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Type 87 RCV

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Type 87 RCV
The Type 87 on display at Camp Takeyama.
TypeArmoured Fighting Vehicle
Place of originJapan
Service history
In service1987 – present
Used byJapanese Ground Self-Defense Forces
Production history
Designed1983
ManufacturerKomatsu
Unit costAbout 300 million Yen
Produced1987
No.builtat least 95
Specifications
Mass15 tonnes
Length5.99 m
Width2.48 m
Height2.8 m
Crew5 (driver, radio operator, gunner, observer and commander)

Armor10–20 mmRolled homogeneous armour[1]
Main
armament
25mm OerlikonAutocannon
Secondary
armament
Type 747.62 mmMachinegun
EngineIsuzu 10PBIdiesel engine
305 hp / 2,700 rpm[2]
Suspensioncoil springs
Ground clearance1.5 m
Operational
range
500 km
Maximum speed100 km/h

TheType 87 Reconnaissance Combat Vehicle,also simply known as "RCV "and nicknamedBlack Eye(ブラックアイ), is a 6x6 wheeledreconnaissance vehicledesigned and manufactured byKomatsu Limitedand employed exclusively by theJapan Ground Self-Defense Force.The JGSDF continued to commission new units up until as recently as 2013.[3]

History

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AfterWorld War II,the United States provided the newly created Japan Ground Self-Defense Force with a number of variants of theM8 Greyhoundarmoured car. However, a relatively small number of these were employed due to concerns about the poor quality of roads in Japan, as many Japanese roads were unpaved and poorly maintained, limiting the feasibility of wheeled vehicles for military service. By 1982, Japanese infrastructure had greatly improved, motivating the development of the firstarmoured fighting vehicledeveloped and manufactured by Japanese industry for the Japanese armed forces, the successful Type 82 'Shikitsu' Command Vehicle. Tests for the Type 87 began in 1985 and the Type 87 would later finish developed by Komatsu based on the earlier Type 82.

Features

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The Type 87 accommodates five crew members, two of which occupy the powered-traverseturretlocated in the center of the hull. The vehicle's door is on the left of the main body. The hull is made out of steel and is fullywelded,and utilizes many of the same automotive components of the Type 82 and featurespower steering.The main armament is a Japanese version of the Oerlikon Contraves 25 millimeter autocannon produced under licence, which can fire various kinds of ammunition at up to 600 rounds per minute. Its armor, while sturdy enough to protect the vehicle and crew againstsmall armsfire 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.

Comparison of Similar Platforms
JapanType 87 Soviet UnionBRDM-2 SpainVEC-M1 GermanySpähpanzer Luchs
Portrait
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 Oerlikonauto-cannon
Type 747.62mm machine-gun
KPV14.5mm heavy machine gun×1
PKT7.62mm machine-gun
M242auto-cannon
MG37.62mm machine-gun
Rheinmetall MK20auto-cannon
MG37.62mm machine-gun
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References

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  1. ^"Type 87 AFV".tanks-encyclopedia.15 July 2014.
  2. ^ARG."Type 87 Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle - Military-Today".military-today.
  3. ^"Phòng vệ tỉnh ・ tự vệ đội: Dư tính chờ の điểm chính".mod.go.jp.
  • Chant, Christopher (1987).A Compendium of Armaments and Military Hardware.Routledge.
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