Autocannon Country of Origin: France Year Adopted: 1954 Overall Length (mm): 1660.0 Overall Length (in): 65.35 Weight (kg): 85.00 Weight (pounds): 187.39

The DEFA cannon, developed in France after World War II, was a family of revolver-type autocannons designed primarily for aircraft use. Originating from captured German Mauser MG 213 designs, the DEFA 551 series and later models such as the DEFA 552 and 553 utilized a gas-operated, single-barrel, five-chamber revolver mechanism. The weapon fired 30x113mmB ammunition and was known for its balance of high rate of fire, reliability, and manageable recoil-making it suitable for jet fighters and attack aircraft. Weighing approximately 85 kg, the DEFA had a practical rate of fire around 1,200 rounds per minute and was often integrated with centralized gun pods or internal mounts in aircraft fuselages or wings.

Production of the DEFA cannon began in the late 1940s, with widespread adoption by the French Air Force and subsequent exports to allied nations. Over the decades, DEFA cannons were fitted to numerous aircraft, including the Dassault Ouragan, Mystere, Mirage III, Mirage F1, and the SEPECAT Jaguar. The cannon was produced in the tens of thousands, with various improvements over time to enhance reliability, barrel life, and firing mechanisms. Later models like the DEFA 554 featured electric ignition and a higher rate of fire, reflecting advances in aircraft and weapons integration. The cannon's widespread use cemented its reputation as a standard NATO aircraft armament during the Cold War.

The DEFA cannon gained notoriety not just for its technical performance but for its longevity and international usage. It remained in service for decades and saw action in numerous conflicts involving French and allied aircraft. Notably, its design and ammunition compatibility influenced other cannon systems, including the British ADEN cannon and the American M230 chain gun. Though largely phased out in favor of more modern systems like the GIAT 30 and Mauser BK-27, the DEFA cannon remains a symbol of postwar European aerospace innovation and a mainstay of Cold War-era airpower.

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