The Becker cannon type 2 of 20 mm calibre was developed at the Reinhold Becker steelworks in Willich, founded in 1908. This German automatic cannon was primarily intended for use in aircraft and airships. In 1916, mass production began. It was installed, for example, in Gotha Ursinus G.U.H G.I bombers, later known as Gotha G.I, or in Zeppelin airships. It was the only German automatic gun to serve in the air during the war. However, it also found its use as an anti-aircraft or anti-tank weapon. In 1919, the new Czechoslovak army introduced 47 cannons into its armament.