View source for ADEN cannon

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = ADEN cannon
| image = 30mm ADEN Mk 4 cannon-IMG 6280-white (cropped).jpg
| image_size = 300
| caption = 30 mm ADEN Mk 4 on display at the [[Imperial War Museum Duxford]]
| origin = United Kingdom
| type = [[Revolver cannon]]
<!-- Type selection -->
| is_ranged = yes
| is_artillery = yes
|is_UK=yes
<!-- Service history -->
| service = 
| used_by = See ''[[#Users|users]]''
| wars = 
<!-- Production history -->
| designer = [[Fort Halstead|Armament Development Establishment]]
| design_date = 1946
| manufacturer = [[Royal Small Arms Factory]]
| unit_cost = 
| production_date = 1953–present
| number = 
| variants = 
<!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label = 
| weight = 196 kg (432 lb) with 200 rounds
| length = {{Convert|1590|-|1639|mm|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="AEI" />
| part_length = {{Convert|1080|mm|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="AEI" />
| width = 
| height = 
| diameter = 
| crew = 
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge = 30×113mm belted<ref name=":AMKAT 84" /><ref name=":Air Publication"/>
| caliber = {{convert|30|mm|abbr=on}}
| barrels = 
| action = gas operated revolver
| rate = 1,200–1,700 rpm
| velocity = {{convert|795|m/s|abbr= on}}
| range = 
| max_range = 
| feed = 
}}

The '''Royal Small Arms Factory ADEN cannon''' (ADEN being an [[acronym]] for "Armament Development, Enfield")<ref name=":ADEN dev">{{Cite journal|title=ADEN development |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1955/1955%20-%200109.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212084514/https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1955/1955%20-%200109.PDF|journal=Flight|issue=28 January 1955|pages=109|access-date=2021-05-27 |archive-date=12 February 2018}}</ref> is a 30&nbsp;mm [[revolver cannon]] used on many [[military aircraft]], particularly those of the British [[Royal Air Force]] and [[Fleet Air Arm]].<ref name = "JALW">{{cite book|last =Lennox| first = Duncan | title=Jane's air-launched weapons | url = http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Air-Launched-Weapons/ADEN-30-mm-cannon-United-Kingdom.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130126203931/http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Air-Launched-Weapons/ADEN-30-mm-cannon-United-Kingdom.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 26 January 2013 |year = 2001| publisher = [[Jane's Information Group]]| isbn = 978-0-7106-0866-6 | chapter =Guns: ADEN 30 mm cannon (United Kingdom)}}</ref> Developed post-[[World War II]] primarily to meet British [[Air Ministry]]'s requirement for increased lethality in aircraft armament, the cannon is fired electrically, and is fully automatic once  loaded.<ref name="HHC">{{cite web |url= http://www.hawkerhunter.com/6787/ |title= Aden 30mm Gun Installation |publisher= Hawker Hunter |accessdate= 4 February 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170424092422/http://www.hawkerhunter.com/6787/ |archive-date= 24 April 2017 |url-status= dead |df= dmy-all }}</ref>

== Design and development ==
[[File:30 mm mine shell test.png|thumb|British testing of German 30 mm [[mine shell]] on a [[Bristol Blenheim]]. Single shot test.]]

During [[World War II]], the German firm [[Mauser]] began development of a radically new 20&nbsp;mm [[autocannon]] using a motorised firing mechanism in order to improve the [[rate of fire]]. The weapon was designed for 20mm [[mine shell]] rounds (designated the [[Mauser MG 213]] and for 30mm rounds (the [[Mauser MK 213]]).
However,  production of the MK 213 never commenced due to development problems such as excessive barrel wear, not to mention the Allied [[Combined Bomber Offensive]] campaign against German industry.<ref name=":Hunter Weapons">{{Cite book|title=Volume 2, Part 3, Hunter Weapons, The 30mm ADEN Gun, Rocket Projectiles, Air To Air Missiles, Bombs, etc.|pages=2–6}}</ref> At the end of the war only 5 prototypes (V1 to V5) of either 20 mm MG 213 or 30 mm MK 213 were finished.<ref name=":Hunter Weapons"/>

