Type 90 tank
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Type 90 | |
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hydropneumatic & torsion bar suspension | |
Operational range | 350 km |
Maximum speed | 70 km/h (acceleration: 0–200 m in 20 s) |
The Type 90 tank (90式戦車, Kyū-maru-shiki-sensha) is a main battle tank (MBT) of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). It was designed and built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as a replacement for the Type 61 and to supplement the then current fleet of Type 74 tanks, and entered service in 1990.[citation needed]
History
After the adoption of the
]A first series of two prototypes of the Type 90 were developed, both armed with a Japanese 120 mm smoothbore gun (produced by Japan Steel Works Limited) firing Japanese ammunition (produced by Daikin Industries Limited).[1] The first prototype (TK-X-0001) was completed by 1982, and underwent testing shortly after. Following the first tank's completion, development began on the second prototype (TK-X-0002), until it was completed by June 1985, after experiencing delays. Testing and design modifications such as improvements to the turret and half modular type ceramic composite armour were conducted starting in October 1983, and continued until October 1986.[citation needed]
A second series of four prototypes was built between 1986 and 1988, incorporating changes resulting from trials with the first two prototypes. These were armed with the
With the exception of the 120 mm smoothbore gun, which is made under license from Rheinmetall of Germany, the Type 90 and its subsystems are all designed and built in Japan, leading to higher per unit costs than comparable models from NATO countries such as the M1 Abrams and the Challenger 2. Development of upgrades to the Type 90 suffered both as a result of limited budget, which caused procurement delays,[3] and funding prioritization in favor of the Type 10 main battle tank. Due to a perception that Type 90s are unsuited to operations in the tight confines of Japan's urban areas, they are preferentially assigned to the JGSDF Fuji School Brigade and the 7th Armored Division based in Hokkaido, where there is sufficient room for maneuver.[4]
With the exception of training exercises such as the annual Combined Live Fire Exercise hosted by the United States Army at Yakima Training Center in Washington state,[5] the Type 90 has never been deployed overseas, and has never been tested in combat.
Design
Armament
The Type 90 mounts a
Since its introduction there have been several upgrades to the fire-control system, including the addition of a Yttrium-Aluminium-Garnet laser rangefinder with a range of 300 to 5,000 meters, a 32-bit ballistics analysis computer, improved thermal imaging and Automated-tracking systems, and improved gun stabilization. The FCS also has an automated tracking system, and is capable of engaging moving or stationary targets while moving in day or night. The automatic target tracking system uses a thermal image display which can be controlled by either the tank gunner or commander. It is capable of tracking soldiers, vehicles and helicopters. The targeting computer can also calculate lead on moving targets.[citation needed]
The commander's sight consists of a 3× / 10× (day-only sight). The sight can track vertically from −29 to +29 degrees, as well as track horizontally through 180 degrees. The gunners sight has a 10 x magnification.[citation needed]
The gun is armed and loaded by a mechanical bustle
Mounted in front of the gunner's hatch on the turret is the ubiquitous
Armor
The profile of the Type 90 is similar to the
The Type 90 is smaller than most main battle tanks with a height of 2.33 metres (7.6 ft), a width of 3.33 metres (10.9 ft), and a weight of 50.2 metric tons (55.3 short tons). It was designed with a distinctive low-slung turret with boxy, vertical sides and a long overhanging bustle.[citation needed] In comparison, the Leopard 2A4's dimensions are 2.48 metres (8.1 ft) high and 3.70 metres (12.1 ft) wide with a weight of 55.2 metric tons (60.8 short tons).
Mobility
The powerpack of the Type 90 tank has the Mitsubishi 10ZG32WT 10-cylinder two-stroke cycle diesel engine providing 1500 hp, coupled with Mitsubishi MT1500 automatic transmission with four forward and two reverse gears, manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (designated 10ZG32WT, MT1500). The development of the 10ZG32WT prototype was started in 1972 and was finished in 1982.[citation needed] It can attain a top output of 1,120 kW (1,500 horsepower @15min).
