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{{Short description|Series of autocannons}}
{{nofootnotes|date=May 2008}}
{{Infobox Weapon
{{Infobox weapon
|name=Oerlikon 20 mm cannon
|name=Oerlikon 20 mm cannon
|image=[[Image:HMAS-Castlemaine-gun-2-1.jpg|300px]]
| image= File:Oerlikon 20mm 2.jpg
| image_size = 300px
|caption=An Oerlikon cannon on {{HMAS|Castlemaine}}
|caption= Oerlikon 20 mm cannon in [[French Navy|French]] service
|origin= {{SUI}}
|origin= Switzerland
|type=[[Autocannon]]
|type=[[Autocannon]]
<!-- Type selection -->
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=yes
|is_ranged=yes
|is_artillery=yes
|is_artillery=yes
<!-- Service history -->
<!-- Service history -->
|service=
|service= 1937–present
|used_by=
|used_by=Various
|wars=[[World War II]]
|wars=[[World War II]], various
<!-- Production history -->
<!-- Production history -->
|designer=[[Reinhold Becker]]
|designer=Reinhold Becker
|design_date=[[World War I]]
|design_date=1935
|manufacturer=[[Oerlikon]]
|manufacturer=[[Oerlikon Contraves|Oerlikon]]
|production_date=1937–
|unit_cost=
|number=124,734<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwencycl.kgbudge.com/2/0/20mm_Oerlikon_AA_gun.htm |title=20mm Oerlikon Light Antiaircraft Gun |last=Budge |first=Kent G. |date=2014 |website=The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia |access-date=30 May 2019}}</ref>
|production_date=
|variants=[[Oerlikon FF]]<br/>[[MG FF cannon]]
|number=
<!-- General specifications -->
|variants=[[MG FF cannon|MG FF]]
|weight='''L70'''<br/>Total gun barrel weight: {{convert|68.04|kg|lk=on}}<br/>Minus breech mechanism: {{convert|20.865|kg|abbr=on}}<br/>'''L85'''<br/>Empty: {{convert|92.0|kg|lk=on}}<br/>Loaded with 200 rounds: {{convert|182.0|kg|abbr=on}}
<!-- General specifications -->
|length='''L70'''<br/>Overall: {{convert|2210|mm|abbr=on}}<br/>Barrel length: {{convert|1400|mm|abbr=on}}<br/>'''L85'''<br/>Overall: n/a<br/>Barrel length: {{convert|1700|mm|abbr=on}}
|spec_label=
|weight=480 kg (without ammunition, including 387 kg of ballast)
|length=
|part_length=
|width=
|height=
|diameter=
|crew=
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
|cartridge=
|cartridge='''L70:''' 20×110mmRB<br/>'''L85:''' 20×128mm
|cartridge_weight='''HE:''' {{convert|123|g|oz|abbr=on}}<br/>'''HE/T:''' {{convert|116|g|oz|abbr=on}}
|caliber=20 mm
|caliber=20 mm (0.787inch)
|action=[[Blowback (arms)#.23API blowback|API blowback]]
|barrels=Single barrel (progressive RH parabolic twist, 9 grooves)
|rate=450 rounds per minute
|action=[[Advanced Primer Ignition|API blowback]]
|velocity=820 m/s
|rate='''L70:'''<br/>Cyclic: 450 rounds per minute<br/>Practical: 250-320 rounds per minute<br/>'''L85:'''<br/>Cyclic: 900 to 1,000 rounds per minute
|range=
|velocity='''L70:''' {{convert|820|m/s|abbr=on}}<br/>'''L85:''' {{convert|1050|m/s|abbr=on}}
|max_range=2,000 meters against aerial targets
|range=Against low-flying aircraft (HE round)<br/>'''L70:''' {{Convert|914|m|yd|abbr=on}}<br/>'''L85:''' {{Convert|1500|m|yd|abbr=on}}
|feed=
|max_range=HE round at 45°<br/>'''L70:''' {{Convert|4389|m|yd|abbr=on}}<br/>'''L85:''' {{Convert|6800|m|yd|abbr=on}}
|sights=
|feed=Cylindrical magazine holding 60 rounds, Later adjusted to be a belt fed gun
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
|breech=
|elevation=Manual, -15°/+90°
|recoil=
|traverse=Manual, full 360°
|carriage=
<!-- Data source: <ref name="NAVWEAP1"/> and <ref name="NAVWEAP2"/> -->
|elevation=
|traverse=
}}
}}


The term "'''Oerlikon 20 mm cannon'''" refers to a series of [[autocannon]]s, based on [[20 mm Becker|an original]] designed by [[Reinhold Becker]] of Germany, very early in [[World War I]], and widely produced by [[Oerlikon Contraves]] and others. Various models of Oerlikon cannon were used during [[World War II]], and they are still in use today.
The '''Oerlikon 20&nbsp;mm cannon''' is a series of [[autocannon]]s based on an original German [[Becker Type M2 20 mm cannon]] design that appeared very early in [[World War I]]. It was widely produced by [[Oerlikon Contraves]] and others, with various models employed by both Allied and Axis forces during [[World War II]]. Many versions of the cannon are still used.<ref name="NAVWEAP1">{{cite web |url=http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_2cm-70_mk234.htm |title=Switzerland Oerlikon 20 mm/70 (0.79") Mark 1" |website=NavWeaps.com |date=14 January 2011 |access-date=24 September 2011}}</ref><ref name="NAVWEAP2">{{cite web |url=http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNBR_2cm-85_GAM.htm |title=Britain 20 mm/85 (0.79") GAM-BO1 |website=NavWeaps.com |date=21 June 2008 |access-date=23 October 2011}}</ref>


== Blowback-operated models ==
==History==
===History===
====Origins====
During [[World War I]], the German industrialist [[:de:Reinhold Becker (Unternehmer)|Reinhold Becker]] developed a [[20 mm caliber]] cannon, known now as the [[20 mm Becker]] using the [[Blowback (firearms)#Advanced primer ignition (API) blowback|advanced primer ignition blowback]] (API blowback) method of operation. This used a 20×70mmRB cartridge and had a cyclic [[rate of fire]] of 300 rpm. It was used on a limited scale as an aircraft gun on ''[[Luftstreitkräfte]]'' warplanes, and an [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] gun towards the end of that war.


Because the [[Treaty of Versailles]] banned further production of such weapons in Germany, the patents and design works were transferred in 1919 to the Swiss firm [[SEMAG]] (''Seebach Maschinenbau Aktien Gesellschaft'') based near [[Zürich]]. SEMAG continued development of the weapon, and in 1924 had produced the ''SEMAG L'', a heavier weapon (43&nbsp;kg) that fired more powerful 20×100mmRB ammunition at a slightly higher rate of fire, 350 rpm.
===Origins===
During [[World War I]], the [[Germany|German]] [[Reinhold Becker]] developed a 20 mm cannon, known now as the [[20 mm Becker]] using the [[Blowback (arms)#API blowback|API blowback]] (Application Programming Interface) method of operation. This used a 20x70 RB cartridge and had a cyclic rate of fire of 300 rpm. It was used on a limited scale as an aircraft gun and an anti-aircraft gun towards the end of that war.


In 1924, SEMAG failed. The Oerlikon firm, named after the [[Oerlikon (Zürich)|Zürich suburb of Oerlikon]] where it was based, then acquired all rights to the weapon, plus the manufacturing equipment and the employees of SEMAG.
Because the treaty of Versailles banned further production of such weapons in Germany, the patents and design works were transferred in 1919 to the Swiss firm SEMAG (''Seebach Maschinenbau Aktien Gesellschaft'') based near Zürich. SEMAG contained development of the weapon, and in 1924 had produced the ''SEMAG L'', a heavier weapon (43 kg) that fired more powerful 20x100RB ammunition at a slightly higher rate of fire, 350 rpm.


