View source for DEFA cannon

{{more footnotes|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox weapon
|name= DEFA cannon
|image= File:Canon DEFA MG 1359.jpg
|caption= DEFA cannon in a [[Mirage III]] twin mount
|origin=France
|type= [[Revolver cannon]]
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=yes
|is_bladed=no
|is_explosive=yes
|is_artillery=no
|is_vehicle=no
|is_missile=no
|is_UK=yes
<!-- Service history -->
|service= 1954–present
|used_by=France, Switzerland, Israel, Italy, South Africa and others.
|wars=
<!-- Production history -->
|designer= [[Nexter|DEFA]]
|design_date=Late 1940s
|manufacturer=[[Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA|CASA]], [[Dassault Aviation]], [[Matra]], [[AEi Systems]].
|unit_cost=
|production_date= 1954
|number=
|variants=
<!-- General specifications -->
|spec_label=
|weight= '''552''':  {{convert|80|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<br />'''553''': {{convert|83|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<br />'''554''': {{convert|85|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|length= '''552''': {{convert|1.66|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<br />'''553''': {{convert|1.86|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<br />'''554''': {{convert|2.01|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|part_length='''552''': {{convert|1.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|width=
|height=
|diameter=
|crew=
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
|cartridge=30 × 113 mm
|caliber= {{convert|30 |mm |abbr=on}}
|barrels=
|action=Five-chamber [[revolver cannon|revolver]]
|rate='''552''': 1,100-1,500 rpm<br />'''553''': 1,300 rpm<br />'''554''': 1,100 rpm (low) or 1,800 rpm (high)
|velocity= {{convert|765-815|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}
|range=
|max_range=
|feed=
|sights=
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
|breech=
|recoil=
|carriage=
|elevation=
|traverse=
<!-- Explosive specifications -->
|filling=
|filling_weight=
|detonation=
|yield=
}}

The '''DEFA cannon''' (''Direction des Études et Fabrications d'Armement'') is a family of widely used French-made aircraft [[revolver cannon]] firing [[30 mm caliber]] [[NATO]] standard rounds.

==Design history==
The initial DEFA 551 was developed in the late 1940s. It is based on the German [[Mauser MG 213]]C, an experimental [[revolver cannon]] developed for the ''[[Luftwaffe]]''. The MG 213 never reached production, but inspired the DEFA, the very similar British [[ADEN cannon]], and the smaller American [[M39 cannon]]. As the ''DEFA 552'' it entered production in 1954. In 1968 an upgraded version, Canon 550-F3, was developed, entering production in 1971 as the ''DEFA 553''. The new version provided a new feed system, nichrome plated steel barrel, forged drum casing, and improved electrical reliability.

==Overview==
[[File:Canon DEFA MG 1400.jpg|thumb|left|Cut-away model of a DEFA cannon for instruction]]
The DEFA 553 is a [[gas-operated]] five-chamber [[revolver cannon]] using pyrotechnic cocking and electrical ignition. It fires a range of 30&nbsp;mm ammunition of various types, and is capable of continuous fire or 0.5-second or 1-second bursts.

The 553 was superseded by the DEFA 554, which incorporates a number of detail improvements. The DEFA 554 uses three, rather than two, of the chambers for reloading, increasing the rate of fire. Barrel life and mechanical reliability are improved, and an electrical control unit allows the pilot to select two rates of fire: 1,800 rounds per minute for air-to-air use or 1,200 rounds per minute for air-to-ground attacks. The 554 also provides three pyrotechnic cocking charges rather than one, allowing the pilot to cock the weapon after take-off and have two cartridges to re-cock the weapon if necessary in flight.{{clarification needed|date=December 2025|reason=Is this cocking (to make the firing mechanism ready) or charging (to load ammunition and possibly cock)?}}

==Service use==
[[File:Canon DEFA MG 1462.JPG|thumb|right|DEFA cannon of a [[Mirage III]] in twin mount]]
The DEFA 550 series was the standard cannon armament of all gun-armed French fighters from 1954 until the advent of the [[Dassault Rafale]] in the 1980s. A pair of these weapons, with 125–135 rounds per gun, is standard fit on the Brazilian [[Attack aircraft|ground-attack aircraft]] [[AMX International AMX]], the French [[Dassault MD 450 Ouragan]], [[Dassault Mystere]], [[Dassault Mirage III|Mirage III/V]], [[Dassault Étendard IV]] and [[Dassault Super Étendard]], [[Sud Aviation Vautour]], [[Mirage F1]], [[SEPECAT Jaguar]], and the [[Mirage 2000]] series. It was also used on Israeli [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|Douglas A-4E/F/H/N Skyhawk]]s, [[IAI Nesher]], [[IAI Kfir]], and [[IAI Lavi]], the Italian [[Fiat G.91Y]] and [[Aermacchi MB-326]]K, the Indonesian A-4, and the South African [[Atlas Cheetah]] and [[Aermacchi MB-326#South Africa|Impala Mk.II]]. Various [[gun pod]] installations are available from [[Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA|CASA]], [[Dassault Aviation]], and [[Matra]].

The DEFA 550 is very similar to the British ADEN cannon, and can use the same ammunition.

The DEFA 550 series has given way to the [[GIAT 30]] series used on the [[Dassault Rafale]], although it is likely to remain in widespread use for many years.

