20mm Rheinmetall Rh-202
MK 20
Overview
Rh-202
Double feed model Rh-202 autocannon.
Source: Rheinmetall -
© copyright lies with original owner
"German for Machine Cannon 20"
Description
Introduction
The Rh-202 is an early Cold War era 20mm autocannon of German origin. It was developed in the 1960's by Rheinmetall as a limited weight autocannon that could provide a high volume of fire. The design has proven to be very capable and has been used in a wide variety of applications. The Rh-202 is also well known under its German service designation MK 20, which is short for "Machinenkanone 20".
Design
The Rh-202 is a gas operated weapon with a rather high rate of fire. The recoil forces are reduced by a muzzle brake and the design principle of firing a round before the previous recoil phase is completed. A single and double belt feed model are available. For vehicle applications the double feed is common in order to rapidly switch between armor piercing and high explosive rounds. For anti-aircraft use only high explosive rounds are required.
Firepower
The Rh-202 fires the common 20x139mm NATO round for which a wide variety of ammunition types are available. The Rh-202 can fire single shots or automatic fire at 880 to 1.020 rpm. The effective range is 2 km while the slant range for high explosive rounds is about 4 km. The 20x139mm round is effective against infantry, softskin and light armored vehicles and nearby aircraft. More heavily armored vehicles such as mechanized infantry combat vehicles and light tanks are usually resistant against the 20x139mm round.
Platforms
The Rh-202 is used for a variety of applications. The most common use is on the Marder mechanized infantry combat vehicle, but also on many other vehicles including the Luchs, Tipo 6616 and Wiesel reconnaissance vehicles. The Rh-202 is also used in a similar named towed twin anti-aircraft gun and on single gun pedestal mounts on navy ships.
Media
Wegmann MK 20
Double feed Rh-202 autocannon in use on a Wegmann naval mount.
Source: www.en.valka.cz
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Rh-202
Two single feed Rh-202 are used on the Rh-202 towed anti-aircraft gun.
Source: Passe par tout
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Details
Application
Spähpanzer Luchs
The German Luchs wheeled reconnaissance vehicle is armed with the Rh-202.
Single feed in early models, double feed in A1 and A2 variants.
UR-416
The Rh-202 single feed 20mm autocannon is the heaviest weapon option for the UR-416 armored personnel carrier.
Rh-202
The Rh-202 towed anti-aircraft gun is armed with two 20mm Rh-202 Type 3 (single belt feed) autocannon.
Rheinmetall S-20
Naval pedestal gun mount with a single Rh-202 single feed autocannon.
Wegmann naval mount
Naval pedestal gun mount with a single Rh-202 Type 2 double feed autocannon.
Related articles
20mm Giat M693
The French M693, also known as the Modèle F2, uses the same 20x139mm cartridge as the Rh-202 and has a similar performance.