====Oerlikon====
In 1924 SEMAG failed. The Oerlikon firm, named after the quarter of Zürich were it was based, then acquired all rights to the weapon, plus the manufacturing equipment and the employees of SEMAG.
In 1927 the ''Oerlikon S'' was added to the existing product line. This fired a still larger cartridge (20x110RB) to achieve a muzzle velocity of 830&nbsp;m/s (versus 490&nbsp;m/s for the original Becker 20x70RB gun), at the cost of increased weight and a reduced rate of fire (280 rpm). The purpose of this development was to improve the performance of the gun as an anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapon, which required a higher muzzle velocity. An improved version known as the 1S followed in 1930.


Three sizes of gun with their different ammunition and barrel length, but very similar mechanisms, continued to be developed in parallel. In 1930 Oerlikon reconsidered the application of its gun in aircraft and introduced the ''AF'' and ''AL'', designed to be used in [[flexible mount]]s, i.e. manually aimed by a gunner. The 15-round box magazine used by earlier versions of the gun was replaced by drum magazine holding 15 or 30 rounds.
===Oerlikon===
In 1927 the ''Oerlikon S'' was added to the existing product line. This fired a still larger cartridge (20x110RB) to achieve a muzzle velocity of 830 m/s (versus 490 m/s for the original Becker 20x70RB gun), at the cost of increased weight and a reduced rate of fire (280 rpm). The purpose of this development was to improve the performance of the gun as an anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapon, which required a higher muzzle velocity. An improved version known as the 1S followed in 1930.


In 1935 it made an important step by introducing a series of guns designed to be mounted in or on the wings of fighter aircraft. Designated with FF for ''Flügelfest'' meaning 'wing-mounted', these weapons were again available in the three sizes, with designations ''FF'', ''FFL'' and ''FFS''. The FF fired a slightly larger cartridge than the AF, 20x72RB, but the major improvement in these weapons was a significant increase in rate of fire. The FF weighed 24&nbsp;kg and achieved a muzzle velocity of 550 to 600&nbsp;m/s with a rate of fire of 520 rpm. The FFL of 30&nbsp;kg fired a projectile at a muzzle velocity of 675&nbsp;m/s with a rate of fire of 500 rpm. And the FFS, which weighed 39&nbsp;kg, delivered a high muzzle velocity of 830&nbsp;m/s at a rate of 470 rpm.{{sfnp|Williams|2000}}
The three size of gun with their different ammunition and barrel length, but very similar mechanisms, continued to be developed in parallel. In 1930 Oerlikon reconsidered the application of its gun in aircraft and introduced the ''AF'' and ''AL'', designed to be used in flexible mounts, i.e. manually aimed by a gunner. The 15-round box magazine used by earlier versions of the gun was replaced by drum magazine holding 15 or 30 rounds.


Apart from changes to the design of the guns for wing-mounting and remote control, larger drums were introduced as it would not be possible to exchange magazines in flight. For the FF series 45, 60, 75 and 100 (and a rarely used 150) drum magazines were available, but most users chose the 30 or 60-round drum.
In 1935 it made an important step by introducing a series of guns designed to be mounted in or on the wings of fighter aircraft. Designated with FF for ''Flügelfest'' meaning "wing-mounted", these weapons were again available in the three sizes, with designations ''FF'', ''FFL'' and ''FFS''. The FF fired a slightly larger cartridge than the AF, 20x72RB, but the major improvement in these weapons was a significant increase in rate of fire. The FF weighed 24 kg and achieved a muzzle velocity of 550 to 600 m/s with a rate of fire of 520 rpm. The FFL of 30 kg fired a projectile at a muzzle velocity of 675 m/s with a rate of fire of 500 rpm. And the FFS, which weighed 39 kg, delivered a high muzzle velocity of 830 m/s at a rate of fire of 470 rpm.<ref name="Williams">Anthony G. Williams, ''Rapid Fire'', Airlife, UK 2000.</ref>


The 1930s were a period of global re-armament, and a number of foreign firms took licenses for the Oerlikon family of aircraft cannon. In France, [[Hispano-Suiza]] manufactured development of the FFS as the Hispano-Suiza HS.7 and
Apart from changes to the design of the guns for wing-mounting and remote control, larger drums were introduced as it would not be possible to exchange magazines in flight. For the FF series drum sizes of 45, 60, 75 and 100 rounds were available, but most users chose the 60-round drum.
Hispano-Suiza HS.9, for installation between the cylinder banks of its [[V-12 engine]]s. In Germany, [[Ikaria]] further developed the FF gun as the [[MG FF]], firing 20x80RB ammunition. And the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]], after evaluating all three guns, ordered developments of the FF and FFL as the [[Type 99 cannon|Type 99-1]] and [[Type 99 cannon|Type 99-2]].


The incorporation of the improvements of the FFS in a new anti-aircraft gun produced, in 1938, the ''Oerlikon SS''. Oerlikon realized further improvements in rate of fire on the 1SS of 1942, and the 2SS of 1945 which achieved 650 rpm. However, it was the original SS gun which was widely adopted as anti-aircraft gun, being especially widely used by
The 1930s were a period of global re-armament, and a number of foreign firms took licenses for the Oerlikon family of aircraft cannon. In France, [[Hispano-Suiza]] manufactured development of the FFS as the [[Hispano-Suiza H.S.7]] and [[Hispano-Suiza H.S.9|H.S.9]], for installation between the cylinder banks of its [[V-12 engine]]s. In Germany, [[Ikaria]] further developed the FF gun as the [[MG FF]], firing 20x80RB ammunition. And the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]], after evaluating all three guns, ordered developments of the FF and FFL as the [[Type 99 cannon|Type 99-1]] and [[Type 99 cannon|Type 99-2]].
[[Allies of World War II|Allied]] navies during [[World War II]].


This gun used a 400-grain (26-gram) charge of [[Improved Military Rifle (IMR)|IMR 4831]] [[smokeless powder]] to propel a 2,000-grain (130-gram) projectile at 2,800 feet (850 meters) per second.{{sfnp|Johnson|1944|loc=Appendix}}
The incorporation of the improvements of the FFS in a new anti-aircraft gun produced, in 1938, the ''Oerlikon SS''. Oerlikon realized further improvements in rate of fire on the 1SS of 1942, and the 2SS of 1945 which achieved 650 rpm. However, it was the original SS gun which was widely adopted as anti-aircraft gun, being especially widely used by Allied navies during [[World War II]].


====World War II====
This gun used a 400-grain (26-gram) charge of IMR 4831 [[smokeless powder]] to propel a 2000-grain (130-gram) projectile at 2800 feet (850 meters) per second.<ref name="melvin">Johnson, Melvin M., Jr. ''Rifles and Machine Guns'' William Morrow & Co. 1944 appendix</ref>
[[File:HMS Dido gun.jpg|thumb|A [[Royal Navy]] Oerlikon gunner at his gun mount aboard the {{sclass|Dido|cruiser}} {{HMS|Dido|37|6}} in 1942]]
[[Image:Oerlikon-20mm-batey-haosef-2-1.jpg|thumb|Early model Oerlikon.]]


