Forum: F-35 Armament, Stores and Tactics

Sharp Shooting Analysis Thursday, January 26, 2012
by Scott Bradley, Design Modeling, and Simulation Lead System Design, Evaluation Ltd. Hertfordshire, UK

http://www.designworldonline.com/articl ... lysis.aspx

"...The Nammo 25 mm APEX projectile is a next-generation armor-piercing, high explosive ammunition designed for use with the US F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. The projectile leaves the muzzle of the four-barreled GAU-12 weapon system with a velocity of approximately 1,000 m/sec and experiences a peak setback acceleration of almost 80,000 g. Under these conditions, coupled with severe space restrictions, it is almost impossible to instrument the fuse to gain an understanding of the operation and interaction of components inside. Therefore, while physical testing can be used to confirm function, it often offers only limited information for post analysis in the event of a failure....

...The sensitivity of the fuse is critical to ensure a high probability of success. Through the use of Adams to simulate and optimize the design of the impact mechanism, the successful function of the Nammo 25 mm APEX round against a wide range of targets is assured...."

PIC caption: "The Nammo 25mm APEX projectile is an armor-piercing, high explosive ammunition for use with the US F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft."

http://www.designworldonline.com/upload ... ectile.jpg

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How's that LO gunpod coming? Anyone know?

Are the cannon shells stealthy as well? Cool

No info on the stealthy pod found so far but here is something related:

General Dynamics Awarded $24 Million F-35 Lightning II Gun System Contract

http://investorrelations.gd.com/phoenix ... highlight=

"CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), was awarded a $23.6 million contract by Lockheed Martin Corp. for production of more than two dozen GAU-22/A gun systems for the F-35 Lightning II.

The GAU-22/A is a derivative of General Dynamics' proven GAU-12/U 25mm Gatling gun, which the company has produced for more than 40 years. The GAU-22/A is a lighter-weight, four-barrel version with improved accuracy over the GAU-12/U. General Dynamics has been manufacturing GAU-22/A guns for F-35 aircraft since 2009.

"The GAU-22/A's reliability lends a significant advantage in lower aircraft maintenance costs, while the gun's high rate of fire and increased range bring air superiority in tactical air-to-air and air-to-ground combat situations," said Steve Elgin, vice president and general manager of armament systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products...."

Interesting ammo development:

https://share.sandia.gov/news/resources ... es/bullet/

aceshigh wrote:

Are the cannon shells stealthy as well? Cool

Thats right; they have a 0.025m^2 radar cross section!

That significantly eclipses the parent aircrafts RCS. Sounds like a great last second jammer!

Make the bullets flying saucer shaped. It will make Clarence Johnson turn in his grave but it is an ideal RCS reduction shape!

Ninja Star Knives via Tombe 'the Mist' from Shintaro!

Not exactly the same - but close enough:
http://www.knivesdeal.com/Assassin-Cree ... -TK31S.htm

Now that they've proven the concept of a laser designated rifle caliber bullet, it seems like a lighter weapon using a scaled up variant of this smart ammunition may be worthwhile for policing duties. Lase the target then shoot with confidence that you'll get a majority on target. Radically cuts the ammunition necessary to carry out one's duties.

Or you can scale it up bigger to use in the F-35's cannon so it can actually make those shots count!

U guyz R so off. F-35 cannon fires GummiBears high-velocity. Wiki yourselves Project Sticky. The round is a crowd pleaser admittedly for the taxpayer. /source

Is this gun design for air to air or air to ground?

calel wrote:

Is this gun design for air to air or air to ground?

It's intended for both.

The M61 is specialized for A2A because of its high rate of fire and relatively poor penetrating power. The Avenger is specialized for penetrating tank armour, although it too has a high rate of fire. The equalizer is designed to fall somewhere in between.

madrat wrote:

Now that they've proven the concept of a laser designated rifle caliber bullet, it seems like a lighter weapon using a scaled up variant of this smart ammunition may be worthwhile for policing duties. Lase the target then shoot with confidence that you'll get a majority on target. Radically cuts the ammunition necessary to carry out one's duties.

They did not mention it, but it will take a very stable shooting platform to keep the laser locked on the target the short time the bullet is in the air. A hand gun would challenge to use this unless a second person did the lasing.

Forum: F-35 Armament, Stores and Tactics

Sharp Shooting Analysis (F-35 Ammo)