Type 00 35mm Portable Automatic Cannon

The Type 00 35mm PAC (JP: 00式 35mm 持ち運び可能 自動機関砲) is based off of the Oerlikon GDF-001 belt-fed KDA 35mm autocannon, a widespread anti-aircraft cannon that can also be found on the Japanese Type 87 SPAAG. The firing mechanism is almost completely unchanged from the original GDF-001, though the barrel has been shortened by a full meter and the velocity measuring device on the end has been removed, depriving the weapon of the ability to use programmable fuze munitions.
The Type 00 was developed in response to requests from Kishin units for a ranged weapon. The superheavy infantry units were constrained to oversized melee weapons at the start of the China War, which suited their role as propaganda pieces. However, this very quickly put Kishin on the frontlines at a disadvantage against anything other than enemy infantry. The Japanese were reluctant to devote time and money towards developing an entirely new weapon system for the Kishin (part of the original reason one was never made in the first place) and decided the most cost-effective way to satisfy the Kishins’ needs was to adapt an autocannon currently in use.
Based off of the KDA model of the GDF-001, the Type 00 is belt-fed, receiving ammunition from a detachable backpack connecting to a mechanically-assisted flexible feed-chute. The backpack contains 2000 rounds (enough for  216 seconds of sustained fire) and can be detached with explosive bolts, quickly freeing the Kishin of its substantial weight on occasions where mobility is more valuable than firepower. The autocannon itself is likewise typically fixed to the arm in an effort to alleviate the stress of weight and recoil on the joints, and can also be detached with explosive bolts. This does come with the caveat that once detached, the weapon cannot be recovered without assistance from a ground crew.
An offshoot of the Type 00 PAC is the Type 01 35mm Special-Purpose Sniper Cannon.
Category:PACYOA: TE
Category:Japan
Category:TE Technology