GIAT M.621 (20 mm)

Description

The M.621 is an autocannon of French origin. It was developed in the 1960's by Giat (now Nexter Systems) as a vehicle and light aircraft armament. The main advantages are its limited weight and low recoil.

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

• SA.341F Gazelle (Modification)
• AH-60

General info

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Available ammunition

• Default: P · HEF-I · HEF-I · API-T
• Universal: HEF-I · API-T
• Air targets: HEF-I · HEF-I · HEF-I · API-T
• Armored targets: API-T · AP-I · AP-I
• Stealth: HEF-I · HEF-I · HEF-I · AP-I

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
	10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
P	15	13	10	8	7	6
API-T	40	36	22	12	6	3
HEF-I	5	5	3	2	2	2
AP-I	40	36	22	12	6	3

Shell details
Ammunition	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
						0%	50%	100%
P	1,030	0.1	-	-	-	47°	56°	65°
API-T	1,030	0.1	-	-	-	47°	60°	65°
HEF-I	1,030	0.1	0.2	0.1	16	79°	80°	81°
AP-I	1,030	0.1	-	-	-	47°	56°	65°

Comparison with analogues

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Usage in battles

The GIAT M.621 performs well in an anti-plane role with a high rate of fire, being able to dismantle critical parts of aircraft fairly quickly. On the AH-60 the lead for the cannon can automatically be tracked when a target is locked, enhancing the lethality and effectiveness of the weapon.

In an anti-ground role, the M.621 performs worse when compared to other helicopter-mounted cannons from other nations. With a maximum penetration of 40 mm, only light vehicles such as BMPs can be destroyed while most medium tanks are invulnerable even from the roof. The M.621 also does not have access to APDS ammunition unlike other nations cannons.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• High rate of fire and relatively high accuracy
• Effective against aircraft and light ground vehicles

Cons:

• Maximum 40 mm of penetration, which is inadequate to combat most tanks

History

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Media

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See also

• 20F2 (20 mm) - Based on the M.621 design

External links

• [NavWeaps.com] GIAT M621