Description
U.S. 30mm WECOM Dummy Cartridge with XM23 Belt Link
Product Overview
This U.S. 30×100B WECOM mechanical dummy cartridge comes with an XM23 metallic belt link for the experimental XM140 single-barrel 30mm automatic cannon. Its design belongs to the Army's development of helicopter armament during the 1960s and 1970s. Together, the cartridge and link illustrate the ammunition and feeding equipment associated with that program.
Identification and Features
The base and link carry separate identification markings. Military specification MIL-L-45942 identifies the XM23 as the 30mm ammunition belt link for the XM140 gun.
- DUMMY CARTRIDGE 30MM: Engraved identification on the cartridge base.
- BWN–XM23: Marking on the included metallic belt link; XM23 identifies the link model.
- 30×100B: Cartridge-pattern designation, with B denoting a belted cartridge case.
Function
The mechanical dummy represents the shape of ammunition during handling and feed-system checks. The XM23 link holds the cartridge as part of a feeding belt. Together, the two components provide a representative linked round for checking movement through the ammunition path without a firing exercise.
Product History
WECOM refers to the U.S. Army Weapons Command. The cartridge belongs to the Army's experimental work on 30mm helicopter armament, with development of the XM140 cannon and associated XM552 ammunition dating to 1963. The program explored a 30mm cannon installation for Army helicopters and required ammunition, links, and feed equipment to be developed together. Mechanical dummies supported the handling and checkout side of that effort.
Documented End-Item Applications
The direct weapon application is the XM140 30mm automatic cannon. Documented experimental helicopter installations included the Lockheed AH-56A Cheyenne through the XM52 armament program. The Bell AH-1G Cobra was associated with the XM120 nose turret containing one XM140. The Bell UH-1B Iroquois, commonly called the Huey, was associated with the XM30 installation containing two XM140 cannons. These were developmental subsystem applications.
Equipment History
The Army's February 1976 Aviation Planning Manual, FM 101-20, lists a solid aluminum dummy for cycling the XM52 weapon subsystem's feed system. The same ammunition table records XM552 high-explosive dual-purpose ammunition and XM639E1 practice cartridges for the XM140. This period reference places the dummy within a documented development-ammunition family, with separate cartridge types serving different testing and training needs.
Weapon System Background
The Army considered the XM140 for the Cobra and later the Cheyenne. The cannon was judged too heavy for the Cobra installation, and the Cheyenne program was canceled. The XM140 did not enter operational service. Its history shows the importance of aircraft weight and complete subsystem integration when fitting a cannon, ammunition supply, and feed equipment to a helicopter.
History of Use
The documented role of this dummy type was mechanical handling and feed-system evaluation during development. The broader ammunition effort continued in work for other experimental helicopter cannons, including the XM188 and early XM230. This wider lineage places the WECOM design within the Army's continuing search for practical 30mm helicopter armament during the 1960s and 1970s.
Condition
All ordnance is inert. Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item.
Ideal For
This cartridge and link suit a collection focused on experimental ammunition or helicopter armament development. The engraved base and marked XM23 link provide details for comparison with period technical records. The assembly also offers an educational display piece connecting ammunition handling with the wider Huey, Cobra, and Cheyenne development programs.
- U.S. experimental ammunition collections.
- XM140 cannon and helicopter armament displays.
- Exhibits about Huey, Cobra, and Cheyenne development.
- Collections of inert mechanical dummies and ammunition links.
Approx length 7", Approx width 2", Approx height 2.5", Approx weight 1.0lbs.
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