Type 87 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
The Type 87 Self-propelled Anti-aircraft Gun (87式自走高射機関砲, 87-shiki jisō kōsha kikanhō) is a Japanese air defense weapon built around the Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon system as used on the Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. The system uses a modified Type 74 tank chassis. It is also nicknamed by field officers as "Guntank" after the similar-looking mecha in the Mobile Suit Gundam series.[1]
| Mitsubishi Type 87 | |
|---|---|
 Type 87 SPAAG at Camp Shimoshizu, Chiba Prefecture | |
| Type | Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun |
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1987 to present |
| Used by | Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan Steel Works |
| Designed | 1982 |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries |
| Produced | 1987 |
| No. built | 52 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 44 t |
| Length | Hull: 6.7 m (22 ft 0 in) |
| Width | 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in) |
| Height | 4.10 m (13 ft 5 in) (radar erected) |
| Crew | 3 |
| Armor | Steel, "Classified" |
Main armament | 2 × Oerlikon 35 mm KDA autocannon |
Secondary armament | 2 × 3 smoke grenade dischargers |
| Engine | Mitsubishi 10ZF Type 22 10-cylinder air-cooled diesel engine 750 hp (560 kW) |
| Power/weight | 17 hp/ton |
| Suspension | Hydro-pneumatic |
Operational range | 300 km (190 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 53 km/h (33 mph) |
History
As the JSDF began to seek a replacement for the M42 Duster SPAAGs provided by the United States, the Japanese Defense Agency began to issue requirements for the production of a local SPAAG unit to replace the M42. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries had been eventually awarded the contract to produce a SPAAG unit to replace its old M42s.
Development
It had been developed in 1987, given the Type 87 designation status, with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries providing the chassis and Japan Steel Works providing the cannon system. Initially, the chassis of the Type 61 tank would be used. Later, it had been rejected and had the chassis of the Type 74 tank used instead as a basis for producing the Type 87 SPAAG.
Prior to its development, tests had begun underway in 1982 with a prototype SPAAG unit manufactured in 1983.
Status
In 2010, it was reported that the Japan Self-Defense Forces had 52 of these vehicles in service.
References
- ガンタンクとか87AWとも呼ばれる。 Also called Guntank or 87AW.
- "87式 自走高射機関砲". Archived from the original on 2008-01-31.
- "87式自走高射機関砲". Archived from the original on 2010-08-17.
- "87式自走高射機関砲".
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Type 87 (SPAAG). |
- Type-87 self-propelled anti-aircraft machine-gun at GlobalSecurity.org