In the post-war era, the MK 213 became well known in armament circles, and a number of companies took up development. This included the [[Armament Development Establishment]] in the UK and [[GIAT]] in France. A common 30×111mm round<ref name=":AMKAT 84" /><ref name=":Air Publication"/> was developed that offered a dramatic improvement in [[muzzle velocity]] from the MK 108's 500&nbsp;m/s to the new design's {{convert|790|m/s|abbr=on}}. This was only slightly lower than contemporary 20&nbsp;mm cannon like the [[Hispano-Suiza HS.404|Hispano Mk. V]]'s {{convert|840|m/s|abbr=on}}, making the new round suitable for use during [[dogfight]]s as well as against larger targets. The mechanism improved the rate of fire from the Mk. V's 750&nbsp;rpm to 1,300&nbsp;rpm, a significant improvement.<ref name="AEI">{{cite web|url=http://www.aei-systems.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Aden30mm-Mk456.pdf |title=ADEN 30&nbsp;mm Cannon MK 4 & 5 |publisher=AEI Systems Ltd |accessdate=4 February 2011 |location=United Kingdom |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102201822/http://www.aei-systems.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Aden30mm-Mk456.pdf |archivedate=2 January 2014 }}</ref> The new weapon was quickly developed and production was set up at the [[Royal Small Arms Factory]] in Enfield. The name ADEN was created by combining the two first initials of Armament Development Establishment with the first two letters of Enfield, producing ADEN.<ref name=":AMKAT 84" /> 

The ADEN cannon entered service on the British [[Hawker Hunter]] in 1954, and was subsequently used on every British gun-armed aircraft until the advent of the [[Panavia Tornado]] in the 1980s.<ref name="JALW" /> The last version to see production was the Mk. 4. An improved version, the Mk. 5, incorporates a multitude of small changes to improve reliability and increase rate of fire to 1,500–1,700 rounds per minute. No new Mk 5s were built, but many older weapons were converted, being redesignated "Mk 5 Straden".<ref name="AEI" />

GIAT also introduced their version of the design as the [[DEFA cannon]]; the two weapons are very similar.<ref name="JALW" />

=== ADEN 25 ===

The ADEN Mk 5 became the basis for the planned ADEN 25, which was to be a somewhat larger weapon at {{convert|90|in|m|abbr=on}} long and weighing {{convert|203|lb|sigfig=3}} firing the new range of 25x137mm NATO STANAG 4173 ammunition (as developed for [[M242 Bushmaster]]) at a much higher muzzle velocity of {{convert|3445|ft/s|sigfig=3}}. The lighter ammunition was also to produce a higher rate of fire, 1,650 to 1,850 rounds per minute. 
The ADEN 25 was selected for British Harrier GR.5 aircraft. After initial weight issues and persistent problems integrating the cannon with the pod, and the pod with the Harrier GR.5 aircraft, the MoD considered the cost of fixing the problems excessive,<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/disp_pdf.cfm?DACH_RECNO=1059 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019220455/http://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/disp_pdf.cfm?DACH_RECNO=1059 |archive-date=19 October 2017 |title=ADEN Aircraft Cannon}}</ref> and the project was cancelled in 1999. Harrier GR.7 was cleared for emergency use of the ADEN 25. No attempt apparently having been made to retrofit the older ADEN 30&nbsp;mm pods. [[Fleet Air Arm]] [[BAE Sea Harrier]]s retained the 30&nbsp;mm weapon until their retirement in 2006.

== Aircraft use ==
=== Built-in armament ===
[[File:Quad ADEN 30mm Cannon (cropped).jpg|thumb|A quad 30&nbsp;mm ADEN cannon pack removed from a [[Hawker Hunter]]]]

* [[CAC Sabre]]
* [[English Electric Lightning]]
* [[Folland Gnat]]
* [[Gloster Javelin]]
* [[HAL Ajeet]]
* [[HAL HF-24 Marut|HAL Marut]]<ref>{{Cite book |title=Jane's All the Worlds Aircraft 1976/77 |date=1976 |publisher=Jane's Yearbooks |isbn=978-0-354-00538-8 |editor-last=Taylor |editor-first=John W. R. |location=London}}</ref>
* [[Hawker Hunter]]
* [[Saab Draken]]
* [[Saab Lansen]]
* [[SEPECAT Jaguar]]
* [[ST Aerospace A-4SU Super Skyhawk#A-4S and TA-4S|ST Aerospace A-4S Skyhawk]]
* [[Supermarine Scimitar]]
* [[Supermarine Swift]]

