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
TypeSelf-propelled anti-aircraft gun
Place of originJapan
Service history
In service1987 to present
Used byJapan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF)
Production history
DesignerMitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan Steel Works
Designed1982
ManufacturerMitsubishi Heavy Industries
Produced1987
No. built52
Specifications
Mass44 t
LengthHull: 6.7 m (22 ft 0 in)
Width3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)
Height4.10 m (13 ft 5 in)
(radar erected)
Crew3
ArmorSteel, "Classified"
Main
armament
2 × Oerlikon 35 mm KDA autocannon
Secondary
armament
2 × 3 smoke grenade dischargers
EngineMitsubishi 10ZF Type 22 10-cylinder air-cooled diesel engine
750 hp (560 kW)
Power/weight17 hp/ton
SuspensionHydro-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.

A Type 87 prototype at the JGSDF public information center.

Status

In 2010, it was reported that the Japan Self-Defense Forces had 52 of these vehicles in service.

References
  1. 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".
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