The hydropneumatic suspension units are mounted on the front and rear pair of road wheels, which can be adjusted on-the-fly to deal with uneven terrain, a requirement on Japan's rough, mountainous terrain.
According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense official data report, the acceleration of the type is 0–200 m in 20 seconds.[citation needed]
Manufacture
The Type 90 has an approximate unit cost of 790 million
341 Type 90 tanks were produced between 1990 and 2009 with an average annual production number of 19 vehicles. The original procurement plan was established in the 1980s while Japan was experiencing asset price bubble. After the asset price bubble burst in 1991 and the collapse of Soviet Union in 1992, Japan started to cut its defense budget. In order to save budget for
Transportation
Being 12 tonnes heavier than its predecessor, the Type 74, the Type 90 was found to be more challenging to operate around Japan, with the exception of Hokkaido. Some politicians therefore criticized the effectiveness of Type 90 due to difficulty in transportation. In fact, more than 65% of major bridges in Japan were still considered passable for the Type 90, while overseas main battle tanks, such as Challenger 2 and Leopard 2, could only use 40% of bridges in Japan.[9]
Operators
Japan: 341 (2014)
- Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
- Northern Army
- 2nd Division
- 2nd Tank Regiment
- 7th Division
- 71st Tank Regiment
- 72nd Tank Regiment
- 73rd Tank Regiment
- 7th Reconnaissance Unit
- 5th Brigade
- 5th Tank Battalion
- 11th Brigade
- 11th Tank Unit
- 2nd Division
- JGSDF Fuji School
- Armor Department
- JGSDF Fuji School (Combined Training) Brigade
- Armored Guidance Corps
- Training Evaluation Unit
- JGSDF Ordnance School (JGSDF Camp Tsuchiura)
- Northern Army
See also
Tanks of comparable role, performance and era
- Arjun Mk 1: Indian main battle tank
- C1 Ariete: Italian main battle tank
- Karrar: Iranian main battle tank (equivalent to T-90M)
- M1 Abrams: US main battle tank
- T-90: Russian main battle tank
- Type 99: Chinese main battle tank
- Zulfiqar-3: Iranian main battle tank
References
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-04-01.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ ja:90式戦車[circular reference]
- ^ "Ragtag military left to defend Japan on shoestring budget ‹ Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion". Archived from the original on 2012-09-26. Retrieved 2011-05-27.
- ^ "90式戦車(Type90MBT)". goinkyox.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-24. Retrieved 2011-05-26.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2011-10-05. Retrieved 2011-05-26.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Type 90 Tank -GlobalSecurity.org
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/japan/type-90.htm Archived 2006-10-03 at the Wayback Machine - ^ "Based on the production of nine Type 90 tanks during FY2007)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-07-01.
- ^ "防衛白書の検索画面". www.clearing.mod.go.jp. Archived from the original on 2018-11-15. Retrieved 2018-11-30.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-05-05.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "90式戦車". Archived from the original on 2010-02-18.
- Christopher F. Foss (ed)., Jane's Armour and Artillery, Jane's Information Group, c1988
- Foss, Christopher F. (1986). Jane's Main Battle Tanks (Second ed.). City Road, London: Jane's Publishing Company Limited. ISBN 0-7106-0372-X.
External links
- Type 90 tank at the Federation of American Scientists
- Type 90 Tank at Globalsecurity.org
- Main Battle Tank Type 90 at ArmsWorld
- Type 90 Main Battle Tank at Historyofwar
- Official unit cost data of Type 90 Main Battle Tank at Japan Ministry of Defense pdf file
- 120 mm L44 Tank Gun at Rheinmetall AG
- Official Video -Type90 Tank- at Channel J (product cooperation:JGSDF)
- Official Video -Calflex 2006– at United States Central Command (U.S.CENTCOM)
- YouTube Video1 at YouTube
- YouTube Video2 at YouTube
- YouTube Video3 at YouTube
- YouTube Video4 at YouTube