View source for Engineering:DEFA cannon

{{inline|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox weapon
|name= DEFA cannon
|image= File:Canon DEFA MG 1359.jpg

|caption= DEFA cannon in a Mirage III twin mount
|origin=France
|type= [[Engineering:Revolver cannon|Revolver cannon]]
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=yes
|is_bladed=no
|is_explosive=yes
|is_artillery=no
|is_vehicle=no
|is_missile=no
|is_UK=yes
<!-- Service history -->
|service= 1954–present
|used_by=France, Switzerland, Israel, Italy, South Africa and others.
|wars=
<!-- Production history -->
|designer= DEFA
|design_date=Late 1940s
|manufacturer=CASA, Dassault Aviation, [[Company:Matra|Matra]], [[Company:AEi Systems|AEi Systems]].
|unit_cost=
|production_date= 1954
|number=
|variants=
<!-- General specifications -->
|spec_label=
|weight= '''552''':  {{convert|80|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<br>'''553''': {{convert|83|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<br>'''554''': {{convert|85|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|length= '''552''': {{convert|1.66|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<br>'''553''': {{convert|1.86|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<br>'''554''': {{convert|2.01|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|part_length='''552''': {{convert|1.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|width=
|height=
|diameter=
|crew=
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
|cartridge= 30 × 113 mm
|caliber= {{convert|30 |mm |abbr=on}}
|barrels=
|action=Five-chamber [[Engineering:Revolver cannon|revolver]]
|rate='''552''': 1,100-1,500 rpm<br>'''553''': 1,300 rpm<br>'''554''': 1,100 rpm (low) or 1,800 rpm (high)
|velocity= {{convert|765-815|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}
|range=
|max_range=
|feed=
|sights=
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
|breech=
|recoil=
|carriage=
|elevation=
|traverse=
<!-- Explosive specifications -->
|filling=
|filling_weight=
|detonation=
|yield=
}}

The '''DEFA cannon''' (''Direction des Études et Fabrications d'Armement'') is a family of widely-used French-made aircraft [[Engineering:Revolver cannon|revolver cannon]] firing 30 mm caliber NATO standard rounds.

==Design history==
The initial DEFA 551 was developed in the late 1940s. It is based on the German [[Engineering:Mauser MG 213|Mauser MG 213]]C, an experimental [[Engineering:Revolver cannon|revolver cannon]] developed for the ''Luftwaffe''. The MG 213 never reached production, but inspired the DEFA, the very similar British [[Engineering:ADEN cannon|ADEN cannon]], and the smaller American [[Engineering:M39 cannon|M39 cannon]]. As the ''DEFA 552'' it entered production in 1954. In 1968 an upgraded version, Canon 550-F3, was developed, entering production in 1971 as the ''DEFA 553''. The new version provided a new feed system, nichrome plated steel barrel, forged drum casing, and improved electrical reliability.

==Overview==
[[File:Canon DEFA MG 1400.jpg|thumb|left|Cut-away model of a DEFA cannon for instruction]]
The DEFA 553 is a gas-operated five-chamber [[Engineering:Revolver cannon|revolver cannon]] using pyrotechnic cocking and electrical ignition. It fires a range of 30&nbsp;mm ammunition of various types, and is capable of continuous fire or 0.5-second or 1-second bursts.

The 553 was superseded by the DEFA 554, which incorporates a number of detail improvements. The DEFA 554 uses three, rather than two, of the chambers for reloading, increasing the rate of fire. Barrel life and mechanical reliability are improved, and an electrical control unit allows the pilot to select two rates of fire: 1,800 rounds per minute for air-to-air use or 1,200 rounds per minute for air-to-ground attacks. The 554 also provides three [[Engineering:Pyrotechnic cocking charge|Pyrotechnic cocking charge]]s rather than one, allowing the pilot to cock the weapon after take-off and have two cartridges to re-cock the weapon if necessary in flight.

