M3 (20 mm)

2022-05-27T01:09:04Z

U117140903: Previous description of the gun does not reflect the performance in-game.

{{About
| about = aircraft cannon '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other uses
| link = M3 (Disambiguation)
}}

== Description ==


The Army-Navy Model 3, or AN/M3 for short, was a 20 mm aircraft-mounted autocannon used by both the US Army Air Forces (later the USAF) and US Navy. The cannon was based on the British [[Hispano Mk.V (20 mm)|Hispano Mk.V]], itself a modification of the Swiss Hispano-Suiza [[Hispano 404 (20 mm)|H.S.404]]. Compared to its earlier cousin, the [[AN/M2 (20 mm)|AN/M2]], the AN/M3 had a faster rate of fire and used lubricated, percussion-primed ammunition that was less prone to jamming, which was a major problem on the [[Hispano Mk.II (20 mm)|Hispano Mk.II]]. Lubrication was provided by a pump that dropped semi-fluid lubricating oil (LSA) onto the rounds before firing. The gun had a gas-assisted blowback operation, with recoil being used to load the next round.

The US Navy extensively used the AN/M3 on fighters starting in late WW2 and until the 1950s, when they were replaced by more modern cannons and air-to-air missiles. The cannon was mounted, usually 2 to a wing, on planes such as the [[F4U-4B]] and later versions of the Corsair, the Grumman [[F8F-1B]] Bearcat, and the [[F9F-5|F9F Panther]] jet fighter.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with this weapon}}

{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Fighters'''}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-4b}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-4b_vmf_214}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-7}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f8f1b}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f8f1b_france}}

{{Navigation-Line|'''Twin-engine fighters'''}}{{Specs-Link|f7f1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f7f3}}

{{Navigation-Line|'''Jet fighters'''}}{{Specs-Link|f2h-2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f9f-2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f9f-5}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f9f-8}}

{{Navigation-Line|'''Strike aircraft'''}}{{Specs-Link|douglas_ad_2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|douglas_ad_4}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|douglas_ad_4_france}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|douglas_ad_4na_france}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4u-6_au-1}}
{{Navigation-Line| }}{{Specs-Link|f3d_1}}

{{Navigation-Line|'''Attack helicopters'''}}{{Specs-Link|h_34}} (Suspended)

{{Navigation-End}}

== General info ==
''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the cannon or machine gun.''

=== Available ammunition ===


* '''Default:''' {{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}
* '''Universal:''' {{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}
* '''Ground targets:''' {{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}
* '''Air targets:''' {{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}
* '''Stealth:''' {{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="7" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Belt
! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| Default || 38 || 36 || 29 || 21 || 16 || 12
|-
| Universal || 38 || 36 || 29 || 21 || 16 || 12
|-
| Ground targets || 38 || 36 || 29 || 21 || 16 || 12
|-
| Air targets || 38 || 36 || 29 || 21 || 16 || 12
|-
| Stealth || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2
|-
|}

=== Comparison with analogues ===


* [[MG 151/20 (20 mm)|MG 151/20]] - Powerful Minengeschoss shells are superior to AN/M3 ammunition. However, the AN/M3 has a faster fire rate and shell ballistics, making ranged shots and leading easier. The AN/M3 also has more hitting power as all American aircraft utilizing the AN/M3 have them in groups of 4. It is also more consistent than its German cousin, sparks are very rare. In addition, the AN/M3 cannons are far more accurate (when spaded).
* [[Hispano Mk.V (20 mm)|Hispano Mk.V]]- As the AN/M3 is an American copy of the Hispano Mk V, these two weapons are almost completely identical. Historically, the AN/M3 was more prone to jamming than its British counterpart, though in game this is not the case and the AN/M3 does more damage, while being more consistent.
* [[AN/M2 (20 mm)|AN/M2]]- Nearly identical characteristics, the only difference being the AN/M3 fires faster at 750 rounds per minute over the AN/M2, firing at 600 rounds per minute.

== Usage in battles ==
The AN/M3 are incredible cannons and are good for engaging anything. All aircrafts mounted with these cannons come with 4, allowing for mass destruction. Powerful shells and great ballistics allow the pilot to take long range shots, dismantle bombers and disintegrate all fighters who opposes. AN/M3s also come with generous ammunition reserves, great for taking down several enemies or simply helping pilots with bad aim.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Incredible power, 1-2 shells are enough to cripple or disintegrate an enemy fighter
* Do not jam quickly, even when stock
* High rate of fire of 750 rounds per minute
* 4 cannons are present on aircraft they are mounted on, providing massive amounts of firepower
* Stealth rounds have lots of HEF-I ammo, with the lack of tracers makes it hard for enemies to evade shots
* Often very generous amount of ammunition, as common on US aircraft. Perfect for trigger happy pilots, less trigger discipline required
* Decent default belts making for a lenient stock grind

'''Cons:'''

* Incredibly inaccurate when stock, shell spread is very noticeable

== History ==
''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.''

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


* [[AN/M2 (20 mm)|AN/M2]]
* [[Hispano Mk.V (20 mm)|Hispano Mk.V]]

== External links ==


* [[wikipedia:Hispano-Suiza_HS.404|[Wikipedia] Hispano-Suiza HS.404]]
* [http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_20mm_mk16.php <nowiki>[NavWeaps]</nowiki> 20 mm Mark 16]

{{USA aircraft cannons}}
{{France aircraft cannons}}

[[Category:Aircraft cannons]]

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M3 (20 mm)