Growing Family of Light Naval Guns
12 February 2005
The Medium-Calibre product unit of Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH is on the technological cutting edge globally, developing and manufacturing world-class medium-calibre weapons systems and ammunition for ground, air and naval applications.
In addition to the MLG 27 light naval gun, which is currently taking its place as the German Navy's new standard medium-calibre gun throughout the fleet, Rheinmetall Waffe Munition now offers a new 25 x 137mm-cal. – the MLG 25.
The MLG 25 is designed for the close-range defence of major surface combatants and patrol boats, and can be used against surface, air and land targets.
Combining a highly dynamic gun carriage, precision optronics and state-of-the-art ammunition, it enables light, highly agile surface targets to be engaged with a very high degree of accuracy. Moreover, it can be installed on board without having to cut open the deck.
The MLG 25 is remotely operated from separate control unit. The gun is equipped with a target tracking sensor for day and night time operations, and is designed to enable automatic target tracking and manual aiming alike.
The 25 mm FAPDS-T round was developed for engaging both hard and soft targets, and makes do without explosives and detonators.
The principle applied here is based on tried-and-tested subcalibre technology from Oerlikon Contraves. A heavy metal core is coated in plastic in an injection-moulding process, during which the driving band is integrated. The FAPDS round features a very high departure velocity. This results in an extended trajectory and a very short flight time, in turn leading to a very high probability of a hit.
The short flight time and destructive impact of its porous and fragile heavy metal core against a tremendous variety of targets make the FAPDS-T round particularly effective against low-flying targets, especially helicopters.