==Service use==
[[File:Canon DEFA MG 1462.JPG|thumb|right|DEFA cannon of a Mirage III in twin mount]]
The DEFA 550 series was the standard cannon armament of all gun-armed French fighters from 1954 until the advent of the [[Engineering:Dassault Rafale|Dassault Rafale]] in the 1980s. A pair of these weapons, with 125–135 rounds per gun, is standard fit on the Brazilian ground-attack aircraft [[Engineering:AMX International AMX|AMX International AMX]], the French Dassault MD 450 Ouragan, Dassault Mystere, [[Engineering:Dassault Mirage III|Mirage III/V]], [[Engineering:Dassault Étendard IV|Dassault Étendard IV]] and Dassault Super Étendard, [[Engineering:Sud Aviation Vautour|Sud Aviation Vautour]], Mirage F1, [[Engineering:SEPECAT Jaguar|SEPECAT Jaguar]], and the Mirage 2000 series. It was also used on Israeli [[Engineering:Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|Douglas A-4E/F/H/N Skyhawk]]s, [[Engineering:IAI Nesher|IAI Nesher]], [[Engineering:IAI Kfir|IAI Kfir]], and [[Engineering:IAI Lavi|IAI Lavi]], the Italian [[Engineering:Fiat G.91Y|Fiat G.91Y]] and [[Engineering:Aermacchi MB-326|Aermacchi MB-326]]K, the Indonesian A-4, and the South African [[Engineering:Atlas Cheetah|Atlas Cheetah]] and [[Engineering:Aermacchi MB-326#South Africa|Impala Mk.II]]. Various [[Engineering:Gun pod|gun pod]] installations are available from CASA, Dassault Aviation, and [[Company:Matra|Matra]].

The DEFA 550 is very similar to the British ADEN cannon, and can use the same ammunition.

The DEFA 550 series has given way to the [[Engineering:GIAT 30|GIAT 30]] series used on the [[Engineering:Dassault Rafale|Dassault Rafale]], although it is likely to remain in widespread use for many years.

==Variants==
* DEFA 551 for the [[Engineering:Dassault Mystère IV|Dassault Mystère IV]], the [[Engineering:Dassault Mystère|Dassault Mystère IIC]], and the [[Engineering:Sud Aviation Vautour|Sud Aviation Vautour]]
* DEFA 552 for the Dassault Super Mystère B2, the [[Engineering:Dassault Étendard IV|Dassault Étendard IV]], and the Aeritalia G.91Y
* DEFA 552A for the Mirage III/[[Engineering:Dassault Mirage 5|5/50]], the [[Engineering:IAI Nesher|Nesher/Dagger/Finger]], the [[Engineering:IAI Kfir|IAI Kfir]], and the [[Engineering:IAI Lavi|IAI Lavi]]
* DEFA 553 for the [[Engineering:Dassault Mirage F1|Dassault Mirage F1]], the Alpha Jet, the [[Engineering:SEPECAT Jaguar|SEPECAT Jaguar]], the Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard, the Mirage 2000D RMV, the [[Engineering:Aermacchi MB-326|Aermacchi MB-326K]], the [[Engineering:CASA C-101|CASA C-101]], the [[Engineering:Atlas Cheetah|Atlas Cheetah]], the Impala Mk II, the [[Engineering:FMA IA 58 Pucará|IA-58B/C]], and the IA-63
* DEFA 554 for the single-seat Mirage 2000, the AMX A-1, the [[Engineering:FMA IA 58 Pucará|IA-58D]], and the IA-63

