35 × 228 mm Oerlikon Contraves Pyrotec AG

Company Bushmaster III (USA); GMD-A twin 35 mm naval mounting (Switzerland); 35/1000 revolver cannon; Millenium 35/1000 naval gun system (UK); SkyShield 35 ; Skoda 35 mm SPAAG ( Czech Republic ). NORINCO of China manufactures the Twin 35 mm Towed AA Gun System, a licence-produced version of the Oerlikon Contraves GDF-002 . Development The 35 × 228 mm Oerlikon Contraves Pyrotec Break-Up ammunition was originally designed and developed by NWM De Kruithoorn to provide training for Oerlikon Contraves 35 mm air defence gun crews in the handling, feeding and firing of live ammunition without the corresponding requirement for large ranges and safety areas. Production and sales rights have now been taken over by Oerlikon Contraves Pyrotec AG. Factors such as sound, flash and smoke are the same for real ammunition and gun mechanisms function normally. Simulated targets, such as live aircraft, can be fired at without any danger of the target being hit as the projectiles fired break up into harmless plastic fragments and powder particles after travelling a maximum distance of less than 100 m. Oerlikon Contraves, including Oerlikon Contraves Pyrotec AG, is now a member of Rheinmetall DeTec AG . Description The Oerlikon Contraves Pyrotec Break-Up round, used to simulate operational 35 × 228 mm Oerlikon rounds, resembles a TP round in appearance and handling. It is therefore a fixed round using a steel cartridge case and the usual primer, together with the usual propellant charge. The 35 mm Break-Up projectile consists of a thin plastic jacket made from two parts, friction welded together. The core of the projectile contains specially treated pressed iron powder in tablet form for much of the shell body interior and loose in the base. The nose of the projectile contains a polystyrene foam core. The projectile is glued into the cartridge case mouth after the insertion of a felt disc to provide a separation between the propellant and the glue and to protect the base of the projectile against heat when firing. On firing, the projectile passes up the bore and initial spin is imparted by a moulded white nylon drive band. As centrifugal forces increase, the iron powder filling attempts to migrate outwards but the barrel walls supporting the projectile's plastic jacket prevent any outward movement. The projectile jacket remains intact until it leaves the muzzle. Internal forces then cause the jacket to rupture longitudinally along fluted serrations. The serrations cause the jacket to open up completely and create maximum drag so that it will only travel a short distance. The iron powder filling flows from the ruptured jacket and spreads over the ground close to the gun muzzle. The maximum safety area in front of the gun muzzle required by the 35 mm Break-Up round is 100 m long and 45 m wide. Authorised fuzes None involved Equivalent rounds CANADA CANADA Manufacturer SNC TEC Type: Break-Up C121 Description: Standard specifications.