Dillon Aero’s new M530D should be ready next January
A benchmark in Gatling guns, Dillon Aero has been developing for some time a new weapon, known as 530D, the name meaning .50 calibre, 3 barrels, Dillon. Chambered in 12.7×99 mm it aims at becoming an alternative to existing weapons of the same type, Dillon Aero claiming that it will be lighter and less expensive. A data sheet is available, however the data might not be the final ones as the company is still working to further lowering the weight, the current gun weight being stated at 38 kg, 10 kg less than its most direct competitor. According to Dillon Aero the new weapon also features a reduced number of moving part, which means less spares and a reduced logistic burden, which added to the lower acquisition price will lead to a reduced life cycle cost. No details were provided on the interface allowing preventing failures exploiting maintenance data, the company also claiming that the weapon was designed to have integrated immunity to internal component damage from ammunition feed jams.
The firing rate is of 1,500 rounds per minute, although the company states that this can be tailored to the platform in order to optimise performances. A distinctive feature, the 503D is equipped with a flash-hider with an aerodynamical shape, a cone being installed at the front of the structure linking the three barrels in the forward part of the weapon.
Currently Dillon Aero is carrying out qualification trials with the US military, and aims at entering a programme of records.
A benchmark in Gatling guns, Dillon Aero has been developing for some time a new weapon, known as 503D, the name meaning .50 calibre, 3 barrels, Dillon. Chambered in 12.7×99 mm it aims at becoming an alternative to existing weapons of the same type, Dillon Aero claiming that it will be lighter and less expensive. A data sheet is available, however the data might not be the final ones as the company is still working to further lowering the weight, the current gun weight being stated at 38 kg, 10 kg less than its most direct competitor. According to Dillon Aero the new weapon also features a reduced number of moving part, which means less spares and a reduced logistic burden, which added to the lower acquisition price will lead to a reduced life cycle cost. No details were provided on the interface allowing preventing failures exploiting maintenance data, the company also claiming that the weapon was designed to have integrated immunity to internal component damage from ammunition feed jams.
The firing rate is of 1,500 rounds per minute, although the company states that this can be tailored to the platform in order to optimise performances. A distinctive feature, the 503D is equipped with a flash-hider with an aerodynamical shape, a cone being installed at the front of the structure linking the three barrels in the forward part of the weapon.
Currently Dillon Aero is carrying out qualification trials with the US military, and aims at entering a programme of records.
Saving weight is something that considerably helps in aviation applications, a typical use of the 503D being that on board helicopters, on door mounts such as those developed by the company for the smaller calibre M134D, the development of a gun pod being forecasted at medium term. The 503D will of course be proposed also for land applications, Dillon Aero currently working already with four companies to integrate its new weapon in existing remotely controlled weapon stations. EDR On-Line learned that the 503D is being integrated on EOS of Australia R400 mount, Escribano of Spain Guardian 2.0, and US Flex Force ASP and ASP RWS and Precision Remotes TRAP T360 M2. Other partnership will definitely follow, as well as integration on naval platforms. Dillon Aero aims at shooting the 503D at the Shot Show demonstration in late January 2020.
Saving weight is something that considerably helps in aviation applications, a typical use of the 503D being that on board helicopters, on door mounts such as those developed by the company for the smaller calibre M134D, the development of a gun pod being forecasted at medium term. The 503D will of course be proposed also for land applications, Dillon Aero currently working already with four companies to integrate its new weapon in existing remotely controlled weapon stations. EDR On-Line learned that the 503D is being integrated on EOS of Australia R400 mount, Escribano of Spain Guardian 2.0, and US Flex Force ASP and ASP RWS and Precision Remotes TRAP T360 M2. Other partnership will definitely follow, as well as integration on naval platforms. Dillon Aero aims at shooting the 503D at the Shot Show demonstration in late January 2020.
Photos by Dillon Aero and Paolo Valpolini
