A heavy Panzerjäger (tank destroyer) was ordered to be built by the Waffenamt in 1941.
The vehicle was originally intended to be a self propelled assault gun, and was developed as such, but part way through development it was realised that with the anti aircraft usefulness of the 8.8 cm gun, it could also be used in the role of an anti-aircraft vehicle.
The turret was open, with armoured superstructure panels folding down on each side to make a platform level with the hull top and allow full 360° traverse; when raised the panels provided some protection for the vehicle's crew, who were also protected from the front by a shield for the gun.
While a number of different guns were considered, the vehicle eventually ended up being armed with the FlaK 41 L/74.
It served with Heeres Flakartillerie Abteilung in Italy, which was assigned to the 26th Panzer Division.