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Air defense / Anti-aircraft guns / TCM-20

TCM-20

General Facts

  • TYPE
    Towed anti-aircraft gun

  • ORIGIN
    Israel

  • NICKNAMES
    -

  • DESIGNED
    1969

  • DESIGNER
    Israeli Aircraft Industries

  • PRODUCTION
    1970 - ?

  • PRODUCERS
    Israel - Israeli Aircraft Industries

  • QUANTITY
    At least 370, possibly over 500

  • UNIT COST
    Unknown

  • CHARACTERISTICS
    Increased range and firepower over M55
    Auxiliary power unit
    Manually aimed

Introduction

The TCM-20 is an anti-aircraft gun of Israeli origin. It was developed in order to increase the firepower and effective range of the towed US M55 anti-aircraft gun. It proved to be very succesful in combat although by today's standards it is considered an obsolete system.

Layout

The TCM-20 is based on the US M55 anti-aircraft gun. The four 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine guns have been replaced by two 20mm HS.404 autocannon, one on each side. Most HS.404 were removed from obsolete Israeli aircraft. The TCM-20 is operated by a single person. Others often aid in reloading the autocannon. The TCM-20 is manually aimed at targets and can be used in conjunction with a Elta EL/M-2106 poin defence alert radar.

Firepower

The TCM-20 mounts two HS.404 autocannon that fire the 20x110mm round. Each gun as a cyclic rate of fire of 600 to 700 rpm and feeds from a 60 round drum. The effective range is 1.2 km against air targets and 1.5 km against ground targets. The 20mm rounds will penetrate the walls of buildings and will disable unarmored vehicles and most armored personnel carriers.

Mobility

Most TCM-20 are towed systems and can be towed by a jeep or light truck that also carries additional ammunition. In order to increase the mobility many Israeli systems were mounted on ex-US halftracks and captured BTR-152 armored personnel carriers. It is also marketed on the RAM 4x4 reconnaissance vehicle.

Users

The TCM-20 was used effectively by Israeli forces during several conflicts, including the 1973 Yom Kippur war and 1982 Lebanon War. With the introduction of newer air defense systems many TCM-20 have been exported to nations in Africa and South America.

Variants

TCM-20

The TCM-20 is a upgraded M55 anti-aircraft gun that has been fitted with two 20mm HS.404 autocannon. Most TCM-20 are towed systems, although some have been mounted on a variety of vehicles in order to improve mobility.

TypeTowed anti-aircraft gun
Crew1
Ordnance20x110mm HS.404 autocannon (2x)
Elevation-10 to +90°, 67°/s
Traverse360°, 72°/s
Rate of fire600 - 700 rpm cyclic (per barrel), 150 rpm practical
Range1.2 km vs aircraft, 1.5 km vs ground targets, 4.5 km slant range
Carriage2 wheel carriage with two outriggers, 0.31 m ground clearance
Weight1.350 kg with ammunition
Length3.27 m (travelling)
Width1.7 m (travelling)
Height1.63 m (travelling)
Towing vehicle4x4 light truck
Speed?
RemarksAPU fitted for powered elevation and traverse

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