The Oerlikon FF was installed as armament on some fighters of the 1930s, such as the Polish [[PZL P.24]]G. Locally produced derivatives of the Oerlikon cannon were used much more extensively, on aircraft, on ships and on land. In the air, the Ikaria [[MG FF]] was used as armament on a number of German aircraft, of which the most famous is the [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]]. The Japanese Navy similarly used their copy of the FF, designated the [[Type 99 cannon|Type 99 Mark 1 cannon]] on a number of types including the [[Mitsubishi]] [[A6M Zero]]. Later in the war, they also equipped fighters including the Zero with the [[Type 99 cannon#Type 99 Mark 2|Type 99 Mark 2]], a version of the more powerful and faster-firing Oerlikon FFL.
===World War II===
The Oerlikon FF was installed as armament on some fighters of the 1930s, such as the Polish [[PZL P.24]]G. Locally produced derivatives of the Oerlikon cannon were used much more extensively, on aircraft, on ships and on land. In the air, the Ikaria [[MG FF]] was used as armament on a number of German aircraft, of which the most famous is the [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]]. The Japanese similarly used the [[Type 99 cannon]] on a number of types including the [[Mitsubishi]] [[A6M Zero]].


The French firm of Hispano-Suiza was a manufacturer of aircraft engines, and it marketed the ''moteur-canon'' combination of its [[Hispano-Suiza 12X|12X]] and
The French firm of Hispano-Suiza was a manufacturer of aircraft engines, and it marketed the ''moteur-canon'' combination of its [[Hispano-Suiza 12X|12X]] and [[Hispano-Suiza 12Y|12Y]] engines with a [[Hispano-Suiza H.S.7|H.S.7]] or [[Hispano-Suiza HS.9|H.S.9]] cannon installed between the cylinder banks. The gun fired through the hollow propeller hub, this being elevated above the crankcase by the design of the gearing. Such armament was installed on the [[Morane-Saulnier M.S.406]] and some other types. Similar German installations of the MG FF were not successful.
[[Hispano-Suiza 12Y|12Y]] engines with a [[Hispano-Suiza H.S.7|H.S.7]] or [[Hispano-Suiza H.S.9|H.S.9]] cannon installed between the cylinder banks. The gun fired through the hollow propeller hub, this being elevated above the crankcase by the design of the gearing. Such armament was installed on the [[Morane-Saulnier M.S.406]] and some other types. Similar German installations of the MG FF were not successful.


[[File:British 20 mm Oerlikon shell diagrams.jpg|thumb|left|Diagrams showing basic design and color-coding of British HE/incendiary, tracer and HE/incendiary/tracer shells for the 20 mm Oerlikon gun]]
The Oerlikon became best known in its naval applications. Initially the Oerlikon was not looked upon favorably by the [[Royal Navy]] as a short-range [[anti-aircraft]] gun. All through 1937-1938 Lord [[Louis Mountbatten]] waged a lone campaign within the Royal Navy to set up an unprejudiced trial for the Oerlikon 20 mm gun, but it was all in vain. It was not until the [[Commander-in-Chief]] of the [[Home Fleet]], [[Admiral]] [[Sir Roger Backhouse]], was appointed [[First Sea Lord]] that Mountbatten's efforts bore fruit. During the first half of 1939 a contract for 1,500 guns was placed in Switzerland. However, due to delays and then later the [[Fall of France]] in June 1940 only 109 guns reached the [[United Kingdom]]. All Oerlikon guns imported from Switzerland in 1940 were mounted on various gun carriages to serve as light AA-guns on land.


The Oerlikon became best known in its naval applications. Initially the Oerlikon was not looked upon favorably by the [[Royal Navy]] as a short-range [[anti-aircraft]] gun. In 1937–1938 Lord [[Louis Mountbatten]], then a [[Captain (Royal Navy)|captain]] in the Royal Navy, advocated within the Royal Navy to set up an unprejudiced trial for the Oerlikon 20&nbsp;mm gun, but was unsuccessful. It was not until the [[Commander-in-Chief]] of the [[Home Fleet]], [[Admiral]] [[Sir Roger Backhouse]], was appointed [[First Sea Lord]] that Mountbatten's efforts bore fruit. During the first half of 1939 a contract for 1,500 guns was placed in Switzerland. However, due to delays and then later the [[Battle of France|fall of France]] in June 1940, only 109 guns reached the United Kingdom. All Oerlikon guns imported from Switzerland, in 1940, were mounted on various gun carriages to serve as light AA-guns on land.
Just a few weeks before the Fall of France, the Oerlikon factory approved manufacture of their gun in the United Kingdom, under license. The Royal Navy managed to smuggle out the necessary drawings and documents from [[Zürich]]. The production of the first British-made Oerlikon guns started in [[Ruislip]], [[London]], at the end of 1940; and the first guns were delivered to the Royal Navy in March or April, 1941.


Just a few weeks before the fall of France, the Oerlikon factory approved manufacture of their gun in the United Kingdom, under licence. The Royal Navy managed to smuggle out the necessary drawings and documents from [[Zürich]]. The production of the first British-made Oerlikon guns started in [[Ruislip]], [[London]], at the end of 1940. The first guns were delivered to the Royal Navy in March or April, 1941. The [[RAF Regiment]] made extensive use of Oerlikon guns in the anti-aircraft role. These were the principal armament for its light anti-aircraft squadrons in North Africa, the Middle East, Italy, and north western Europe, until the introduction of the [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|Bofors]] 40/L60 40 mm gun from 1943, although many squadrons retained a mix of guns until the end of World War 2. Squadrons in the Far East were equipped exclusively with Oerlikons.
The Oerlikon gun was fielded in [[United States Navy]] ships starting in [[1942]], replacing the [[M2 Browning machine gun]], which lacked range and firepower. It became famous in the naval anti-aircraft role, providing an effective defence at short ranges (in practice up to 1.5 km) at which heavier guns had difficulty tracking a target. The gun was eventually abandoned as a major anti-air weapon due to its lack of [[stopping power]] against heavy aircraft and against Japanese ''[[kamikaze]]'' attacks during the [[Pacific War]]. It was largely superseded by the [[Bofors 40 mm]] gun and the [[3"/70 Mark 26 gun]]. It did, however, provide a useful increase in firepower over the .50 cal machine gun when adapted and fitted to some aircraft; however, it had some problems with jamming in the ammunition feed.


[[File:CV-12 20mm 1945.jpg|thumb|1945, a row of 20 mm Oerlikon guns aboard the {{sclass|Essex|aircraft carrier}} {{USS|Hornet|CV-12|6}}]]
The [[Royal Canadian Navy]], since renamed to become the [[Canadian Navy]], popularized the use of the Oerlikon gun as an anti-ship and anti-submarine gun - while it was not effective against the armour of most larger ships, it was used extensively and effectively against U-Boats, and on the decks of larger ships. A handful of Corvettes were fitted with the weapon toward the end of the war, but it appeared more commonly on frigates and destroyers at the time.


The Oerlikon gun was installed aboard [[United States Navy]] ships from 1942, replacing the [[M2 Browning machine gun]], which lacked range and firepower, and largely superseding the [[1.1"/75 caliber gun]], which was heavier and had less mechanical reliability. It became famous in the naval anti-aircraft role, providing an effective defense at short ranges (in practice up to 1.5&nbsp;km) at which heavier guns had difficulty tracking a target. The gun was eventually abandoned as a major anti-air weapon due to its lack of [[stopping power]] against heavy aircraft and against Japanese ''[[kamikaze]]'' attacks during the [[Pacific War]]. It was largely superseded by the [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|Bofors 40 mm]] gun and the [[3"/50 caliber gun|3"/50 Mark 22 gun]]. It provided a useful increase in firepower over the .50 cal machine gun when adapted and fitted to some aircraft. However, it had some problems with jamming in the ammunition feed.
The Oerlikon was also used as the basis for the [[Polsten]] gun, designed by Polish engineers in exile in the United Kingdom. The gun went into service in 1944, and was used well into the 1950s for, among other uses, on [[Cromwell tank]]s and early model [[Centurion tank]]s.


