Type 87 RCV
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| Type 87 RCV | |
|---|---|
 The Type 87 on display at Camp Takeyama. | |
| Type | Reconnaissance vehicle |
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1987 – present |
| Used by | Japan Ground Self-Defense Force |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1983 |
| Manufacturer | Komatsu |
| Unit cost | About 300 million Yen |
| Produced | 1987 |
| No. built | at least 95 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 15 tonnes |
| Length | 5.99 m |
| Width | 2.48 m |
| Height | 2.8 m |
| Crew | 5 (driver, radio operator, gunner, observer and commander) |
| Armor | 10–20 mm Rolled homogeneous armour[1] |
Main armament | 25mm Oerlikon Autocannon |
Secondary armament | Type 74 7.62 mm Machinegun |
| Engine | Isuzu 10PBI diesel engine 305 hp / 2,700 rpm[2] |
| Suspension | coil springs |
| Ground clearance | 1.5 m |
Operational range | 500 km |
| Maximum speed | 100 km/h |
The Type 87 Reconnaissance Combat Vehicle, also simply known as "RCV" and nicknamed Black Eye (ブラックアイ), is a 6x6 wheeled reconnaissance vehicle designed and manufactured by Komatsu Limited and employed exclusively by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The JGSDF continued to commission new units up until as recently as 2013.[3]
History
[edit]After World War II, the United States supplied the newly established Japan Ground Self-Defense Force with several variants of the M8 Greyhound armoured car. However, due to concerns about Japan's poor road conditions—many roads were unpaved and poorly maintained—a relatively small number were deployed for military service. By 1982, improvements in Japanese infrastructure spurred the development of the first armoured fighting vehicle produced by Japanese industry for the Japanese armed forces: the successful Type 82 "Shikitsu" Command Vehicle. Testing of the Type 87 began in 1985, with Komatsu completing its development based on the earlier Type 82.
Features
[edit]The Type 87 accommodates five crew members, with two positioned in the powered-traverse turret at the center of the hull. The vehicle's door is situated on the left side of the main body. The hull, constructed from fully welded steel, shares many automotive components with the Type 82 and includes power steering. The primary armament is a Japanese variant of the Oerlikon Contraves 25mm autocannon, produced under license, capable of firing various ammunition types at up to 600 rounds per minute. Its armor, while sturdy enough to protect the vehicle and crew against small arms fire and grenade shrapnel, will not protect against heavier ordnance. It is well armed for its class but lacks truly amphibious capabilities, being only able to ford up to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) of water.
 Type 87
|
 BRDM-2
|
 VEC-M1
|
 Spähpanzer Luchs
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | 
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|
|
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| Length | 5.99m | 5.75m | 6.2m | 7.74m |
| Width | 2.48m | 2.35m | 2.5m | 2.98m |
| Height | 2.80m | 2.31m | 2.51m | 2.84m |
| Mass | 15.0t | 7.7t | 13.75t | 19.5t |
| Top speed | 100 km/h | 100 km/h | 99 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Amphibious? | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Crew | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Weapons | 25mm Oerlikon auto-cannon Type 74 7.62mm machine-gun |
KPV 14.5mm heavy machine gun×1 PKT 7.62mm machine-gun |
M242 auto-cannon MG3 7.62mm machine-gun |
Rheinmetall MK20 auto-cannon MG3 7.62mm machine-gun |
Gallery
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "Type 87 AFV". www.tanks-encyclopedia.com. 15 July 2014.
- ^ ARG. "Type 87 Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle - Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2007.
- ^ "防衛省・自衛隊：予算等の概要". www.mod.go.jp.
- Chant, Christopher (1987). A Compendium of Armaments and Military Hardware. Routledge.
External links
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