View source for LW25 (25 mm)

== Description ==
<!--''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this weapon system in the game.''-->
The '''25 mm LW25''' ("Light Weight" 25 mm) is an American autocannon currently exclusively equipped onto the {{Specs-Link|us_m60a3_slep}}. A derivative of the [[M242 (25 mm)|25 mm M242]] autocannon, the LW25 acts as a lightweight weapon system for vehicle mounts in the same niche as weapon systems such as the [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|.50 calibre M2 Browning]].

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
<!-- ''List out vehicles that are equipped with the weapon.'' -->

* {{Specs-Link|us_m60a3_slep}}

== General info ==
''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the cannon or machine gun.''

=== Available ammunition ===
<!--''Describe the shells that are available for the weapon and their features and purpose. If it concerns autocannons or machine guns, write about different ammo belts and what is inside (which types of shells).''-->

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| Default || HEDP || 36 || 36 || 36 || 36 || 36 || 36
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay<br>(m)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
|-
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
|-
| Default || HEDP || 405 || 0.14 || 0.05 || 0.1 || 26.88 || 62° || 69° || 73°
|-
|}

=== Comparison with analogues ===
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== Usage in battles ==
<!--''Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against notable opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.''-->

The 25 mm LW25 serves mostly as a backup role among the different weapon systems on the M60 AMBT. The LW25 fires HEDP rounds that have more armour-penetration compared to a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, but they are also fired at a lower muzzle velocity than the 12.7 mm. As such, it would be a poor weapon against a fast-moving enemy jet (although firing a tracer stream towards them could shake up their attack run), but the LW25 is a good fall back weapon should the M60 AMBT encounter a lightly-armoured vehicle such as light tanks or SPAA, or even a low-flying helicopter, that the HEDP could have good effect on.

Since the gun is on the roof of the tank's turret, the lower muzzle velocity of the 25 mm shells could also allow some higher angled shots to fire at enemy behind cover or terrain.

=== Pros and cons ===
<!--'Describe the shells that are available for the weapon and their features and purpose. If it concerns autocannons or machine guns, write about different ammo belts and what is inside (which types of shells).-->

'''Pros:'''
* Good against lightly armoured vehicles or helicopters
* One continuous 300-round belt so shooters do not need to worry about reloading
* Entire ammo belt has tracers, meaning one could just walk the 25 mm shells into the enemy or intimidate them by firing at their location.
* Low muzzle velocity means projectile drop could be sufficient to attack enemies behind low cover
* Mounted high on the M60 AMBT turret, which allows for an elevated firing perspective

'''Cons:'''

* Insufficient armour-piercing power for attacking most tanks from any angles, except possibly roof armour and weak points.
* Low muzzle velocity makes weapon rather poor for long-range engagements or against fast-moving vehicles.
* Low rate of fire
* Only a single ammo choice (HEDP) available

== History ==
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== Media ==
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== See also ==
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* ''reference to the article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==
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* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;''
* ''other literature.''

{{USA tank cannons}}

[[Category:Tank cannons]]