The [[Royal Canadian Navy]] popularised the use of the Oerlikon gun as an anti-ship and anti-submarine gun – while it was not effective against the armour of most larger ships, it was used extensively and effectively against [[U-boats]], and on the decks of larger ships. A handful of [[corvette]]s were fitted with the weapon toward the end of the war, but it appeared more commonly on [[frigate]]s and [[destroyer]]s at the time.
It is still in use today on some naval units, theoretically as a last-recourse anti-air weapon, but mainly used for police shots ([[warning shot]]s or incapacitating shots).


The Oerlikon was also used as the basis for the [[Polsten]] gun, designed by Polish engineers in exile in the United Kingdom. The gun went into service in 1944, and was used well into the 1950s, among other uses, on [[Cromwell tank]]s{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} and early model [[Centurion tank]]s.
==Description==
[[Image:Oerlikon 20mm 1.jpg|thumb|Rear view.]]


Romania purchased 45 pieces from Germany during the first half of World War II.<ref>{{cite book |last=Axworthy |first=Mark |date=1995 |title=Third Axis, Fourth Ally: Romanian Armed Forces in the European War, 1941–1945 |location=London, UK |publisher=[[Arms and Armour Press]] |page=30 |isbn=978-1-85409-267-0}}</ref>
The Oerlikon cannon and its derivatives feature [[Blowback_(arms)|blowback]] operation: The bolt is not locked to the breech of the gun on the moment of fire, but moves freely to the rear while the propellant gases propel the projectile forward. To make sure that the projectile has left the muzzle and the gas pressure in the barrel is down to a safe level before the breech opens, the firing pin strikes the primer while the bolt is still travelling forward, so that the gas pressure first has to overcome the forward momentum of the bolt before it can push it to the rear. To give the heavy bolt sufficient forward speed, a large spring is required, which is wrapped around the barrel of the gun. Also, the chamber is longer than needed to contain the case, so that the bolt and case must travel a small distance to the rear before the case extends beyond the face of the chamber. Nevertheless a fairly heavy bolt must be used, which limits the rate of fire.<ref name="Williams"/>


====Post-war====
This design results in the use of a characteristically shaped cartridge: The case has straight sides, very little neck, and a rebated rim. The straight sides allows the case to slide back and forward in the cylindrical chamber. The neck is not supported while this happens and therefore expands when the case is fired, and the [[Rim_(firearms)#Rebated_rim|rebated rim]] allows the face of the bolt, with its extractor claw hooked over the rim, to fit within the chamber. To ease the motion of the case, the ammunition needed to be greased, which was a drawback of the Oerlikon cannon. An alternative developed during WWII was the so-called fluted chamber, which had grooves that allowed gun gas to seep between the chamber wall and the case, taking over the role of the grease.<ref name="Williams"/>
{{Expand section|date=October 2011}}
It is still in use today on some naval units, nominally as a last-recourse anti-air weapon, but mainly used for firing [[warning shot]]s or incapacitating small vessels.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}


===Description===
Ammunition feed is typically by a 60-round drum [[Magazine (firearm)|magazine]] on the top of the gun. During sustained firing, the magazine must be frequently changed, reducing the effective rate of fire. Belt-fed versions of the gun were developed to overcome this limitation. A trigger in the right-hand grip controls fire. Used cartridges are ejected from below the breech.
[[File:Oerlikon20 mm cannon on the SS Jeremiah O'Brien.jpg|thumb|The aiming sight of the Oerlikon gun]]


Unlike most high-powered autocannons, the Oerlikon and its derivatives have a [[Blowback (firearms)|blowback]] mechanism: the bolt is not locked to the breech of the gun at the moment of firing. Non-locking, simple blowback designs are commonplace in much lighter weapons, such as small-caliber semi-automatic pistols. No locking is required, as with such low-power cartridges the static inertia of the bolt or bolt and slide - the physical tendency of heavy components to resist rapid acceleration - is adequate to ensure that the projectile has left the muzzle and the gas pressure in the barrel is down to a safe level before the breech opens (while the bolt spring also resists the opening of the breech, in practical terms its contribution is too small to be relevant).<ref>"The Machine Gun", Volume4, George M.Chinn., pages 12 and 15</ref> In contrast, 20mm cartridges are far too powerful, and efficient autocannon barrels too long, for this basic system to be practical; so the Oerlikon uses [[Advanced Primer Ignition]] (API) to augment the resistance of the bolt. In API blowback weapons, the firing pin fires the cartridge while the bolt is still traveling forward so that the gas pressure has to overcome the forward momentum of the bolt as well, before it can push it to the rear. To facilitate this, the Oerlikon's chamber is longer than needed to contain the cartridge, and the front-end of the bolt, which is the same diameter as the case, actually enters this extended chamber behind the cartridge before firing. As a result when firing occurs, the forward force of the bolt and spring acts against the force of the propellant gases until the latter overcome the former and start pushing case, bolt and spring backwards. If the bolt had stopped at the mouth of the chamber as in a simple blowback gun, this momentum would have been neutralized; instead thanks to the continuous movement the momentum acts to counter the propellant gases and slow the rearward travel of cartridge and bolt. Synergistically with this, a second advantage of this unusual arrangement is that after firing the bolt and case have a short, but significant, distance to travel rearwards before the bolt-end re-emerges and the case in turn begins to leave the chamber; and this in combination with the retardation of the rearward travel provides sufficient time for gas pressure to drop to the necessary safe level.<ref>"The Machine Gun", Volume4, George M.Chinn., page 13</ref> This system permits blowback to be used in far more powerful weapons than normal. Nevertheless, compared to guns with a locking mechanism, a fairly heavy bolt must be employed; while to give this heavy bolt sufficient forward speed, a large spring is required (and Oerlikons, distinctively, have this component wrapped around their barrels.) These features will limit the rate of fire of such guns, unless other steps are taken—as in the final model of the [[Type 99 cannon|Japanese 99 Mark 2]].{{sfnp|Williams|2000}}
Different nations and services operated a number of mounting types for the same basic gun. In a typical single-barrel naval version, it is free-swinging on a fixed [[pedestal]] mounting with a flat [[vehicle armor|armored]] shield affording some protection for the crew. The cannon is aimed and fired by a gunner using, in its simplest form, a ring-and-bead [[gunsight|sight]]. The gunner is attached to the weapon by a waist-belt and shoulder supports. For this reason, some mountings existed with a height-adjustment feature to compensate for different sized gunners. A "piece chief" designates targets and the feeder changes exhausted magazines.
[[File:Difference of normal and rebated rim cartridge in blowback operation.png|thumb|upright|Difference of normal and rebated rim cartridge in blowback operation]]


This unique chamber and bolt design necessitates the use of a characteristically shaped cartridge: the case has straight sides, very little neck, and a [[rebated rim]]. The straight sides allows the case to slide back and forward in the cylindrical chamber. The neck is not supported while this happens and therefore expands when the case is fired, and the rebated rim allows the face of the bolt, with its extractor claw hooked over the rim, to fit within the chamber. To ease the motion of the case, the ammunition needed to be greased, which was a drawback of the Oerlikon cannon. An alternative developed during World War II was the so-called fluted chamber, which had grooves that allowed propellant gas to seep between the chamber wall and the case, taking over the role of the grease.{{sfnp|Williams|2000}}
During WWII, twin and quadruple Oerlikon mounts were developed, both for army and for navy use. The British Navy operated a hydraulically operated twin-gun mount, and the USN adopted a four-gun mount.


