Tests of the new weapons began in the United States. The 20 mm Gatling gun is designed for a helicopter that is being developed as part of the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) project. This is reported by Flight Global.
The US Army began flight tests of the new gun in October. The General Dynamics XM915 cannon was installed on a modified UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, which is used to test individual FARA units.
The XM915 received three barrels and an electric drive. The rate of fire of the gun is 1500 rounds per minute. The publication notes that single-barrel systems used on American helicopters are capable of producing 1,025 rounds per minute.
The development of a new 20-millimeter cannon became known in March. Popular Mechanics magazine noted that American helicopters will receive a gun that will allow them to hit lightly armored vehicles. Variants of the gun for the FARA were developed by General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman.
In March 2020, Bell and Sikorsky were selected in the USA to create demonstration samples of new helicopters under the FARA program. The promising development will replace the Bell OH-58D Kiowa reconnaissance helicopters and part of the McDonnell Douglas AH-64 Apache attack helicopters. New helicopters will be presented in 2023.
Daniil Irinin
