WesWorld

Weapons of Luftwaffe aircraft (weapons used by the aircrews and fallschirmjaegers can be found in the Army section).

Barreled weapons

Synchronizeable -
MG-201 – Standardized in late 1937, the MG-201 is the first 20mm weapon standardized by the Luftwaffe. It is expected to replace the MG-151 in fighter installations beginning in 1938, and over time may replace the MG-151 in bomber installations as well. It fires 117 gram API and 115 gram HET projectiles at 830 m/s at a ROF of 720 rpm from belts of 20 x 96mm cartridges.

MG-151 – Standardized in 1932, the MG-151 is a standard Luftwaffe weapon used in fixed mountings on fighters and some flexible and turret installations on bombers. It fires 72 gram AP and APT projectiles at 850 m/s at a ROF of 750 rpm from belts of 15 x 96mm cartridges. An HE projectile under development.

MG-111 – Standardized in 1936, the MG-111 is intended to replace the MG-15s and -17s in many of their roles. It fires 35 gram AP and APT projectiles at 870 m/s at a ROF of 1020 rpm for unsynchronized mountings and 900 rpm in synchronized mountings from belts of 11 x 72mm cartridges.

MG-17 – Standardized in 1930, the MG-17 is the first weapon standardized for fighters by the Luftwaffe after it's recreation. Commonly fitted in pairs in the nose of fighters, the MG-17 fires 11.5 gram AP-v projectiles at 865 m/s at an ROF of 1200 rpm from belts of 7.92 x 57mm cartridges.


Non-synchronizeable
MG-15 – Standardized in 1930, the he MG-15 is the second weapon standardized for fighters by the Luftwaffe after it's recreation. A flexible weapon intended for use in defensive positions,, the MG-15 fires 11.5 gram AP-v projectiles at 865 m/s at an ROF of 1250 rpm from 75 rounds double drums of 7.92 x 57mm cartridges.

MG-81 – Standardized in 1936, the MG-81 is based on the MG-33. Intended to replace the MG-17, it also sees some use in non-synchronized fixed mountings. the MG-15 fires 11.5 gram AP-v projectiles at 800 m/s at an ROF of 1600 rpm from belts of 7.92 x 57mm cartridges. The MG-81Z is a mounting with two MG-81s mounted together, with the left-hand gun feeding from the left and the right-hand gun feeding from the right.

MK-101 - Standardized in 1937, the 30mm MK-101 is the first 30mm cannon standardized by the Luftwaffe. A very heavy weapon at 179 kg, it also suffers from a small ammunition supply (the standard box magazine holds only 10 rounds) and a low rate of fire of around 240 rpm. It fires 420 gram AP-T and HE projectiles at 860 m/s.