{{multiple image
==Notes==
|align= right
{{reflist}}
|width= 150
|footer = A twin Oerlikon gun mount from the [[Tribal-class destroyer (1936)|Tribal-class destroyer]] {{HMCS|Haida|G63|6}}
|image1= HMCS Haida Hamilton Ontario 13.jpg
|width1=
|caption1= Side view of the twin Oerlikon gun mount
|image2= HMCS Haida Hamilton Ontario 14.jpg
|width2=
|caption2= Rear view of the twin Oerlikon gun mount
}}

Ammunition feed is typically by a 60-round drum [[Magazine (firearms)|magazine]] on the top of the gun. During sustained firing, the magazine must be frequently changed, reducing the effective rate of fire. Belt-fed versions of the gun were developed to overcome this limitation. A trigger in the right-hand grip controls fire. Used cartridges are ejected from below the breech.

Different nations and services operated a number of mounting types for the same basic gun. In a typical single-barrel naval version, it is free-swinging on a fixed [[pedestal]] mounting with a flat [[vehicle armour|armored]] shield affording some protection for the crew. The cannon is aimed and fired by a gunner using, in its simplest form, a ring-and-bead [[gunsight|sight]]. The gunner is attached to the weapon by a waist-belt and shoulder supports. For this reason, some mountings existed with a height-adjustment feature to compensate for different sized gunners. A "piece chief" designates targets and the feeder changes exhausted magazines.

During World War II, twin and quadruple Oerlikon mounts were developed, both for army and for navy use. The British Navy operated a hydraulically operated twin-gun mount. The US Navy operated a quad mount developed for [[PT boat]]s by Elco Naval Division, Electric Boat Company, called the Elco "Thunderbolt" mount. Prototypes were built and tested in late 1942 and operationally deployed on several Elco PT Boats in the Mediterranean.<ref name="Elco Memo">Elco Naval Division Memo. ''General Information on Elco Thunderbolt Mount, Mark II'', Bayonne, NJ: 1 December 1942.</ref><ref name="Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Twenty-Nine Memo">Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Twenty-Nine Memo to CNO. ''The Electric Boat Company Thunderbolt Quadruple 20 MM Powered Mount installed on PTs, operational report on'', New York, NY: 19 February 1945.</ref> It was also placed experimentally on the battleships {{USS|Arkansas|BB-33|2}}, {{USS|Colorado|BB-45|2}}, {{USS|Maryland|BB-46|2}}, {{USS|West Virginia|BB-48|2}}, {{USS|Washington|BB-56|2}}, {{USS|Massachusetts|BB-59|2}}, and training ship {{USS|Wyoming|BB-32|2}}.

=== Variants ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Type!! F!! L!! S<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airwar.ru/weapon/guns/oerlikon.html|title = Oerlikon F/L/S (FFF/FFL/FFS) 20-мм автоматическая пушка}}</ref> !! FFF!! FFL!! FFS
|-
!Caliber
|colspan="6"|20&nbsp;mm
|-
!Action
|colspan="6"|API blowback
|-
!Weight [kg]
|30||43||62||24||30||39
|-
!Length [mm]
|1,350||1,820||2,120||1,350||1,880||2,120
|-
!Barrel length [mm]
|800||1,200||1,400||760||1,200||1,400
|-
!Rate of Fire [rpm]
|450||350||280||520||500||470
|-
!Muzzle velocity [m/s]
|550- 575||670- 700||835- 870||550- 600||675- 750||830
|-
!Cartridge type
|20x 70RB||20x 101RB|| 20x 110RB||20x 72RB||20x 101RB|| 20x 110RB
|-
!Shell weight
|colspan="6"| 127g
|-
!Feed system
|colspan="3"|Box magazine 15 rounds||colspan="3"|Drums of 30, 45, 60, 75, 100 rounds or box magazine of 15 rounds
|}

== Gas-operated models ==
{{Expand section|date=November 2022}}
Although guns with blowback action had played an important part in WW2, it was obvious that something better was needed, especially for the universal demand for a high rate of fire.{{Sfn|Chinn|1951b|pp=547-553}} The blowback mechanism requires a careful balance between the force of the shell being fired and the operational timing of the mechanism. In the Oerlikon designs, these timing demands resulted in a relatively slow-cycling weapon.

As a response to this demand, Oerlikon developed "power reserve loading" action,{{Sfn|Chinn|1951b|pp=547-553}} introducing a gas-operated mechanism to unlock the breech.{{Sfn|Chinn|1951b|pp=554-561}} The gun produced to this design after the close of hostilities of WW2, and was called the 5TG,{{Sfn|Chinn|1951b|pp=547-553}} and shortly thereafter, the '''KAB'''.{{Sfn|Chinn|1987|pp=257-262}} It was the first Oerlikon gun design that differed radically from the original Becker design.{{Sfn|Chinn|1951b|pp=554-561}}

Shortly after the War, Oerlikon began development of another gas-operated autocannon, 204-Gk, presently '''KAA'''.{{Sfn|Chinn|1987|pp=257-262}} Both 5TG (KAB) and 204-Gk (KAA) uses 20mm×128 ammunition cartridge being developed by Oerlikon in 1943.{{Sfn|Chinn|1987|pp=257-262}}
<gallery widths="200" heights="150">
File:20mm gun.jpg|GAM-B01, shipboard mount with single KAA
File:C6C37B221.jpg|[[Oerlikon GAI-BO1|GAI-B01]] with single KAA mounted on a [[M113]]
File:Cañón Oerlikon 20-120 modelo 5 TG 2.JPG|High-angle gun mount with single KAB
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[List of autocannon]]
*[[List of API blowback firearms]]
*[[20mm caliber]]
*[[2 cm Flak 30/38/Flakvierling]]
*[[20 mm modèle F2 gun]]
*[[25 mm Hotchkiss anti-aircraft gun]]
*[[Hispano-Suiza HS.404]]
*[[Type 96 25 mm AT/AA Gun|Type 96 25 mm AT/AA gun]]
*[[Type 99 cannon]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Commons|Oerlikon 20mm}}

