GIAT M811
| Industry | Defense |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | GIAT Industries |
| Headquarters | France |
| Products | Autocannons, military equipment |
The M811 is an automatic autocannon powered externally, designed to fire NATO-standard 25mm rounds. This weapon system was developed by Nexter Systems, previously known as GIAT Industries.
History
Unveiled in June 1983, the M811 was created to fulfill air defense and direct-fire functions on both naval and terrestrial platforms, aiming to succeed the 20 mm cannon models. It underwent testing on the Nexter Vextra 8×8 prototype and was tentatively chosen for integration into the French Army's Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie (VBCI) 8×8 Infantry Fighting Vehicle.
Description
The operation of the M811 relies on an external electric motor that drives a camshaft, coordinating the bolt’s movement with the ammunition feed system. It supports firing modes including single shots, short bursts, or sustained fire, with selectable rates of either 125 or 400 rounds per minute. Its dual-feed mechanism enables switching between ammunition belts manually or remotely, allowing immediate firing from the selected feed line. The external power source also facilitates maintenance and training exercises using inert rounds.
This autocannon is compatible with all NATO 25×137 mm ammunition types. Nexter Munitions produces several variants such as High Explosive Incendiary Tracer (HEI-T), Target Practice (TP/TP-T), Armour-Piercing Discarding-Sabot Tracer (APDS-T), and Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilised Discarding-Sabot Tracer (APFSDS-T). According to Nexter, the system achieves accuracy capable of engaging a target measuring 1.5 meters in diameter at a distance of 1,500 meters.