=== As external armament ===
[[File:Airpower-Saab-105-OE (cropped).jpg|thumb|FFV 30 mm ADEN gun pod fitted to a [[Saab 105]]Ö]]

The ADEN gun has seen use in several gun pods including:
*British [[Hawker Siddeley Harrier]] and [[BAe Sea Harrier]], as well as the [[United States Marine Corps|US Marine Corps]] AV-8A/Cs, carried two 30 mm ADEN gun pods below the fuselage of the aircraft.
*The {{interlanguage link|FFV 30 mm akankapsel|lt=FFV 30 mm|sv}} and Matra SA-10 gunpods produced for [[Swedish Air Force]] by collaboration with [[Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori|FFV]] and [[Matra|S. A. Engins Matra]] used on [[Saab 37|Saab AJ 37]] and [[Saab 105|Saab Sk 60B/C]] attack aircraft during the early 1970s used guns taken from scrapped Swedish [[Saab 32|Saab J 32Bs]] and Hawker Hunter J 34s. The FFV pod has also been sold to the [[Austrian Air Force]] for use on their [[Saab 105]]Ös.
*A centreline gun pod containing ADEN gun and 100 rounds on the [[BAE Systems Hawk]] in RAF service. It is still in active service with, among others, the [[South African Air Force]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-03-23|title=SAAF orders new Aden gun pod|url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/aerospace-aerospace/saaf-orders-new-aden-gun-pod/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-04|website=defenceweb.co.za|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804144256/https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/aerospace-aerospace/saaf-orders-new-aden-gun-pod/ |archive-date=4 August 2021 }}</ref>

== Specifications==
The Aden is belt feed using a disintegrating belt of open type links.

*'''Type:''' Single-barrel aircraft autocannon
*'''[[Action (firearms)|Action]]:''' Revolver drum with 5 chambers<ref name=":Saab 105">{{Cite book|title=Saab 105, Flyghistorisk revy|publisher=Svensk Flyghistorisk Förening|year=2013|location=Sweden|pages=80, 81}}</ref>
*'''Operation:''' [[Gas operation]]<ref name="AEI" />
*'''Cocking-system:''' [[Pneumatic]]<ref name="AEI" />
*'''[[Primer (firearms)|Priming]]:''' [[Electronic firing]]<ref name="AEI" />
*'''Firing-system:''' Electrical 26 volts [[Direct current|DC]] 
*'''[[Rifling]]:''' Progressive RH parabolic twist, 16 grooves<ref name="AEI" /> 
*'''[[Cartridge (firearms)|Cartridge]]:''' 30&nbsp;×&nbsp;113&nbsp;mm<ref name=":AMKAT 84" /><ref name=":Air Publication"/>
*'''Calibre:''' {{Convert|30|mm|in|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}
*'''Weight of complete weapon:''' {{Convert|87.1|kg|lb|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}, {{Convert|196|kg|lb|abbr=on|sigfig=3}} with 200 rounds<ref name="JALW" />
*'''Length of complete weapon:''' {{Convert|1590|-|1639|mm|ftin|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<ref name="AEI" /><ref name=":Saab 105" />
*'''Weight of barrel:''' {{Convert|12.25|kg|lb|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<ref name="AEI" />
*'''Length of barrel:''' {{Convert|1080|mm|ftin|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<ref name="AEI" />
*'''Recoil load:''' 31.4 [[Kilonewton|kN]]
*'''Rate of fire:''' 1,200–1,500 rpm (ADEN Mk. 4),<ref name=":Saab 105" /> 1,500–1,700 rpm (ADEN Mk.5)
{{clear}}
=== Ammunition===
[[File:Eldvapenammunition utbildningstavla (30 mm high capacity high explosive).jpg|thumb|upright|Swedish 30 mm High Explosive Mk.3Z<ref name=":AMRÖJ" /><ref name=":Air Publication"/><br>''30 mm mgr m/55''{{efn|Full designation: ''30 mm skarp patron m/55 mingranat m/55''. Swedish production is painted yellow and British production is painted [[Buff (colour)|buff]].<ref name=":AMKAT 57">{{Cite book|title=Flygvapnets eldvapenammunition|publisher=Försvarets materielverk, FMV|year=1957|location=Sweden}}</ref><ref name=":Hunter Weapons"/>}}]]
[[File:Eldvapenammunition utbildningstavla (target practice).jpg|thumb|upright|Swedish 30 mm Practice Mk.2Z<ref name=":AMRÖJ" /><ref name=":Air Publication"/><br>''30 mm övnprj m/55''{{efn|Full designation: ''30 mm skarp patron m/55 övningsprojektil m/55''. Early production is painted black and later production is painted brown.<ref name=":AMKAT 57"/><ref name=":Hunter Weapons"/>}}]]
Ammunition for the ADEN included.<ref name=":AMKAT 84"/><ref name=":Air Publication"/>