*Campbell, John. ''Naval Weapons of World War Two.'' Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1985.
===Bibliography===
*Heller, Daniel. ''Zwischen Unternehmertum, Politik und Überleben. Emil G. Bührle und die Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik Oerlikon, Bührle & Co 1924–1945.'' Verlag Huber: Frauenfeld 2002.
*{{cite book |last=Campbell |first=N. J. M. |date=1985 |title=Naval Weapons of World War Two |location=[[Annapolis]] |publisher=[[Naval Institute Press]]|isbn=978-0-87021-459-2}}
*Johnson, Melvin M., Jr. ''Rifles and Machine Guns.'' New York: William Morrow and Co., 1944.
* {{Citation|authorlink=George M. Chinn|first=George M.|last=Chinn|year=1951|title=The Machine Gun: History Evolution and Development of Manual, Automatic, and Airborne Repeating Weapons|volume=I|publisher=[[Bureau of Ordnance]]|url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ref/MG/I/index.html}}
*Williams, Anthony G. ''Rapid Fire: The development of automatic cannon, heavy machine guns and their ammunition for armies, navies and air forces.'' Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing LTD, 2003. ISBN 1-84037-435-7
* {{Citation|first=George M.|last=Chinn|year=1951b|title=The Machine Gun: Development During World War II and Korean Conflict by the United States and their Allies, of Full Automatic Machine Gun Systems and High Rate of Fire Power Driven Cannon|volume=III|publisher=Bureau of Ordnance|url=https://archive.org/details/TheMachineGunVolume3ByGeorgeMChinn/page/n1/mode/2up}}
*Pawle, Gerald. ''Secret Weapons of World War II.'' New York: Ballantine Books, 1978. ISBN 0-345-27895-X
* {{Citation|first=George M.|last=Chinn|year=1987|title=The Machine Gun: Development of Full Automatic Machine Gun Systems, High Rate of Fire Power Driven Cannon, and Automatic Grenade Launchers by the United States and her Allies, following World War II, Korean Police Action, and the Vietnam Conflict|volume=V|publisher=Bureau of Ordnance|url=https://archive.org/details/TheMachineGunVolume5ByGeorgeMChinn}}
*{{cite book |last=Friedman |first=Norman |title=The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4S3h8j_NEmkC&q=Oerlikon+20+mm%2F85+KAA&pg=PA478 |year=2006 |location=Annapolis |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=978-1-55750-262-9 |pages=478–480}}
*{{cite book |last=Heller |first=Daniel |date=2002 |title=Zwischen Unternehmertum, Politik und Überleben. Emil G. Bührle und die Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik Oerlikon, Bührle & Co 1924–1945 |trans-title=Between Entrepreneurship, Politics and Survival: Emil G. Bührle and the Oerlikon, Bührle & Co. Machine Tool Factory 1924-1945 |location=[[Frauenfeld]], Switzerland |publisher=Verlag Huber |language=de |isbn=978-3-71931-277-0}}
*{{cite book |last=Johnson | first=Melvin M. Jr. |date=1944 |title=Rifles and Machine Guns : A Modern Handbook of Infantry and Aircraft Arms |location=New York |publisher=[[William Morrow and Co.]]}}
*{{cite book |last=Pawle |first=Gerald |title=Secret Weapons of World War II |publisher=[[Ballantine Books]] |location=New York |year=1978 |isbn=0-345-27895-X}}
*{{cite book |last=Williams |first=Anthony G. |title=Rapid Fire: The Development of Automatic Cannon, Heavy Machine-Guns and Their Ammunition for Armies, Navies and Air Forces |publisher=Airlife |location=[[Shrewsbury]], UK |date=2000 |isbn=978-1-84037-122-2}}
*{{cite journal |url=http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/ihc/id/16234 |title=Navy Day |journal=The Harvester World |volume=35 |number=12 |date=December 1944 |page=12 |publisher=Harvester Press |location=Chicago}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons|Oerlikon 20mm}}
* [http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk/apib.html Of Oerlikons and other things], includes lins to a family tree diagram and pictures of cartridges.
*{{cite web |url=http://www.quarryhs.co.uk/apib.html |title=Of Oerlikons and Other Things…… |last=Williams |first=Anthony G. |date=July 2013 |website=Military Guns & Ammunition |access-date=16 September 2017 |archive-date=10 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110002552/http://www.quarryhs.co.uk/apib.html |url-status=dead }}
* http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/015706l.jpg
*{{cite web |url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/015706l.jpg |title=Naval Quad mount |website=Navsource.org}}
* [http://www.fronta.cz/dotaz/2cm-vkpl-vz-36-oerlikon VKPL vz. 36 - 20mm Oerlikon in Czechoslovak army] (''Czech only'')
*{{cite web |url=http://www.fronta.cz/dotaz/2cm-vkpl-vz-36-oerlikon |title=2cm VKPL vz. 36 Oerlikon |last=Zlámal |first=Stanislav |date=12 May 2009 |website=Fronta.cz |language=cs}}
*{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7qExnBNWJk | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/W7qExnBNWJk| archive-date=2021-10-30|title=Naval Legends: Oerlikon |author=World of Warships |date=24 August 2017 |website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}


{{API blowback firearms}}
[[Category:Automatic cannons]]
{{WWIIBritishCommNavalWeapons}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

[[Category:API blowback firearms]]
[[Category:Autocannon]]
[[Category:World War I aircraft guns]]
[[Category:World War I aircraft guns]]
[[Category:World War II anti-aircraft guns]]
[[Category:World War II anti-aircraft guns]]
[[Category:Cold War anti-aircraft guns]]
[[Category:World War II naval weapons]]
[[Category:Anti-aircraft guns of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Naval anti-aircraft guns|20]]
[[Category:Naval anti-aircraft guns|20]]
[[Category:Oerlikon]]
[[Category:Oerlikon-Contraves]]
[[Category:20 mm artillery]]
[[Category:20 mm artillery]]
[[Category:Naval guns of the United States]]
[[Category:Naval guns of the United States]]
[[Category:Naval guns of the United Kingdom]]

[[Category:World War II naval weapons of the United Kingdom]]
[[de:20-mm-Oerlikon-Kanone]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1930s]]
[[es:Oerlikon 20 mm]]
[[ms:Meriam 20 mm Oerlikon]]
[[ja:エリコンFF 20 mm 機関砲]]
[[no:Oerlikon 20 mm maskinkanon]]
[[pl:Oerlikon 20 mm]]
[[ru:Эрликон]]
[[fi:Oerlikon 20 mm]]

Latest revision as of 08:03, 23 October 2024

Oerlikon 20 mm cannon
Oerlikon 20 mm cannon in French service
TypeAutocannon
Place of originSwitzerland
Service history
In service1937–present
Used byVarious
WarsWorld War II, various
Production history
DesignerReinhold Becker
Designed1935
ManufacturerOerlikon
Produced1937–
No. built124,734[1]
VariantsOerlikon FF
MG FF cannon
Specifications
MassL70
Total gun barrel weight: 68.04 kilograms (150.0 lb)
Minus breech mechanism: 20.865 kg (46.00 lb)
L85
Empty: 92.0 kilograms (202.8 lb)
Loaded with 200 rounds: 182.0 kg (401.2 lb)
LengthL70
Overall: 2,210 mm (87 in)
Barrel length: 1,400 mm (55 in)
L85
Overall: n/a
Barrel length: 1,700 mm (67 in)

ShellL70: 20×110mmRB
L85: 20×128mm
Shell weightHE: 123 g (4.3 oz)
HE/T: 116 g (4.1 oz)
Caliber20 mm (0.787inch)
BarrelsSingle barrel (progressive RH parabolic twist, 9 grooves)
ActionAPI blowback
ElevationManual, -15°/+90°
TraverseManual, full 360°
Rate of fireL70:
Cyclic: 450 rounds per minute
Practical: 250-320 rounds per minute
L85:
Cyclic: 900 to 1,000 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocityL70: 820 m/s (2,700 ft/s)
L85: 1,050 m/s (3,400 ft/s)
Effective firing rangeAgainst low-flying aircraft (HE round)
L70: 914 m (1,000 yd)
L85: 1,500 m (1,600 yd)
Maximum firing rangeHE round at 45°
L70: 4,389 m (4,800 yd)
L85: 6,800 m (7,400 yd)
Feed systemCylindrical magazine holding 60 rounds, Later adjusted to be a belt fed gun

The Oerlikon 20 mm cannon is a series of autocannons based on an original German Becker Type M2 20 mm cannon design that appeared very early in World War I. It was widely produced by Oerlikon Contraves and others, with various models employed by both Allied and Axis forces during World War II. Many versions of the cannon are still used.[2][3]

Blowback-operated models

[edit]

History

[edit]

Origins

[edit]

During World War I, the German industrialist Reinhold Becker developed a 20 mm caliber cannon, known now as the 20 mm Becker using the advanced primer ignition blowback (API blowback) method of operation. This used a 20×70mmRB cartridge and had a cyclic rate of fire of 300 rpm. It was used on a limited scale as an aircraft gun on Luftstreitkräfte warplanes, and an anti-aircraft gun towards the end of that war.

Because the Treaty of Versailles banned further production of such weapons in Germany, the patents and design works were transferred in 1919 to the Swiss firm SEMAG (Seebach Maschinenbau Aktien Gesellschaft) based near Zürich. SEMAG continued development of the weapon, and in 1924 had produced the SEMAG L, a heavier weapon (43 kg) that fired more powerful 20×100mmRB ammunition at a slightly higher rate of fire, 350 rpm.

