Weapon Name- 57mm Autocannon - Ho-401A2 cannon
Round Type- 57mm x 121R Autocannon
Over-all length- 4 meters
Barrel length- 2 meters
Weight- 150 kg (330 lb)
Rate of Fire- 80 RPM
Feed Mechanism- Belt fed, linkless belt
Round Capacity- 50+
Range- 2.5 miles (4000 meters)
Effective Range- 5 miles (8000 meters)
Accuracy- 2 MOA
Accessories- Picatinny rails
Quick switch firing mechanism- N/A
Scope/Sights- Picatinny rails
Muzzle Velocity- 495 m/s (1.5 kilograms, 180,000 joules)
Firing System- Chaingun
Miscellaneous/electronic information- The weapon is essentially a 57mm autocannon designed to replicate the power and range of the 60mm mortar. With over double the velocity, the weapon has over a 5 mile range, in comparison to the 2.5 mile range of the 60mm mortar, but approximately the same weight at 3.3 pounds. The weapon has a rate of 80 RPM, and is fed from a 50 round drum.
Basic Information
Ho-401 was a Japanese aircraft autocannon that saw limited, if any, use during World War II. It was a large-caliber version of the 37 mm Ho-203 cannon. The cannon was used on the ground attack aircraft, Kawasaki Ki-102. The 57mm autocannon A2 is a modernized variant of the weapon designed to be used as an autoloading mortar, using an automated turret graduation system to allow for a high and low angle of fire, compensating for the lack in variable propellant charges and velocities present in many mortars. The mortar is capable of direct fire, increasing it's versatility, but due to it's low velocity only has a short range in this configuration. The rounds are designed to be more aerodynamic than original 57mm autocannon rounds, shaped more like mortar rounds, however they still retain their overall configurations. Basic modernization efforts include a smoother action, higher strength parts (particularly the barrel), better quality control, modernized cleaner gunpowder and primers, stronger aluminum cases, accurized tighter fit pieces, and general improvements to reliability and accuracy. While not an inaccurate or unreliable gun before, the modernized 57mm autocannon, while based on the same fundamental design, is more powerful.
Specifications
Caliber: 57 mm (2.25 in)
Ammunition: 57 x 121R (1,500 g)
Weight: 150 kg (330 lb)
Rate of fire: 80 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity: 495 m/s (1,625 ft/s)
