Aircraft & UAVs

30 mm ADEN cannon

Also known as

ADEN
Aden cannon
ADEN Mk 4

The 30 mm ADEN cannon is a British aircraft revolver cannon developed from the German MG 213 concept and built by Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield. RAF and IWM records tie the gun to post-war British fighters and trainer aircraft, including Lightning F6 service and later Hawk 127 gunpod use.

30 mm ADEN cannon, 30 mm aircraft cannon, Aircraft & UAVs

Image source: 30mm ADEN Mk 4 cannon-IMG 6280-white.jpg

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United Kingdom
Built by: Royal Small Arms Factory
Type: 30 mm aircraft cannon
Service note: Post-World War II / Cold War
Unit cost: US$111,420 (reported, 2015 dollars for the ADEN Mk 4)

30 mm cannon autocannon aircraft armament

Specifications

Caliber: 30 mm
Action: Gas-operated revolver cannon
Feed: Rotary feed mechanism
Firing system: Electrical firing
Rate of fire: 1,200-1,400 rounds per minute
Ammunition: 30x113mmB cartridge

Carrier Aircraft

Hawk 127 documentation lists a 30 mm Aden cannon, and ADM says the cannon can be installed in a centreline gunpod.

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

BAE Hawk, Advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft family, Aircraft & UAVs

Lead-in fighter trainer

The Hawk 127 armament table lists one 30 mm Aden cannon, and ADM says the cannon can be installed in a gunpod on the centreline station.

Sources: A27 – BAE Systems Hawk – pp518-521, Maintenance upgrade ahead for Hawk 127 Lead in Fighter - ADM September 2013

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: RAF Museum records show the cannon fitted internally to Lightning F6 aircraft from 1960 to 1990, while Hawk 127 documentation lists it in a centreline gunpod fit.

Media

30 mm ADEN cannon Images

30 mm ADEN cannon, 30 mm aircraft cannon, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1 — Source: 30mm ADEN Mk 4 cannon-IMG 6281.JPG

30 mm ADEN cannon, 30 mm aircraft cannon, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2 — Source: Aden cannon pack (41163713174).jpg

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Sources

Royal Small Arms Factory Aden 30mm Cannon - RAF MuseumPublisher: Royal Air Force Museum | Note: Supports the maker name, British origin, Lightning F6 fit, and service context for the ADEN cannon. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 THE ADEN 30MM GUN [Main Title] - Imperial War MuseumsPublisher: Imperial War Museums | Note: Supports the ADEN cannon's gas-operated action, electrical firing, and reported 1,200-1,400 rounds per minute rate of fire. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Aden Mk4 - Imperial War MuseumsPublisher: Imperial War Museums | Note: Supports the British development lineage, rotary feed mechanism, and 30 mm aircraft cannon identification for ADEN Mk4. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 ARCHIVED REPORT ADEN Aircraft Cannon - Forecast InternationalPublisher: Forecast International | Note: Supports the reported ADEN Mk 4 unit price of US$111,420 in 2015 dollars and the product's technical background. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 30mm ADEN Mk 4 cannon-IMG 6280-white.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for the primary ADEN cannon image. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 30mm ADEN Mk 4 cannon-IMG 6281.JPGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a secondary ADEN cannon image. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Aden cannon pack (41163713174).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for an ADEN cannon pack gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 A27 – BAE Systems Hawk – pp518-521Publisher: Royal Australian Air Force | Note: Supports the Hawk 127 armament table that lists a 30 mm Aden cannon. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Maintenance upgrade ahead for Hawk 127 Lead in Fighter - ADM September 2013Publisher: Australian Defence Magazine | Note: Supports the Hawk 127 centreline gunpod fit for the 30 mm Aden cannon. | Accessed: 2026-06-27