== Operators ==
=== Current operators ===
* {{flag|France}}: Mirage 2000, previously Super Étendard, Mirage F1, Jaguar, Mirage 5, Étendard IVM, Mirage III, Super Mystère B2, Mystère IV, Mystère IIC, and Vautour II
* {{flag|UAE}}: Mirage 2000-9,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2019-11-18/uae-signs-mirage-upgrade|title = UAE Signs up for Mirage Upgrade}}</ref> previously Mirage 5, Mirage III, and MB-326K
* {{flag|India}}: Mirage 2000I/TI, previously Mystère IV
* {{flag|Italy}}: MB-339A & CD
* {{flag|Greece}}: Mirage 2000-5 Mk2, previously Mirage F1
* {{flag|Colombia}}: Kfir Block 60, previously Mirage 5
* {{flag|Brazil}}: AMX, previously Mirage 2000C/B and Mirage III
* {{flag|Qatar}}: Mirage 2000-5, previously Mirage F1
* {{flag|Taiwan}}: Mirage 2000-5
* {{flag|Morocco}}: Mirage F1 ASTRAC
* {{flag|Pakistan}}: Mirage 5 ROSE and Mirage III
* {{flag|Ecuador}}: Cheetah, previously Mirage F1, Kfir, Mirage 50 and Impala Mk II
* {{flag|Argentina}}: Super Étendard Modernisé, A-4 and IA-63, previously IA-58, Finger, Dagger, Mirage 5P, and Mirage III
* {{flag|Peru}}: Mirage 2000P/DP, previously Mirage 5P
* {{flag|Egypt}}: Mirage 2000EM/BM and Mirage 5
* {{flag|Iran}}: Mirage F1
* {{flag|Sri Lanka}}: Kfir<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29923/Israel_Aerospace_to_Upgrade_Sri_Lankan_Air_Force_s_Kfir_Aircraft|title = Israel Aerospace to Upgrade Sri Lankan Air Force's Kfir Aircraft}}</ref>
* {{flag|Chile}}: A-36 Toqui/C-101CC, previously Mirage 50, Mirage 5 and Mirage III
* {{flag|Gabon}}: Mirage F1, previously Mirage 5
* {{flag|Libya}}: Mirage F1, previously Mirage 5

=== Former operators ===
* {{flag|Spain}}: Mirage F1 and Mirage III
* {{flag|South Africa}}: Cheetah, Mirage F1, Nesher, Mirage III and Impala Mk II
* {{flag|Israel}}: A-4, Lavi, Kfir, Nesher, Mirage 5, Mirage IIIC, Super Mystère B2, Mystère IV, and Vautour II
* {{flag|Jordan}}: C-101CC and Mirage F1
* {{flag|Iraq}}: Super Étendard and Mirage F1
* {{flag|Kuwait}}: Mirage F1
* {{flag|Venezuela}}: Mirage 50, Mirage 5 and Mirage III
* {{flag|Belgium}}: Mirage 5
* {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}: Mirage 5
* {{flag|Zaire}}: Mirage 5 and MB-326K
* {{flag|Australia}}: Mirage III
* {{flag|Lebanon}}: Mirage III
* {{flag|Portugal}}: G.91 R/3
* {{flag|Honduras}}: Super Mystère B2
* {{flag|Italy}}: G.91Y
* {{flag|Indonesia}}: A-4
* {{flag|Ghana}}: MB-326K
* {{flag|Tunisia}}: MB-326K

==See also==
* [[Engineering:Mauser BK-27|Mauser BK-27]] – comparable German design
* [[Engineering:Rikhter R-23|R-23 cannon]] – comparable Russian design
* [[Engineering:Oerlikon KBA|Oerlikon KBA]] - comparable Swiss design

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110721015022/http://www.nexter-group.fr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85:canon-30m-550-&catid=44:secteur-aeronautique&Itemid=90&lang=en Nexter website: DEFA 30M factsheet]
* [http://www.saairforce.co.za/the-airforce/weapons/39/defa-553-30mm-cannon South Africa Air Force: DEFA cannon factsheet]
* [http://www.canit.se/~griffon/aviation/text/akandata.htm List of Military Gatling & Revolver cannons]

===Video links===
* {{youtube|knVGQ3zl7lI|DEFA gun camera video}} of an Argentinian [[Engineering:IAI Nesher|IAI Dagger]] during the Battle of San Carlos

{{DEFAULTSORT:Defa Cannon}}
[[Category:Aircraft guns]]
[[Category:Autocannon]]

{{Sourceattribution|DEFA cannon}}