1/28/23, 10:25 AM Japan 20 mm Machine Gun JM61-M - NavWeaps

20 mm Machine Gun JM61-M

20 mm Machine Gun JM61-RFS
20 mm Remote Control Machine Gun JM61R-
MS

Japanese 20 mm Machine Gun JM61-RFS. Note the

camera for remote targeting. Photograph courtesy
of the JMSDF.

Description
Uses the same gun-mechanism of the 20 mm Vulcan Phalanx Block 0 weapon
system but on a much simpler mounting. Used primarily on Patrol Gunboats.
Manufactured by Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Gun Characteristics
20 mm Machine Gun JM61-M
Designation 20 mm Machine Gun JM61-RFS
20 mm Remote Control Machine Gun JM61R-MS

JM61-M: MSC Hatsushima, MSC Uwajima, MSC Sugashima, MSC

Hirashima, MSC Enoshima, MSO Yaeyama and LCU No.1 classes
Ship Class Used
JM61-RFS: PG No.1
On
JM61R-MS: MSC Enoshima (MSC-606 Hatsushima), MSO Awaji
Also used on Japan Coast Guard Vessels

Date Of Design N/A

Date In Service about 1990

Gun Weight N/A

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Gun Length N/A

Bore Length about 59.8 in (1.520 m)

Rifling Length N/A

Grooves N/A

Lands N/A

Twist N/A

Chamber
N/A
Volume

Rate Of Fire 450 rounds per minute cyclic

Ammunition
Type Fixed

APDS Mark 149 - 0.22 lbs. (0.10 kg)

Projectile Types and Weights APDS Mark 149-2 - 0.22 lbs. (0.10 kg)
APDS Mark 149-4 - 0.22 lbs. (0.10 kg)

Bursting Charge N/A (Solid Shot)

Projectile Length 6.62 in (16.8 cm)

Propellant Charge N/A

Cartridge 20 x 102 mm

Muzzle Velocity 3,650 fps (1,113 mps)

Working Pressure N/A

Approximate Barrel Life N/A

Ammunition stowage per gun N/A

The sub-caliber penetrator of the Mark 149 is 0.502 inches (12.75 mm) in diameter.

The Mark 149 projectile was developed to provide a significantly increased anti-armor
capability, optimized exterior ballistic performance and short time-of-flight over the
previous Mark 50 round. The original Mark 149-2 projectile was a depleted-uranium
sub-caliber penetrator. In 1988, the US Navy switched to the Mark 149-4 which uses a
tungsten penetrator. The change over to tungsten was in order to reduce radiation
exposure to personnel and to lessen the environmental impact. Tests with the tungsten
penetrator showed acceptable results against likely missile and aircraft threats. The
Mark 149-4 round includes a red tracer.

Ammunition is supplied in 100-round belts.

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Range
Range of APDS projectiles

Elevation Range

45 degrees 4,900 yards (4,500 m)

Maximum effective range 1,625 yards (1,490 m)

Mount/Turret Data
Designation N/A

Weight N/A

Elevation -20 / +80 degrees

Rate of Elevation N/A

Train 360 degrees

Rate of Train N/A

Gun Recoil N/A

Other Resources
For photographs of the JM61R-MS version, see the Mine Sweeper Coastal MSC-
606 website.

Sources
"The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems 1991/92" by Norman Friedman
"JSDF Equipment Yearbook 2002-2003"
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US Navy Press Releases
Raytheon Systems Company Press Releases
Main Naval Armament website
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Special help from Hiramatsu Shun'ichi

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