M197 Gatling gun
| M197 Gatling gun | |
|---|---|
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| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1967–present |
| Used by | United States Marine Corps |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | General Dynamics Armament Systems |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 132 pounds (60 kg) |
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| Cartridge | 20 × 102 mm |
| Caliber | 20 mm |
| Barrels | 3-barrel (progressive RH parabolic twist, 9 grooves) |
| Rate of fire | Up to 1500 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,030 m/s (3,300 ft/s) |
The M197 electric cannon is a three-barreled electric Gatling-type rotary cannon used by the United States military.
The M197 electric cannon was developed primarily for use by United States Army helicopter gunships. Development began in 1967 after experience in the Vietnam War revealed the inadequacy of the 7.62 mm Minigun for gunship use. The M197 is essentially a lightened version of the General Electric M61 Vulcan cannon, with three barrels instead of six. Its maximum rate of fire is one quarter that of the Vulcan, largely to limit its recoil for light aircraft and helicopter use. It shares the Vulcan's M50 and PGU series 20 mm ammunition.
The M197 went into service on later marks of the AH-1 Cobra, using either the M97 or A/A49E-7 armament subsystems, and was also fitted in a ventral turret on the U.S. Marine Corps YOV-10D Bronco NOGS. It is also the basis of the GPU-2/A gun pod, which incorporates the cannon, a battery and electric drive motor, and 300 rounds of linkless ammunition.
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