;High Explosive (High Explosive Mk.3Z{{efn|Full designation: "Cartridge, 30mm, Aden gun, High Explosive Mk. 3Z"<ref name=":Air Publication">{{Cite book|title=Air Publication, 110L-0201-1, 30mm ammunition and fuzes, (Aden Gun), General and technical information|publisher=Ministry of Defence, Prepared by the Ministry of Technology|year=1970|location=United Kingdom}}</ref>}} <ref name=":Air Publication"/>)
*'''Projectile type:''' "High-Explosive, High-Capacity"<ref name=":AMRÖJ">{{Cite book|title=Ammunitionsröjning, FV akanam. Data och bilder, Kursutgåva 1975|publisher=Försvarets materielverk, Huvudavdelningen för flygmateriel, Vapenbyrån|year=1975|location=Sweden|publication-date=1975-05-21|page=8|language=Swedish}}</ref>
*'''[[Fuze]] type:''' Nose fuze<ref name=":AMRÖJ" />
*'''[[Explosive]] filling:''' {{Convert|52.5|g|oz|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<ref name=":Saab 105" /> [[Torpex]] 5<ref name=":Air Publication"/> (Hexotonal)<ref name=":AMRÖJ" />
*'''Cartridge weight:''' {{Convert|440|g|oz|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<ref name=":AMKAT 84">{{Cite book|title=AMKAT, Ammunitionskatalog, Data och bilder, Flygvapnet|publisher=Försvarets materielverk, FMV|year=1984|location=Sweden}}</ref>
*'''Projectile weight:''' {{Convert|220|g|oz|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<ref name=":AMKAT 84" />
*'''[[Propellant]] weight:''' {{Convert|46|g|oz|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<ref name=":AMKAT 84" />
*'''[[Copper units of pressure|CU-pressure]]:''' 2930 [[Bar (unit)|bar]]<ref name=":AMKAT 84" />
*'''Muzzle velocity:''' {{Convert|795|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on|sigfig=3}} {{efn|name=temp|at {{Convert|20|C|F|abbr=on}} }} <ref name=":AMKAT 84" />

;Armour-piercing (30 mm pprj m/55{{efn|Full designation: ''30 mm skarp patron m/55 pansarprojektil m/55''<ref name=":AMKAT 84"/>}} Sweden<ref name=":AMKAT 84"/>)
*'''Projectile type:''' [[Armour-Piercing, Composite Rigid]]<ref name=":Saab 105" />
*'''Fuze type:''' None<ref name=":Saab 105" />
*'''Core type:''' [[Tungsten]] penetrator<ref name=":Saab 105" />
*'''Cartridge weight:''' {{Convert|511|g|oz|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<ref name=":AMKAT 84" />
*'''Projectile weight:''' {{Convert|270|g|oz|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<ref name=":AMKAT 84" />
*'''Core weight:''' {{Convert|150|g|oz|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<ref name=":Saab 105" />
*'''Propellant weight:''' {{Convert|47|g|oz|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<ref name=":AMKAT 84" />
*'''CU-pressure:''' 2930 [[Bar (unit)|bar]]<ref name=":AMKAT 84" />
*'''Muzzle velocity:''' {{Convert|795|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}{{efn|name=temp}}<ref name=":AMKAT 84" />

