The Type 2 20 mm AA machine cannon was a Japanese-designed anti-aircraft gun. It entered service in 1942.
Type 2 20 mm AA machine cannon | |
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Type | Autocannon |
Place of origin | ![]() |
Service history | |
In service | 1942–1945[1] |
Used by | Imperial Japanese Army |
Wars | World War II |
Production history | |
Produced | 1942–1945[1] |
No. built | 16[2] |
Variants | 20 mm Twin AA machine cannon[1] |
Specifications | |
Mass | 550 kg (1,210 lb)[1] |
Barrel length | 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) L/70[1] |
Shell | 20 x 142 mm |
Caliber | 20 mm (0.79 in)[1] |
Barrels | 1[1] |
Action | Gas operated |
Elevation | -15° to +95°[1] |
Traverse | 360°[1] |
Rate of fire | 420 to 480 rounds/min (maximum)[3] |
Muzzle velocity | 950 m/s (3,100 ft/s)[1] |
Maximum firing range | 5,500 m (18,000 ft) (horizontal) 3,500 m (11,500 ft) (altitude)[1] |
Feed system | 20 round box |
Design
editIntroduced in 1942, compared to the earlier Type 98 20 mm AA machine cannon, Type 2 20 mm had higher maximum rate of fire, could be elevated to 95 degrees and had a central fire-control system.[3] The central fire-control system developed for the Type 2 could control and direct six of the guns at once. The gun was based on the German 2 cm Flak 30/38/Flakvierling.[1] It was driven by electric motors, obtaining its power from a generator trailer.[4] The Type 2 number was designated for the year the gun was accepted, 2602 in the Japanese imperial year calendar, or 1942 in the Gregorian calendar.[5]
Variant
editTwo of the guns mounted together formed a variant known as the Type 2 20 mm twin AA machine cannon. The prototype Type 98 20 mm AAG tank was equipped with this twin Type 2 variant as its main armament. The Type 98 20 mm AAG tank did not enter production.[6]
References
editNotes
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Taki’s Imperial Japanese Army Page: "AA Weapons"
- ^ Ness 2014, p. 170.
- ^ a b Global Security: "Type-2 20mm light automatic anti-aircraft gun"
- ^ Ness 2014, p. 179.
- ^ War Department TM-E-30-480 Handbook on Japanese Military Forces, September 1944, p. 400.
- ^ Tomczyk 2007, p. 14.
Bibliography
edit- Ness, Leland (2014). Guide to Japanese Ground Forces 1937–1945: Volume 2: Weapons of the Imperial Japanese Army & Navy Ground Forces. Helion & Company. ISBN 978-19099-8275-8.
- Tomczyk, Andrzej (2007). Japanese Armor Vol. 5. AJ Press. ISBN 978-8372371799.
- War Department TM-E-30-480 Handbook on Japanese Military Forces September 1944