page_title: Oerlikon KBA
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Oerlikon KBA / History
caption_attribution_description: English: KBA Parts Description
context_page_description: The Oerlikon KBA is a 25 mm autocannon, developed as a close range weapon for the mechanized battlefield originally made by Oerlikon Contraves AG.
  The Oerlikon KBA is a gas operated selective fire weapon taking a 25 mm cartridge from a dual selective belt feed and firing at a rate of 600 rounds per minute, it has been developed as a close-range multipurpose weapon for the modern battlefield.
  Due to its firepower, various types of ammunition and its "Instant Ammunition Selection Device", the KBA can engage lightly armoured vehicles, infantry and anti-tank positions, helicopters, combat aircraft and ships.
context_section_description: In 1964 the American company TRW Inc. was entrusted with the development of a 25 mm weapon while Oerlikon-Buehrle Machine Tool Works assumed responsibility for developing the ammunition and interior ballistics for it.
  The project of the new 25 mm Auto Cannon was originally named as "TRW 6425" and was originally developed by the famous American firearms designer Eugene M. Stoner. 
  The TRW requirement of the project was: the gun have to be fully automatic and actively locked, operated by pneumatic and revolving bolts and uses a bidirectional feed system, the cannon need to switch quickly and easily in different type of ammunitions. These characteristics ensure that it is highly reliable and safe even in the most extreme environmental conditions. 
  At the beginning of 1967, technical tests and firing trials were carried out with the first two American TRW-6425 prototype cannons at Oerlikon-Buehrle Machine Tool Works followed by the first demonstrations for another NATO country. 
  Both were intended to meet the requirements for the armament of infantry fighting vehicles of the 80's and 90's: 
  Ammunition performance: 25 mm armour steel, 60° (NATO) angle of impact, 1000m range, corresponding to the armour of a well-armoured infantry fighting vehicle.
  "Instant ammunition selection" for engagement of different targets
  Selectable firing mode: Accurate single shot, bursts with a rate of fire of more than 550 rds/min for engagement of aircraft
  Compact structure: with low weight for installation in gun turrets of APC's
  Simple to operate: and service in the hands of infantry
  In the trials, however, the American prototypes displayed a number of basic functional deficiencies. This persuaded Oerlikon-Buehrle Machine Tool Works to undertake their own development work to effect system modifications, which then resulted in the required functional reliability and enabled the trials to be completed successfully. (1970, 10 gas-operated cannons). When the first prototype cannons became available, suitable gun turrets had also to be provided. In 1967 an agreement was signed between Machine Tool Works Oerlikon-Buehrle and a well-known and established sub-contractor, to collaborate in the development and manufacture of 25 mm gun turrets. These gun turrets were in the first instance to be suitable for mounting on M113 armoured personnel carrier C&R of a NATO country's army. 
  The complete system, cannon, hand-driven turret and ammunition underwent detailed firing trials between 1969 and 1971. Special new development efforts were devoted to improve functional reliability, durability and firing precision, and in 1971 sufficient progress had been made for the weapon system to fulfil the strict specifications laid down, and to be delivered to the Netherlands.
  Within the framework of the product support service Oerlikon improves the product and adapts it regularly to the latest requirements. An important step forward was made in 1982/83 when the ammunition penetration performance range of the 25 mm APDS-T (sub-caliber) round was increased 150% from 1000 to 2500 m.
  The wide range of strong points of the Oerlikon KBA 25 mm cannon, such as high rate of fire, ammunition performance, good safety record, dual belt feeder with first-round response, no external power requirement and simple maintenance lead to a considerably increasing interest in the Oerlikon KBA 25 mm cannon in years.
caption: Oerlikon KBA 25mm Part Description
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