TADEN gun facts for kids
Quick facts for kids TADEN machine gun |
|
|---|---|
| Type | Light machine gun |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1951 |
| Used by | United Kingdom |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Enfield RSAF |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 11.03 kg |
| Length | 889 mm |
| Barrel length | 623 mm |
|
|
|
| Cartridge | .280 British |
| Caliber | .276 (7 mm) |
| Action | gas operation |
| Rate of fire | 450 to 600 round/min |
| Feed system | Non-Disintegrating Metal-Link Belt |
| Sights | Fixed |
The TADEN was a special machine gun made in Britain. It was an experiment to create new weapons for the British Army. This gun used a new type of bullet, smaller than the ones used before.
The name TADEN comes from its creators. 'T' stands for Harold Turpin, the designer. 'AD' means the Armament Design Establishment, where it was designed. 'EN' stands for Enfield, the place where it was made.
Contents
What Was the TADEN Machine Gun?
The TADEN was designed to be a new kind of machine gun. It was meant to replace older guns like the Bren gun and the Vickers machine gun. The goal was to give soldiers lighter, more modern weapons.
How Did the TADEN Work?
The TADEN used a system similar to the well-known Bren gun. However, it fed its bullets differently. Instead of using a box magazine, it used long metal belts that held 250 bullets.
There were two main types of TADEN guns:
- A light machine gun version: This one had a regular gun stock and a trigger. It was meant to be carried by soldiers and used with a bipod (a two-legged stand).
- A heavier version: This was a medium machine gun designed to be mounted on a tripod (a three-legged stand). It had special "spade grips" and a "butterfly trigger" for steady firing.
The TADEN was part of a bigger plan. This plan also included a new rifle called the EM-2. The idea was for the EM-2 rifle to replace the old Lee–Enfield rifle and smaller submachine guns.
Why Was the TADEN Project Stopped?
The TADEN and EM-2 projects did not continue. This happened because of a disagreement with the United States Army.
The British wanted to use their new .280 inch bullet. But the US Army felt this bullet was not powerful enough. They preferred their own .30-06 Springfield bullet. Because of this, the .280 cartridge was not chosen as the new standard for NATO (a group of allied countries).
What Happened Next?
Since the TADEN and EM-2 couldn't use the new NATO bullet, new plans were needed. The British Army decided to use guns made by a Belgian company instead.
They started using the FN MAG machine gun and the FN FAL rifle. These guns used the new 7.62 mm NATO bullet. Even though the TADEN project ended, the old Bren gun was updated to use the new NATO bullet and stayed in service for a while.
