The 3 cm MK 303 Flak and twin-mounted 3 cm MK 303 Flakzwilling (M44) were experimental 30 mm anti-aircraft guns developed in Nazi Germany. They fired the powerful 30x210mm round and only 222 were produced.[1] The gun was to be installed on Type XXI submarines as AA defense[3] and its use as AA defense replacing 2 cm Flak and 3.7 cm Flak weapons was also considered. The use of 3 cm M.K. 303 Flakzwilling on Flakpanzer IV "Kugelblitz" was considered, but rejected. The development began in late 1941[1] and production started in late 1944.

3 cm MK 303 (Br)
3cm MK 303 Flakzwilling, two 3 cm MK 303 in the twin mount
TypeAnti-aircraft cannon
Place of originNazi Germany
Service history
In serviceunknown
Used byNazi Germany
WarsWorld War II
Production history
ManufacturerKrieghoff[1]
Produced1944–1945
No. built222 (32 in 1944 and 190 in 1945)[1]
Variants3 cm Flakzwilling MK 303 (Br)
Specifications
Mass185 kg (408 lbs)[2]
Length3.145 m (10 ft 3.8 in)
Barrel length2.2 m (7 ft 3 in) L/73

Shell30×210mm
Caliber30 mm (1.18 in)
Elevation-10°to ±85°
Traverse360°
Rate of fire400 rpm (cyclic)
Muzzle velocity1100 m/s (3,609 ft/s) M-Schos
900 m/s (2,953 ft/s) HE
950 m/s (3,117 ft/s) AP/HE[2]
Feed system15 cartridge clip

Post War Usage

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Postwar PLDvK vz. 53
of Czechoslovak army

In the 50s, the MK 303 was produced in Czechoslovakia under the designation M53, with the clip feed replaced by a 10-round box magazine.[1] It was also used as armament of SPAAG M53/59 Praga.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Авиапушки Кригхоффа. MG 301, MK 303". December 28, 2015. Archived from the original on July 14, 2019. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "3 cm M.K.303 (Br) / 3 cm Flakzwilling M.K.303 (Br) : Germany (DEU)". armedconflicts.com. 26 January 2006.
  3. ^ "dsub geschütze". www.ww2technik.de.