In 1924, SEMAG failed. The Oerlikon firm, named after the Zürich suburb of Oerlikon where it was based, then acquired all rights to the weapon, plus the manufacturing equipment and the employees of SEMAG.

Oerlikon

[edit]

In 1927 the Oerlikon S was added to the existing product line. This fired a still larger cartridge (20x110RB) to achieve a muzzle velocity of 830 m/s (versus 490 m/s for the original Becker 20x70RB gun), at the cost of increased weight and a reduced rate of fire (280 rpm). The purpose of this development was to improve the performance of the gun as an anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapon, which required a higher muzzle velocity. An improved version known as the 1S followed in 1930.

Three sizes of gun with their different ammunition and barrel length, but very similar mechanisms, continued to be developed in parallel. In 1930 Oerlikon reconsidered the application of its gun in aircraft and introduced the AF and AL, designed to be used in flexible mounts, i.e. manually aimed by a gunner. The 15-round box magazine used by earlier versions of the gun was replaced by drum magazine holding 15 or 30 rounds.

In 1935 it made an important step by introducing a series of guns designed to be mounted in or on the wings of fighter aircraft. Designated with FF for Flügelfest meaning 'wing-mounted', these weapons were again available in the three sizes, with designations FF, FFL and FFS. The FF fired a slightly larger cartridge than the AF, 20x72RB, but the major improvement in these weapons was a significant increase in rate of fire. The FF weighed 24 kg and achieved a muzzle velocity of 550 to 600 m/s with a rate of fire of 520 rpm. The FFL of 30 kg fired a projectile at a muzzle velocity of 675 m/s with a rate of fire of 500 rpm. And the FFS, which weighed 39 kg, delivered a high muzzle velocity of 830 m/s at a rate of 470 rpm.[4]

Apart from changes to the design of the guns for wing-mounting and remote control, larger drums were introduced as it would not be possible to exchange magazines in flight. For the FF series 45, 60, 75 and 100 (and a rarely used 150) drum magazines were available, but most users chose the 30 or 60-round drum.

The 1930s were a period of global re-armament, and a number of foreign firms took licenses for the Oerlikon family of aircraft cannon. In France, Hispano-Suiza manufactured development of the FFS as the Hispano-Suiza HS.7 and Hispano-Suiza HS.9, for installation between the cylinder banks of its V-12 engines. In Germany, Ikaria further developed the FF gun as the MG FF, firing 20x80RB ammunition. And the Imperial Japanese Navy, after evaluating all three guns, ordered developments of the FF and FFL as the Type 99-1 and Type 99-2.

The incorporation of the improvements of the FFS in a new anti-aircraft gun produced, in 1938, the Oerlikon SS. Oerlikon realized further improvements in rate of fire on the 1SS of 1942, and the 2SS of 1945 which achieved 650 rpm. However, it was the original SS gun which was widely adopted as anti-aircraft gun, being especially widely used by Allied navies during World War II.

This gun used a 400-grain (26-gram) charge of IMR 4831 smokeless powder to propel a 2,000-grain (130-gram) projectile at 2,800 feet (850 meters) per second.[5]

World War II

[edit]
A Royal Navy Oerlikon gunner at his gun mount aboard the Dido-class cruiser HMS Dido in 1942

The Oerlikon FF was installed as armament on some fighters of the 1930s, such as the Polish PZL P.24G. Locally produced derivatives of the Oerlikon cannon were used much more extensively, on aircraft, on ships and on land. In the air, the Ikaria MG FF was used as armament on a number of German aircraft, of which the most famous is the Messerschmitt Bf 109. The Japanese Navy similarly used their copy of the FF, designated the Type 99 Mark 1 cannon on a number of types including the Mitsubishi A6M Zero. Later in the war, they also equipped fighters including the Zero with the Type 99 Mark 2, a version of the more powerful and faster-firing Oerlikon FFL.

The French firm of Hispano-Suiza was a manufacturer of aircraft engines, and it marketed the moteur-canon combination of its 12X and 12Y engines with a H.S.7 or H.S.9 cannon installed between the cylinder banks. The gun fired through the hollow propeller hub, this being elevated above the crankcase by the design of the gearing. Such armament was installed on the Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 and some other types. Similar German installations of the MG FF were not successful.

Diagrams showing basic design and color-coding of British HE/incendiary, tracer and HE/incendiary/tracer shells for the 20 mm Oerlikon gun

The Oerlikon became best known in its naval applications. Initially the Oerlikon was not looked upon favorably by the Royal Navy as a short-range anti-aircraft gun. In 1937–1938 Lord Louis Mountbatten, then a captain in the Royal Navy, advocated within the Royal Navy to set up an unprejudiced trial for the Oerlikon 20 mm gun, but was unsuccessful. It was not until the Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet, Admiral Sir Roger Backhouse, was appointed First Sea Lord that Mountbatten's efforts bore fruit. During the first half of 1939 a contract for 1,500 guns was placed in Switzerland. However, due to delays and then later the fall of France in June 1940, only 109 guns reached the United Kingdom. All Oerlikon guns imported from Switzerland, in 1940, were mounted on various gun carriages to serve as light AA-guns on land.

Just a few weeks before the fall of France, the Oerlikon factory approved manufacture of their gun in the United Kingdom, under licence. The Royal Navy managed to smuggle out the necessary drawings and documents from Zürich. The production of the first British-made Oerlikon guns started in Ruislip, London, at the end of 1940. The first guns were delivered to the Royal Navy in March or April, 1941. The RAF Regiment made extensive use of Oerlikon guns in the anti-aircraft role. These were the principal armament for its light anti-aircraft squadrons in North Africa, the Middle East, Italy, and north western Europe, until the introduction of the Bofors 40/L60 40 mm gun from 1943, although many squadrons retained a mix of guns until the end of World War 2. Squadrons in the Far East were equipped exclusively with Oerlikons.

1945, a row of 20 mm Oerlikon guns aboard the Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Hornet

The Oerlikon gun was installed aboard United States Navy ships from 1942, replacing the M2 Browning machine gun, which lacked range and firepower, and largely superseding the 1.1"/75 caliber gun, which was heavier and had less mechanical reliability. It became famous in the naval anti-aircraft role, providing an effective defense at short ranges (in practice up to 1.5 km) at which heavier guns had difficulty tracking a target. The gun was eventually abandoned as a major anti-air weapon due to its lack of stopping power against heavy aircraft and against Japanese kamikaze attacks during the Pacific War. It was largely superseded by the Bofors 40 mm gun and the 3"/50 Mark 22 gun. It provided a useful increase in firepower over the .50 cal machine gun when adapted and fitted to some aircraft. However, it had some problems with jamming in the ammunition feed.

The Royal Canadian Navy popularised the use of the Oerlikon gun as an anti-ship and anti-submarine gun – while it was not effective against the armour of most larger ships, it was used extensively and effectively against U-boats, and on the decks of larger ships. A handful of corvettes were fitted with the weapon toward the end of the war, but it appeared more commonly on frigates and destroyers at the time.

The Oerlikon was also used as the basis for the Polsten gun, designed by Polish engineers in exile in the United Kingdom. The gun went into service in 1944, and was used well into the 1950s, among other uses, on Cromwell tanks[citation needed] and early model Centurion tanks.

