- Yes
- No
Cardoen Piraña I 6x6 - Oerlikon 20 mm KAA
History:
In 1980 Chile obtained the contract for the licensed production of the Mowag Piranha I being one of the few countries to build these vehicles, production began in 1983 by the Chilean company Industrias Cardoen which was in charge of the construction of the Piraña I in its 6x6 version building hundreds of these vehicles and equipping them with different turrets and armaments. In this suggestion we will see the version with the GAD-AOA turret armed with the 20 mm Oerlikon KAA cannon.
The Cardoen Piraña I 6x6, built in Chile, follows the original model of the Swiss Mowag, also retaining its amphibious capacity, so it keeps the propellers for the water at the rear of the vehicle. The driver is located in the front left of the vehicle right next to the engine and the crew behind the driver in the middle of the vehicle. The vehicle has 8mm armor, which protects it from 7.62mm machine gun fire and explosive shrapnel, making it vulnerable to larger-caliber fire. The biggest advantage of this vehicle is its great mobility and speed.
During the 1980s, Industrias Cardoen tested various weapons on the Piraña I 6x6, promoting different versions to potentially be sold to the Chilean army or abroad. One of these versions carried the Oerlikon GAD-AOA turret armed with the 20 mm Oerlikon KAA cannon which turned the vehicle into a self-propelled anti-aircraft.
The new turret is operated by a single person, this being the commander, it has 100 rounds ready to use and has a maximum elevation of 70° which makes it ideal for its function as anti-aircraft, the total depression of the gun is -12°. It has a scope with magnification up to 6.5x and a scope for aerial targets. Although the armor of the turret is not mentioned, it can be deduced that it would be the standard for this type of turret, being 8 mm, so it would also protect the gunner from minor weapons of up to 7.62 mm or explosive splinters.
Regarding armament, the turret uses the 20 mm Oerlikon KAA cannon that was formerly known as Oerlikon 204 GK. The cannon was used more than anything as anti-aircraft as it has a high rate of fire, being 1000 rounds per minute and has various types of ammunition, highlighting the armor-piercing one capable of penetrating up to 57 mm of armor at short distances, so under certain circumstances the vehicle can be used to confront other vehicles as little armor, although this is not recommended.
The total weight of the cannon with ammunition and the turret is only 1,055 kg, so the vehicle still retains its amphibious capabilities, reaching a maximum speed in water of 10.5 km/h as shown in the following images.
Promotional video Cardoen Piranha I 6x6 - Oerlikon 20 mm KAA sailing the Pacific
Specifications:
- Crew:
- 2 (Commander, Driver)
- Armament:
- Primary: GAD-AOA turret with 20 mm Oerlikon KAA cannon
- Dimensions:
- Length: 5.97 m
- Width: 2.5 m
- Height: 1.85 m (without turret)
- Weight: 10.5 t (vehicle) + 1055 kg (turret and gun)
- Maneuverability :
- Engine: Detroit diesel 6V-53T, 300 hp at 2800 rpm
- Max. speed on roads: 100 km/h
- Speed in water: 10.5 km/h
- Transmission: Allison MT-653 automatic with 5 forward and 1 reverse gears
- Turning circle: 11.3 m
- Gradient: 70%
- Side slope: 30%
- Vertical obstacle: 0.5 m
Sources:
- Piraña 6x6, la navaja suiza de Chile
- Chile, Industrias Cardoen, Uso Militar y Civil | PDF
- Jane’s A&A 1987-88 (page 892 and 956)
- Jane-s-Armour-and-Artillery-1985-86 (page 257)
- International Defense Review 7/1983