;Target practice (Practice Mk.2Z{{efn|Full designation: "Cartridge, 30mm, Aden gun, Practice Mk. 2Z"<ref name=":Air Publication"/>}}, UK )<ref name=":Air Publication"/>
*'''Projectile type:''' Inert solid metal plug in place of fuze and explosive charge<ref name=":AMRÖJ" />
*'''Cartridge weight:''' {{Convert|440|g|oz|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<ref name=":AMKAT 84" />
*'''Projectile weight:''' {{Convert|220|g|oz|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<ref name=":AMKAT 84" />
*'''Core weight:''' {{Convert|80.5|g|oz|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<ref name=":AMRÖJ" /><ref name=":AMKAT 84" />
*'''Propellant weight:''' {{Convert|46|g|oz|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<ref name=":AMKAT 84" />
*'''CU-pressure:''' 2930 [[Bar (unit)|bar]]<ref name=":AMKAT 84" />
*'''Muzzle velocity:''' {{Convert|795|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}{{efn|name=temp}}<ref name=":AMKAT 84" />

== Users ==
{{incomplete list|date=August 2021}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
;{{AUS}}
*[[Royal Australian Air Force]]
;{{BHR}}
*[[Royal Bahraini Air Force]]
;{{BEL}}
*[[Belgian Air Component]]
;{{CHI}}
*[[Chilean Air Force]]
;{{DNK}}
*[[Danish Air Force]]
;{{FIN}}
*[[Finnish Air Force]]
;{{flag|Iraq|1963}}
*[[Iraqi Air Force]]
;{{IND}}
*[[Indian Air Force]]
*[[Indian Naval Air Arm]]
;{{INA}}
*[[Indonesian Air Force]] (TNI-AU)
;{{JOR}}
*[[Royal Jordanian Air Force]]
;{{KEN}}
*[[Kenyan Air Force]]
;{{KWT}}
*[[Kuwait Air Force]]
;{{LBN}}
*[[Lebanese Air Force]]
;{{NLD}}
*[[Royal Netherlands Air Force]]
;{{MYS}}
*[[Royal Malaysian Air Force]]
;{{OMN}}
*[[Royal Air Force of Oman]]
;{{PER}}
*[[Peruvian Air Force]]
;{{QAT}}
*[[Qatar Emiri Air Force]]
;{{flag|Rhodesia}} (now {{ZIM}})
*[[Royal Rhodesian Air Force]] (later to [[Air Force of Zimbabwe]])
;{{SAU}}
*[[Royal Saudi Air Force]]
;{{SIN}}
*[[Republic of Singapore Air Force]]
;{{RSA}}
*[[South African Air Force]]
;{{ROK}}
*[[Republic of Korea Air Force]]
;{{SOM}}
*[[Somali Air Corps]]
;{{ESP}}
*[[Spanish Navy#Spanish Naval Air Arm|Spanish Naval Air Arm]]
;{{SWE}}
*[[Swedish Air Force]] – designated ''30 mm akan m/55''
;{{SUI}}
*[[Swiss Air Force]]
;{{THA}}
*[[Royal Thai Navy]] Flying Unit
;{{UAE}}
*[[United Arab Emirates Air Force]]
;{{UK}}
*[[Fleet Air Arm]]
*[[Royal Air Force]]
{{div col end}}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== See also ==
* [[VENOM LR 30 mm gun|VENOM LR 30 mm]] – British 21st century derivative of ADEN, 113mm long variant
* [[DEFA cannon]] – comparable French design, 113mm long
* [[GIAT 30]] - comparable French design, 113mm & 150mm long
* [[Oerlikon KCA]] - comparable Swiss design, 173mm long
* [[VENOM LR 30 mm gun|VENOM 30 mm]] – British 173mm long variant
* [[Mauser BK-27]] – comparable German design, 27mm diameter
* [[Rikhter R-23|R-23 cannon]] – comparable Russian design, 23mm
* [[M39 cannon]] – comparable US design, 20mm diameter

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091210135207/http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/mauserandaden.cfm Mauser and Aden Cannon (RAF source)]

[[Category:30 mm artillery]]
[[Category:Aircraft guns]]
[[Category:Autocannon]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1950s]]