Joint Strike Fighter rivals Lockheed Martin and Boeing have picked Germany's Mauser 27mm cannon to arm the next-generation tactical aircraft. Boeing's ordnance division will build the gun under licence at Mesa, Arizona. The same business unit has won a 2.5-year, $5 million contract from the US Army to develop an electric- powered gun turret for the AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopter, which is expected to become standard by 2003. Changing from hydraulic to electric operation will create a more accurate, compact and lighter turret for the helicopter's 30mm M230 cannon.
Source: Flight International
