TCM-20 AA Gun

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	Weapon: TCM-20 AA Gun Type: Anti-Aircraft Defenses Country of Origin: Israel Year Adopted: 1950 Caliber: 20x110mm Hispano Action: Gas Operated Fully Automatic Overall Length (mm): 4570.0 Weight (kg): 2600.00 Effective Range (m): 2000

The TCM-20 Anti-Aircraft Gun was an Israeli adaptation of the M55 mount, which featured twin 20mm autocannons. Developed in the early years of Israel's statehood, the TCM-20 was designed to provide a versatile, mobile air-defense solution capable of engaging low-flying aircraft and light armored vehicles. Its twin Oerlikon 20mm cannons offered a high rate of fire, making it particularly effective against fast-moving targets. Mounted on various platforms, including wheeled vehicles and tracked chassis, the TCM-20 was both mobile and adaptable, serving multiple roles on the battlefield.

Production of the TCM-20 began in the 1950s, and it quickly became a staple of the Israeli Defense Forces' (IDF) air defense units. Hundreds of units were manufactured, with some also being exported to allied nations. The system saw extensive use during key conflicts such as the Six-Day War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Despite its primary role as an anti-aircraft weapon, the TCM-20 was often employed in a ground-support role, where its rapid-fire capability proved invaluable in suppressing enemy infantry and light vehicles.

The TCM-20 gained a reputation for reliability and versatility in combat. Its deployment in multiple wars demonstrated its effectiveness both as an anti-aircraft system and as a direct-fire weapon in ground operations. Over time, the system was phased out in favor of more advanced air defense systems, such as surface-to-air missiles. However, its impact on Israeli military strategy during its service period cemented its legacy as a critical component of Israel's early air-defense capabilities. The TCM-20 remains a symbol of Israel's ingenuity in adapting available technology to meet its unique defense needs.