Oerlikon FF

Oerlikon FF 20 mm cannon
Type 99 Mark 1 cannon (Japanese license-built Oerlikon FF)
TypeAutocannon
Place of originSwitzerland
Service history
In service1940–
Used byVarious
WarsWorld War II
Production history
DesignerReinhold Becker
Designed1935
ManufacturerOerlikon
VariantsType 99 Mark 1 cannon
MG FF cannon
Specifications
Mass25 kg (55 lb) [1]
Barrel lengthL/38: 760 mm (30 in)[1]

Shell20mm×72RB[1]
Caliber20 mm (0.787inch)
BarrelsSingle barrel (progressive RH parabolic twist, 9 grooves)
ActionAPI blowback
Rate of fire520 rounds per minute[1]
Muzzle velocity600 m/s (2,000 ft/s)[1]
Feed systemCylindrical magazine holding 60 rounds, Later adjusted to be a belt fed gun

The FF were a series of 20mm autocannon introduced by Oerlikon in the late 1920s. The name comes from the German term Flügel Fest, meaning wing mounted, fixed, being one of the first 20mm guns to be small and light enough to fit into a fighter aircraft's wing. The FF series inspired many 20mm cannon used in World War II, including the Hispano-Suiza HS.404 (adopted by the French, British and U.S. forces), the German MG FF, and the Japanese IJNAS's Type 99 cannon.

  1. ^ a b c d e Williams, Anthony G. (July 2013). "OF OERLIKONS AND OTHER THINGS……". Retrieved November 8, 2022.