Romania purchased 45 pieces from Germany during the first half of World War II.[6]

Post-war

[edit]

It is still in use today on some naval units, nominally as a last-recourse anti-air weapon, but mainly used for firing warning shots or incapacitating small vessels.[citation needed]

Description

[edit]
The aiming sight of the Oerlikon gun

Unlike most high-powered autocannons, the Oerlikon and its derivatives have a blowback mechanism: the bolt is not locked to the breech of the gun at the moment of firing. Non-locking, simple blowback designs are commonplace in much lighter weapons, such as small-caliber semi-automatic pistols. No locking is required, as with such low-power cartridges the static inertia of the bolt or bolt and slide - the physical tendency of heavy components to resist rapid acceleration - is adequate to ensure that the projectile has left the muzzle and the gas pressure in the barrel is down to a safe level before the breech opens (while the bolt spring also resists the opening of the breech, in practical terms its contribution is too small to be relevant).[7] In contrast, 20mm cartridges are far too powerful, and efficient autocannon barrels too long, for this basic system to be practical; so the Oerlikon uses Advanced Primer Ignition (API) to augment the resistance of the bolt. In API blowback weapons, the firing pin fires the cartridge while the bolt is still traveling forward so that the gas pressure has to overcome the forward momentum of the bolt as well, before it can push it to the rear. To facilitate this, the Oerlikon's chamber is longer than needed to contain the cartridge, and the front-end of the bolt, which is the same diameter as the case, actually enters this extended chamber behind the cartridge before firing. As a result when firing occurs, the forward force of the bolt and spring acts against the force of the propellant gases until the latter overcome the former and start pushing case, bolt and spring backwards. If the bolt had stopped at the mouth of the chamber as in a simple blowback gun, this momentum would have been neutralized; instead thanks to the continuous movement the momentum acts to counter the propellant gases and slow the rearward travel of cartridge and bolt. Synergistically with this, a second advantage of this unusual arrangement is that after firing the bolt and case have a short, but significant, distance to travel rearwards before the bolt-end re-emerges and the case in turn begins to leave the chamber; and this in combination with the retardation of the rearward travel provides sufficient time for gas pressure to drop to the necessary safe level.[8] This system permits blowback to be used in far more powerful weapons than normal. Nevertheless, compared to guns with a locking mechanism, a fairly heavy bolt must be employed; while to give this heavy bolt sufficient forward speed, a large spring is required (and Oerlikons, distinctively, have this component wrapped around their barrels.) These features will limit the rate of fire of such guns, unless other steps are taken—as in the final model of the Japanese 99 Mark 2.[4]

Difference of normal and rebated rim cartridge in blowback operation

This unique chamber and bolt design necessitates the use of a characteristically shaped cartridge: the case has straight sides, very little neck, and a rebated rim. The straight sides allows the case to slide back and forward in the cylindrical chamber. The neck is not supported while this happens and therefore expands when the case is fired, and the rebated rim allows the face of the bolt, with its extractor claw hooked over the rim, to fit within the chamber. To ease the motion of the case, the ammunition needed to be greased, which was a drawback of the Oerlikon cannon. An alternative developed during World War II was the so-called fluted chamber, which had grooves that allowed propellant gas to seep between the chamber wall and the case, taking over the role of the grease.[4]

Side view of the twin Oerlikon gun mount
Rear view of the twin Oerlikon gun mount
A twin Oerlikon gun mount from the Tribal-class destroyer HMCS Haida

Ammunition feed is typically by a 60-round drum magazine on the top of the gun. During sustained firing, the magazine must be frequently changed, reducing the effective rate of fire. Belt-fed versions of the gun were developed to overcome this limitation. A trigger in the right-hand grip controls fire. Used cartridges are ejected from below the breech.

Different nations and services operated a number of mounting types for the same basic gun. In a typical single-barrel naval version, it is free-swinging on a fixed pedestal mounting with a flat armored shield affording some protection for the crew. The cannon is aimed and fired by a gunner using, in its simplest form, a ring-and-bead sight. The gunner is attached to the weapon by a waist-belt and shoulder supports. For this reason, some mountings existed with a height-adjustment feature to compensate for different sized gunners. A "piece chief" designates targets and the feeder changes exhausted magazines.

During World War II, twin and quadruple Oerlikon mounts were developed, both for army and for navy use. The British Navy operated a hydraulically operated twin-gun mount. The US Navy operated a quad mount developed for PT boats by Elco Naval Division, Electric Boat Company, called the Elco "Thunderbolt" mount. Prototypes were built and tested in late 1942 and operationally deployed on several Elco PT Boats in the Mediterranean.[9][10] It was also placed experimentally on the battleships Arkansas, Colorado, Maryland, West Virginia, Washington, Massachusetts, and training ship Wyoming.

Variants

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Type F L S[11] FFF FFL FFS
Caliber 20 mm
Action API blowback
Weight [kg] 30 43 62 24 30 39
Length [mm] 1,350 1,820 2,120 1,350 1,880 2,120
Barrel length [mm] 800 1,200 1,400 760 1,200 1,400
Rate of Fire [rpm] 450 350 280 520 500 470
Muzzle velocity [m/s] 550- 575 670- 700 835- 870 550- 600 675- 750 830
Cartridge type 20x 70RB 20x 101RB 20x 110RB 20x 72RB 20x 101RB 20x 110RB
Shell weight 127g
Feed system Box magazine 15 rounds Drums of 30, 45, 60, 75, 100 rounds or box magazine of 15 rounds

Gas-operated models

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Although guns with blowback action had played an important part in WW2, it was obvious that something better was needed, especially for the universal demand for a high rate of fire.[12] The blowback mechanism requires a careful balance between the force of the shell being fired and the operational timing of the mechanism. In the Oerlikon designs, these timing demands resulted in a relatively slow-cycling weapon.

As a response to this demand, Oerlikon developed "power reserve loading" action,[12] introducing a gas-operated mechanism to unlock the breech.[13] The gun produced to this design after the close of hostilities of WW2, and was called the 5TG,[12] and shortly thereafter, the KAB.[14] It was the first Oerlikon gun design that differed radically from the original Becker design.[13]

Shortly after the War, Oerlikon began development of another gas-operated autocannon, 204-Gk, presently KAA.[14] Both 5TG (KAB) and 204-Gk (KAA) uses 20mm×128 ammunition cartridge being developed by Oerlikon in 1943.[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Budge, Kent G. (2014). "20mm Oerlikon Light Antiaircraft Gun". The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  2. ^ "Switzerland Oerlikon 20 mm/70 (0.79") Mark 1"". NavWeaps.com. 14 January 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  3. ^ "Britain 20 mm/85 (0.79") GAM-BO1". NavWeaps.com. 21 June 2008. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  4. ^ a b c Williams (2000).
  5. ^ Johnson (1944), Appendix.
  6. ^ Axworthy, Mark (1995). Third Axis, Fourth Ally: Romanian Armed Forces in the European War, 1941–1945. London, UK: Arms and Armour Press. p. 30. ISBN 978-1-85409-267-0.
  7. ^ "The Machine Gun", Volume4, George M.Chinn., pages 12 and 15
  8. ^ "The Machine Gun", Volume4, George M.Chinn., page 13
  9. ^ Elco Naval Division Memo. General Information on Elco Thunderbolt Mount, Mark II, Bayonne, NJ: 1 December 1942.
  10. ^ Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Twenty-Nine Memo to CNO. The Electric Boat Company Thunderbolt Quadruple 20 MM Powered Mount installed on PTs, operational report on, New York, NY: 19 February 1945.
  11. ^ "Oerlikon F/L/S (FFF/FFL/FFS) 20-мм автоматическая пушка".
  12. ^ a b c Chinn 1951b, pp. 547–553.
  13. ^ a b Chinn 1951b, pp. 554–561.
  14. ^ a b c Chinn 1987, pp. 257–262.

Bibliography

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