==Variants==
* DEFA 551 for the [[Dassault Mystère IV]], the [[Dassault Mystère|Dassault Mystère IIC]], and the [[Sud Aviation Vautour]]
* DEFA 552 for the [[Dassault Super Mystère B2]], the [[Dassault Étendard IV]], and the [[Aeritalia G.91Y]]
* DEFA 552A for the Mirage III/[[Dassault Mirage 5|5/50]], the [[IAI Nesher|Nesher/Dagger/Finger]], the [[IAI Kfir]], and the [[IAI Lavi]]
* DEFA 553 for the [[Dassault Mirage F1]], the [[Alpha Jet]], the [[SEPECAT Jaguar]], the [[Dassault Super Etendard|Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard]], the [[Mirage 2000D|Mirage 2000D RMV]], the [[Aermacchi MB-326|Aermacchi MB-326K]], the [[CASA C-101]], the [[Atlas Cheetah]], the Impala Mk II, the [[FMA IA 58 Pucará|IA-58B/C]], and the [[FMA IA-63 Pampa|IA-63]]
* DEFA 554 for the single-seat [[Mirage 2000]], the AMX A-1, the [[FMA IA 58 Pucará|IA-58D]], and the IA-63

== Operators ==
[[File:DEFA cannon Users.png|thumb|Map with operators of the DEFA cannon in blue and former operators and red]]

=== Current operators ===
* {{flag|Argentina}}: A-4 and IA-63, previously IA-58, Finger, Dagger, Mirage 5P, Super Étendard Modernisé, and Mirage III
* {{flag|Brazil}}: AMX, previously Mirage 2000C/B and Mirage III
* {{flag|Chile}}: A-36 Toqui/C-101CC, previously Mirage 50, Mirage 5 and Mirage III
* {{flag|Colombia}}: Kfir Block 60, previously Mirage 5
* {{flag|Ecuador}}: Cheetah, previously Mirage F1, Kfir, Mirage 50 and Impala Mk II
* {{flag|Egypt}}: Mirage 2000EM/BM and Mirage 5
* {{flag|France}}: Mirage 2000, previously Super Étendard, Mirage F1, Jaguar, Mirage 5, Étendard IVM, Mirage III, Super Mystère B2, Mystère IV, Mystère IIC, and Vautour II
* {{flag|Gabon}}: Mirage F1, previously Mirage 5
* {{flag|Greece}}: Mirage 2000-5 Mk2, previously Mirage F1
* {{flag|India}}: Mirage 2000I/TI, previously Mystère IV
* {{flag|Iran}}: Mirage F1
* {{flag|Italy}}: MB-339A & CD
* {{flag|Libya}}: Mirage F1, previously Mirage 5
* {{flag|Morocco}}: Mirage F1 ASTRAC
* {{flag|Pakistan}}: Mirage 5 ROSE and Mirage III
* {{flag|Peru}}: Mirage 2000P/DP, previously Mirage 5P
* {{flag|Qatar}}: Mirage 2000-5, previously Mirage F1
* {{flag|Sri Lanka}}: Kfir<ref>{{Cite web |title=Israel Aerospace to Upgrade Sri Lankan Air Force's Kfir Aircraft |url=https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29923/Israel_Aerospace_to_Upgrade_Sri_Lankan_Air_Force_s_Kfir_Aircraft |access-date=2021-08-08 |archive-date=2021-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808223526/https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29923/Israel_Aerospace_to_Upgrade_Sri_Lankan_Air_Force_s_Kfir_Aircraft |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* {{flag|Taiwan}}: Mirage 2000-5
* {{flag|UAE}}: Mirage 2000-9,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2019-11-18/uae-signs-mirage-upgrade|title = UAE Signs up for Mirage Upgrade}}</ref> previously Mirage 5, Mirage III, and MB-326K

=== Former operators ===
* {{flag|Australia}}: Mirage III
* {{flag|Belgium}}: Mirage 5
* {{flag|Ghana}}: MB-326K
* {{flag|Honduras}}: Super Mystère B2
* {{flag|Indonesia}}: A-4
* {{flag|Iraq}}: Super Étendard and Mirage F1
* {{flag|Israel}}: A-4, Lavi, Kfir, Nesher, Mirage 5, Mirage IIIC, Super Mystère B2, Mystère IV, and Vautour II
* {{flag|Italy}}: G.91Y
* {{flag|Jordan}}: C-101CC and Mirage F1
* {{flag|Kuwait}}: Mirage F1
* {{flag|Lebanon}}: Mirage III
* {{flag|Portugal}}: G.91 R/3
* {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}: Mirage 5
* {{flag|South Africa}}: Cheetah, Mirage F1, Nesher, Mirage III and Impala Mk II
* {{flag|Spain}}: Mirage F1 and Mirage III
* {{flag|Tunisia}}: MB-326K
* {{flag|Venezuela}}: Mirage 50, Mirage 5 and Mirage III
* {{flag|Zaire}}: Mirage 5 and MB-326K

==See also==
* [[ADEN cannon]] – comparable British design, shorter 111mm long variant
* [[VENOM LR 30 mm gun|VENOM LR 30 mm]] – British 21st century derivative of ADEN, 113mm long variant
* [[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==
{{Commons category|DEFA cannon}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110721015022/http://www.nexter-group.fr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85:canon-30m-550-&catid=44:secteur-aeronautique&Itemid=90&lang=en Nexter website: DEFA 30M factsheet]
* [http://www.saairforce.co.za/the-airforce/weapons/39/defa-553-30mm-cannon South Africa Air Force: DEFA cannon factsheet]
* [http://www.canit.se/~griffon/aviation/text/akandata.htm List of Military Gatling & Revolver cannons]

===Video links===
* {{youTube|knVGQ3zl7lI|DEFA gun camera video}} of an Argentinian [[IAI Nesher|IAI Dagger]] during the [[Battle of San Carlos (1982)|Battle of San Carlos]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Defa Cannon}}
[[Category:30 mm artillery]]
[[Category:Aircraft guns]]
[[Category:Autocannon]]
[[Category:KNDS France]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1950s]]