Type 2 20 mm AA machine cannon explained

Type 2 20 mm AA machine cannon
Type:Autocannon
Is Ranged:yes
Is Artillery:yes
Service:1942–1945
Used By:Imperial Japanese Army
Wars:World War II
Production Date:1942–1945
Number:16
Variants:20 mm Twin AA machine cannon
Weight:550kg (1,210lb)
Part Length:1.4m (04.6feet) L/70
Cartridge:20 x 142 mm
Caliber:20mm
Barrels:1
Action:Gas operated
Rate:420 to 480 rounds/min (maximum)
Velocity:950m/s
Max Range:5500m (18,000feet) (horizontal)
3500m (11,500feet) (altitude)
Feed:20 round box
Elevation:-15° to +95°
Traverse:360°

The Type 2 20 mm AA machine cannon was a Japanese-designed anti-aircraft gun. It entered service in 1942.

Design

Introduced 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.[1] 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.[2] It was driven by electric motors, obtaining its power from a generator trailer. 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.[3]

Variant

Two 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.

References

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/japan/type-2-20mm.htm Global Security: "Type-2 20mm light automatic anti-aircraft gun"
  2. http://www3.plala.or.jp/takihome/aa.htm Taki’s Imperial Japanese Army Page: "AA Weapons"
  3. War Department TM-E-30-480 Handbook on Japanese Military Forces, September 1944, p. 400.