Type 87 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun

For the Chinese gun, seeZU-23-2 § China.

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 - 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	38 t
Length	Hull: 7.99 m (26 ft 3 in)
Width	3.18 m (10 ft 5 in)
Height	4.10 m (13 ft 5 in) (radar erected)
Crew	3
Armor	Steel,"Classified"
Main armament	2 ×Oerlikon 35 mm KDAautocannon
Secondary armament	2 × 3smoke grenade dischargers
Engine	Mitsubishi10ZF Type 22 10-cylinderair-cooleddiesel engine 560 kW (750 hp)
Power/weight	13 kW/t (17 hp/t)
Suspension	Hydro-pneumatic
Operational range	300 km (190 mi)
Maximum speed	53 km/h (33 mph)

TheType 87 Self-propelled Anti-aircraft Gun(87 thức tự tẩu cao xạ cơ quan pháo,87-shiki jisō kōsha kikanhō)is a Japanese air defense weapon built around theOerlikon 35 mm twin cannonsystem as used on theGepardself-propelled anti-aircraft gun. The system uses a modifiedType 74tank chassis. It is also nicknamed by field officers as "Guntank" after the similar-lookingmechain theMobile Suit Gundamseries.

History

As the JSDF began to seek a replacement for theM42 DusterSPAAGs 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 Industrieshad 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, withMitsubishi Heavy Industriesproviding the chassis andJapan Steel Worksproviding the cannon system. Initially, the chassis of theType 61tank 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.

Variants

• AWX (1978)

The first prototype of the Type 87 that was based on aType 61chassis. Tests showed the weight of the turret with the radar and fire control systems was too much and so later prototypes used aType 74chassis.

• AWX (1983)

The second Type 87 prototype that used a Type 74 chassis.This prototype differed from the production version by a lack of smoke grenade launchers and the ability to equip a Type 92 mine roller on the front.

A Type 87 prototype at the JGSDF public information center.

Status

In 2010, it was reported that theJapan Self-Defense Forceshad 52 of these vehicles in service.

Operators

Japan

• Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
  • Northern Army
    • 2nd Division
      • 2nd Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion
        • 3rd Antiaircraft company(2 platoons: 8 vehicles)
    • 7th Division
      • 7th Antiaircraft Artillery Regiment
        • 1st Antiaircraft company(2 platoons: 8 vehicles)
        • 2nd Antiaircraft company(2 platoons: 8 vehicles)
        • 3rd Antiaircraft company(2 platoons: 8 vehicles)
        • 4th Antiaircraft company(2 platoons: 8 vehicles)
    • Air Defense School
      • Air Defense School Unit
        • 3rd Antiaircraft company(2 platoons: 8 vehicles)
    • Ordnance School(Camp Tutiura )

References

• "87 thức tự tẩu cao xạ cơ quan pháo".Archived fromthe originalon 2008-01-31.
• "87 thức tự tẩu cao xạ cơ quan pháo".Archived fromthe originalon 2010-08-17.
• "87 thức tự tẩu cao xạ cơ quan pháo".