120mm Royal Ordnance L30
Overview
Challenger 2
Challenger 2 main battle tank training in Germany in 2012.
Source: US Army (SSgt Brooks Fletcher) -
© Public domain
Origin
United Kingdom
Type
Cannon
Entered service
1998
Status
In service
Development
Early 1980's - 1985 (design project)
1989 (formal acceptance)
1989 (formal acceptance)
Developer
United Kingdom
-
Royal Ordnance Factories
Production
1990's - ?
Producer
United Kingdom
-
Royal Ordnance Factories
Number produced
Several hundred
Designations
Gun 120 mm Tk L30 (official UK designation)
XL30E3 (prototype)
XL30E3 (prototype)
Details
Facts
L30
General
Origin
United kingdom
Type
Rifled cannon
Barrel
Caliber
120mm L/55
Ammunition
120mm two piece ammunition
Barrel length
6.6 m
Barrel type
Rifled
Fume extractor
Yes
Barrel life
400 full charges
Dimensions
Weight
1.805 kg gun only
Length
6.9 m overall
Loading
Breechblock
Downward sliding semi-automatic breechblock
Loading mechanism
Manual loading
Recoil travel
0.37 m
Performance
Rate of fire
6 to 10 rpm
Range
Over 3 km with APFSDS
8 km with HESH
Muzzle velocity
1.650 m/s with L27A1 CHARM 3
670 m/s with L31A7 HESH
Related articles
Challenger 2
The 120mm L30 rifled cannon is the primary armament of the Challenger 2 main battle tank.
120mm Royal Ordnance L11
The L30 is a further development of the earlier 120mm L11 rifled gun.