Type 2 20 mm AA machine cannon

The Type 2 20 mm AA machine cannon was a Japanese-designed anti-aircraft gun, based on the German Flak 38. It entered service in 1942.

Type 2 20 mm AA machine cannon
TypeAutocannon
Place of origin Empire of Japan
Service history
In service1942–1945[1]
Used byImperial Japanese Army
WarsWorld War II
Production history
Produced1942–1945[1]
Variants20 mm Twin AA machine cannon[1]
Specifications
Mass550 kg (1,210 lb)[1]
Barrel length1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) L/70[1]
Shell20 x 142 mm
Caliber20 mm (0.79 in)[1]
Barrels1[1]
ActionGas operated
Elevation-15° to +95°[1]
Traverse360°[1]
Rate of fire480 rounds/min (maximum)[2]
Muzzle velocity950 m/s (3,100 ft/s)[1]
Maximum firing range5,500 m (18,000 ft) (horizontal)
3,500 m (11,500 ft) (altitude)[1]
Feed system20 round box

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.[2] 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] 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
Type 2 20 mm Twin AA machine cannon

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 did not enter production.[4]

References

Notes
  1. Taki’s Imperial Japanese Army Page: "AA Weapons"
  2. Global Security: "Type-2 20mm light automatic anti-aircraft gun"
  3. War Department TM-E-30-480 Handbook on Japanese Military Forces, September 1944, p. 400.
  4. Tomczyk 2007, p. 14.

Bibliography
  • 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
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