Description

20 mm Specialized Ammunition – Overview

20 mm caliber ammunition is used in autocannons, aircraft guns, helicopter-mounted cannons, and vehicle weapon systems. It serves multiple roles: anti-aircraft, anti-vehicle, armor-piercing, high-explosive, and training purposes.

General Features

• Caliber: 20 mm
• Types:
  • HEI (High-Explosive Incendiary)
  • API (Armor-Piercing Incendiary)
  • TP (Target Practice)
  • HEIT (High-Explosive Incendiary Tracer)
  • SAPHEI (Semi-Armor-Piercing High-Explosive Incendiary)
  • HEF (High-Explosive Fragmentation)
• Fuzing: Usually point-detonating or delay fuzes
• Use:
  • Engaging air targets (planes, drones, missiles)
  • Light armored vehicles
  • Personnel in open or behind light cover
  • Soft targets like radars, fuel tanks, trucks

Common Weapon Systems

• M61 Vulcan (rotary cannon on F-16, F/A-18)
• GIAT 20M621 (used on helicopters and vehicles)
• Oerlikon KAA and KAD (ground-based or naval autocannons)
• M39 cannon, Hispano-Suiza HS.820, etc.

Typical Specifications

• Projectile Diameter: 20 mm
• Cartridge Lengths: Commonly 20×102 mm, 20×110 mm, 20×128 mm, or 20×139 mm
• Projectile Weight: ~100–120 grams
• Muzzle Velocity: ~850–1,050 m/s
• Effective Range: ~1,500–2,000 meters (ground); longer for air-to-air

Color Coding & Tips (Visual ID)

• Yellow Tip: High-Explosive
• Red Band: Incendiary or Tracer
• Black Tip: Armor-Piercing
• Blue Tip: Inert or Target Practice
• Green Band: Often indicates HEAT or special warhead types

Specialized Roles

• Air Defense: Against fast-moving aerial targets
• Vehicle Armament: Against infantry, light armor, and buildings
• Naval Defense: CIWS (Close-In Weapon Systems) against missiles and aircraft
• Helicopters & Aircraft: For strafing ground targets or air-to-air engagement