[Black 6]

This is something you don't expect to happen on a military range.

Robotic anti-aircraft gun goes rogue, killing nine *

• Date: October 18th, 2007

In a horrific twist of events, a computerized anti-aircraft gun went out of control in a SANDF (South African National Defence Force) live-fire exercise. Attempts to shut it down failed as it sprayed hundreds of high-explosive 35mm cannon shells around the five gun-firing position. By the time the Swiss/German Oerlikon MK5 twin-barrelled anti-aircraft gun had emptied its twin 250-round auto-loader magazines moments later, nine solders were dead, with another 11 injured. It was believed that the gun jammed moments after the exercise began.

When the female officer went forward to help the gunner clear the blockage, another shell was accidentally fired, causing some of the unspent ammunition in nearly-full magazines to explode.

The rogue gun began firing wildly, spraying high-explosive shells at a rate of 550 a minute, swinging around through 360 degrees like a high-pressure hose.

The unknown officer tried to shut the gun down but she couldn’t because the computer gremlin had taken over. Her fate was unknown at the time of going to press.

A top-level board of inquiry involving military, police, and government will attempt to determine the cause of this tragic incident.

Other reports have suggested a computer error might have been to blame. Ex-Defence pundit Helmoed-Römer Heitman told the Weekend Argus that if “the cause lay in computer error, the reason for the tragedy might never be found.”

In normal use the gun is designed to automatically target aircraft, helicopters, and cruise missiles and fire when they come into range. The weapon is capable of operating, and even reloading, without human intervention. Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota told the National Assembly on Tuesday that all the guns were set on “manual” at the time of the exercise.

A cursory search of the gun model shows that it has a maximum hit range of 4km, coupled with automatic reloaders that “makes it possible to feed and fire all the ammunition available on the gun without manual intervention.” I leave it to you to infer the consequences had the gun been hooked-up with full ammunition reloads.

* The full article is available on the Tech Republic web site.

[ZS-VAN]

Bad news here Black 6. Thing is, if a weapon jams it will cease to function. If the jams is cleared, yes it will continue to function. But, if the ammo in the drum explodes how can the weapon continue the function and empty itself? As per the article a big enquiry is under way. Last time there was a big incident a frigate was sunk in a collision. Eleven lost their lives if I remember correctly. Many years ago that.

[Shawn 507]

Its a shame! So much for taking out the human element. Best wishes to the famillies envloved.

[Black 6]

Hiya ZS:

Admittedly that isn't a well written article I pasted in there. Since I have absolutely no knowledge of this weapon or how it works, I would think it could be possible that the weapon could continue to function depending upon how the drums function, where they are located on the weapon, and where the unspent rounds began to fire-off inside the drum. Maybe some fired-off and they hit/damaged a control device which caused the gun to fire uncontrolled while the cartridges continued to fire while still being fed from the damaged drum?

I just thought it was an interesting article to share.

Originally Posted by ZS-VAN

But, if the ammo in the drum explodes how can the weapon continue the function and empty itself? As per the article a big enquiry is under way. Last time there was a big incident a frigate was sunk in a collision. Eleven lost their lives if I remember correctly. Many years ago that.

[ZS-VAN]

I hear you Black 6. I don't know how it works either to be honest. From my experience if something blows in a mag/drum it generally stops feeding. I will look out for the outcome of the investigation and post if it is publicised. Thanks for posting.