Italy
30 mm/82 (1.2") Compact and Sea Cobra
Updated 21 May 2006
This weapon is based upon the German Mauser MK 30 mm Model F gun and uses standard NATO ammunition.  Effectively, this weapon is a scaled-down version of OTO-Breda's 40 mm/70 mounting.  These mountings for these weapons are unmanned, gyro-stabilized and joystick controlled.  The optical sighting system is line-of-sight stabilized with the aim-off automatically calculated while the target is kept in sight.  OTO-Breda (now OTO-Melara) claimed that this system is effective against surface targets at ranges up to 3,000 meters (3,300 yards).

OTO-Melara currently offers these weapons in either single or twin above deck mountings with local or remote control or in Compact-style mountings with below-deck magazine.  These mountings are also shared with the 25 mm Compact.

Sea Cobra was a joint design between Marconi and OTO-Breda.  This weapon was first tested in Britain at the Fraser Gunnery Range in the summer of 1988.  The first operational installations were for the Italian Customs Service.
WNIT_30mm-82_Compact_Saettias_pic.jpg

Twin 30 mm/82 Compact
Experimental Corvette Saettia built by Fincatieri
Photograph copyrighted by OTO-Melara
WNIT_30mm-82_Compact_Twin_sketch.jpg

Sketch of Twin 30 mm/82 Compact
Photograph copyrighted by OTO-Melara
WNIT_30mm-82_Compact_pic.jpg

Single 30 mm/82 Compact
Photograph copyrighted by OTO-Melara
WNIT_30mm-82_Compact_Sea_Cobra_pic.jpg

30 mm/82 Sea Cobra Twin Mount
Photograph copyrighted by OTO-Melara
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Gun Characteristics
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Designation Gun:  30 mm/82 (1.2") Mauser MK 30-1 Model F
Ship Class Used On Coastal Patrol Boats
Date Of Design 1984
Date In Service 1988
Gun Weight 340 lbs. (154 kg)
barrel only:  132 lbs. (60 kg)
Gun Length oa 131.9 in (335 cm)
Bore Length about 97 in (246 cm)
Rifling Length N/A
Grooves N/A
Lands N/A
Twist N/A
Chamber Volume N/A
Rate Of Fire up to 800 rounds per minute per gun
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Ammunition
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Type Fixed
Weight of Complete Round HEI PGU-13:  1.50 lbs. (0.681 kg)
API PGU-14:  1.53 lbs. (0.694 kg)
Projectile Types and Weights HEI PGU-13:  0.83 lbs. (0.378 kg)
API PGU-14:  0.60 lbs. (0.272 kg)
Bursting Charge N/A
Projectile Length N/A
Propellant Charge 0.33 lbs. (0.150 kg)
Cartridge 30 x 173 mm
Muzzle Velocity HE:  3,410 fps (1,040 mps)
APDS:  4,000 fps (1,220 mps)
Working Pressure 324.2 tons/in2 (3,800 kg/cm2)
Approximate Barrel Life 5,000 rounds
Ammunition stowage per gun Single Mountings:  160 ready rounds
Twin Mounting Type A:  2,000 ready rounds
Twin Mounting Type B:  1,000 ready rounds
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Range
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Elevation With 0.7 lbs. (0.32 kg) HE Shell
Effective Range 3,300 yards (3,000 m)
Note:  Time of flight to 3,300 yards (3,000 m) is 5.36 seconds.
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Mount / Turret Data
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Designation
(see Notes 1 and 2)		 Single 30 mm Compact Naval Mount
   Mod 559
   Mod 564
   Mod 563

Twin 30 mm Compact Naval Mount
   Type A
   Type B

Twin Sea Cobra
Weight  Without Ammunition
   559:  3,307 lbs. (1,500 kg)
   564:  4,034 lbs. (1,830 kg)
   563:  4,167 to 4,365 lbs. (1,890 to 1,980 kg)

   Type A:  7,275 lbs. (3,300 kg)
   Type B:  7,055 lbs. (3,200 kg)

   Sea Cobra:  N/A

With Ammunition
   559:  3,594 lbs. (1,630 kg)
   564:  4,321 lbs. (1,960 kg)
   563:  4,453 to 4,652 lbs. (2,020 to 2,110 kg)

   Type A:  10,803 lbs. (4,900 kg)
   Type B:  8,818 lbs. (4,000 kg)

   Sea Cobra:  N/A
Elevation Single Mountings:  -15 / +75 degrees
Types A and B:  -13 / +85 degrees
Sea Cobra:  -15 / +85 degrees
Elevation Rate Single Mountings:  80 degrees per second
Type A and B:  75 degrees per second
Sea Cobra:  N/A
Train 360 degrees
Train Rate Single:  140 degrees per second
Types A and B:  130 degrees per second
Sea Cobra:  N/A
Gun recoil N/A
Notes:

1) Mod 559 is intended to be controlled only by an external FCS and/or by an emergency external aiming device (such as an Optical Director).  Mod 564 has the external FCS supplemented by an electro-optic TV Micro Fire Control System (MFCS) which acts as a redundant system if the main FCS fails.  The MFCS has an off-mount console equipped with a TV monitor and target indicators which can be remotely controlled from the ship's bridge.  Mod 563 adds a manned on-mount control position with the operator utilizing the MFCS.   This model is also available with a two axis stabilization of the line of fire.

2) The difference between the Type A and Type B is simply in the number of ready-rounds on-mount.  The Type A carries 2,000 rounds while the Type B carries 1,000 rounds.
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Data from
"The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems 1991/92" by Norman Friedman
"Defense & Armament Heracles International" Issue #69, January 1988
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Special help by Matthew Rodchenko