Description
30mm XM193B1E1 Aluminum Cartridge Case for the XM140 WECOM Cannon
Item Overview
Manufactured in Canada in July 1970, this XM193B1E1 aluminum cartridge case belongs to the experimental U.S. 30×100B WECOM ammunition family. That program supplied ammunition for the XM140 helicopter cannon associated with the AH-56 Cheyenne. Offered as an inert case, it preserves a Canadian manufacturing link to a major Cold War aircraft-development project. Only 1 available, so you will receive the one in the photos.
Identification and Features
The stamped designation identifies the experimental case variant. Its GIE manufacturer code agrees with the company’s foil label and the maker listing in MIL-HDBK-1461A, Ammunition Manufacturers and Their Symbols.
- Case marking: “30MM–XM193B1E1”
- Cartridge family: Experimental 30×100B WECOM
- Case length: 100mm
- Material: Aluminum
- Manufacturer: General Impact Extrusions (Manufacturing) Ltd., Toronto, Canada
- Maker code: “GIE”
- Date marking: “7–70,” identifying July 1970 manufacture
- Additional marking: “3–2”
- Identification label: Company foil label retained
Function
The cartridge case originally held the propellant and supported the projectile and primer as parts of a complete round. Its belted profile helped position the cartridge in the gun’s chamber. In the designation 30×100B, the figures identify the caliber and nominal case length, while B identifies a belted case. The 100mm XM193 family used percussion priming.
Documented End-Item Application
The principal documented application is the XM140 30mm automatic cannon, planned for the AH-56 Cheyenne’s XM52 belly turret. The Defense Intelligence Agency guide places XM193 in the 100mm experimental case group and lists WECOM 30, XM140, XM188, and XM230 gun projects alongside it. These records connect the case family to the Army’s broader helicopter-cannon development work.
Product History
The DIA guide records U.S. experimental 30mm ammunition with brass or aluminum cases during the late 1960s and early 1970s. This dated Canadian example falls within that development period. A documented Frankford Arsenal “Development Cartridge” display from the Woodin Laboratory collection includes another aluminum case marked XM193B1E1 and GIE. The matching reference supports the identification of this case variant and its XM140/Cheyenne association.
Parent-Equipment History
WECOM refers to the U.S. Army Weapons Command. Army records date development of the XM140 cannon and its XM552 ammunition to 1963. The weapon was first proposed for the Cobra helicopter and later for the Cheyenne. Philco-Ford’s XM140 formed part of the Army’s effort to equip a dedicated attack helicopter with a 30mm cannon linked to an advanced fire-control system.
Weapon-System Background
Lockheed developed the AH-56A Cheyenne for the Army’s Advanced Aerial Fire Support System program. Its compound-helicopter design combined a rigid main rotor, wings, and a rear pusher propeller to support hovering and fast forward flight. The Cheyenne first flew on September 21, 1967. Its planned weapons included a 30mm cannon, a 40mm grenade launcher, and guided missiles.
History of Use
The XM140 program centered on development and testing. The cannon was never fielded, and the Cheyenne program ended on August 9, 1972. Army records show that work to improve XM552 ammunition continued for other 30mm cannon candidates after the Cheyenne’s cancellation. This case belongs to that history of experimental ammunition and aircraft-armament trials.
Condition
Offered as an inert aluminum cartridge case with the stamped identification and company foil label described above. Please check the pictures for the general condition of the item.
Ideal For
A focused addition to collections covering helicopter cannon trials, Canadian ammunition makers, and canceled U.S. aircraft programs. The marked case can accompany XM140 reference material or an AH-56 Cheyenne display.
- Experimental U.S. 30mm ammunition collections
- XM140 and WECOM cannon displays
- AH-56 Cheyenne aviation-history exhibits
- Canadian ammunition-manufacturer collections
Approx length 4", Approx width 1.5", Approx height 1.5", Approx weight 0.5lbs.
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