76 mm L23A1 gun

Also known as

L23A1

The 76 mm L23A1 gun is a British low-velocity rifled tank gun developed by Royal Ordnance for the FV101 Scorpion and related CVR(T) fire-support vehicles. It was designed as a lighter derivative of the L5A1 with interchangeable fixed ammunition, hydropneumatic recoil, and a practical rate of fire of six rounds per minute.

76 mm L23A1 gun, 76 mm low-velocity tank gun, Artillery

Image source: FV101 Scorpion rear-right 2017 Bovington.jpg

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United Kingdom
Built by: Royal Ordnance
Type: 76 mm low-velocity tank gun
Service note: Cold War-era CVR(T) fire-support gun
Designed: 1960s
Produced: 1970s-1990s

Specifications

Calibre: 76.2 mm
Barrel length: 2,062 mm
Overall length: 2,157 mm
Weight: 150.59 kg
Recoil system: Hydropneumatic, concentric, with external replenisher
Rate of fire: 6 rounds per minute
Maximum direct-fire range: 2,200 m

Ammunition Fired

The L23A1 was developed to stay compatible with fixed 76 mm ammunition in the Scorpion family.

Ammunition

Ammunition type

Firing evidence

76mm HEP-T M329, 76 mm high-explosive plastic projectile for the L5/L23 gun family, Munitions

76mm HEP-T M329

76 mm projectile

Chemring lists M329 for the L23/23A1 gun family, and Think Defence describes the L23A1 as a lighter derivative of the L5A1 with preserved ammunition interchangeability.

Sources: Chemring Munitions Catalog, Think Defence

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Installed in the FV101 Scorpion and related CVR(T) fire-support vehicles; withdrawn from British Army service around 1994.

Media

76 mm L23A1 gun Images

76 mm L23A1 gun, 76 mm low-velocity tank gun, Artillery - view 1 — Source: FV101 Scorpion Light Tank.jpg

76 mm L23A1 gun, 76 mm low-velocity tank gun, Artillery - view 2 — Source: FV101 Scorpion tank - Abingdon Air & Country Show 2016.jpg

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Sources

Think DefencePublisher: Think Defence | Note: Supports the L23A1 designation, Royal Ordnance development, Scorpion and CVR(T) association, ammunition interchangeability with the L5A1, service context, and technical specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Army GuidePublisher: Army Guide | Note: Supports the designation, manufacturer, installed-in context, and published technical data for the L23A1 gun. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Chemring Munitions CatalogPublisher: Yumpu / Chemring Group PLC | Note: Supports the L23/23A1 ammunition-family compatibility context used by the paired 76 mm M329 projectile. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 FV101 Scorpion rear-right 2017 Bovington.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a FV101 Scorpion photograph showing the L23A1 gun installation. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 FV101 Scorpion Light Tank.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a FV101 Scorpion photograph showing the L23A1 gun installation. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 FV101 Scorpion tank - Abingdon Air & Country Show 2016.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a FV101 Scorpion photograph showing the L23A1 gun installation. | Accessed: 2026-06-27