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Type-60 self-propelled 106 mm recoilless rifle

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Type-60 self-propelled 106 mm recoilless rifle
Komatsu Type-60 recoilless gun during winter exercises
TypeTank destroyer
Place of originJapan
Service history
In service1960-2008
Used byJapan
Production history
DesignerKomatsu
Designed1956-1960
ManufacturerKomatsu
Produced1960–77
No. built252
Specifications
Mass8,000 kilograms (18,000 lb)
Length4.3 m (14 ft 1 in)
Width2.23 m (7 ft 4 in)
Height1.38 m (4 ft 6 in)
Crew3

Caliber105 mm (4.1 in)
Elevation-20° to +15°
Traverse60°
Muzzle velocity500 m/s
Effective firing range2,750 m (3,010 yd)
Maximum firing range7,700 m (8,400 yd)

Armor12 mm (0.5 in) steel
Main
armament
2 × M40 recoilless rifles
Secondary
armament
1 × .50 caliber spotting rifle
EngineKomatsu 6T 120-2 air-cooled, 6-cylinder diesel
150 hp (110 kW)
Power/weight15 hp/tonne
Transmissionmanual (4 forward and 1 reverse gears)
Suspensiontorsion bar
Ground clearance0.35 m (14 in)
Fuel capacity140 L (37 U.S. gal)
Operational
range
250 km (160 mi) (road)
Maximum speed 55 km/h (34 mph)

The Type-60 self-propelled 106 mm recoilless gun (or rifle) (60式自走無反動砲, roku-maru-shiki-jisou-muhandou-hou) is a light anti-tank vehicle developed by Japan in the late 1950s. It mounts two M40 106 mm recoilless rifles as its main armament.

Development

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In the mid-1950s the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force contracted for one prototype each from Komatsu (SS1) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (SS2) powered by a 110 hp six-cylinder diesel engine and fitted with two 105-millimeter (4.1 in) recoilless rifles. They were delivered in 1956. A second series of prototypes was built with 4 recoilless rifles, but adoption of the 105mm American M40 recoilless rifle forced the reversion to two weapons. The Type 60 was designed for ambush attacks against enemy tanks, and mounting four weapons gave the vehicle a rather high profile. A third series of three heavier prototypes was built by Komatsu as SS4, with a more powerful engine, a new transmission and clutch and a two-speed auxiliary transmission. They were accepted into service in September 1960.

Starting in 1974, a 150 hp Komatsu SA4D105 air-cooled, 4-cylinder diesel engine was fitted.

Operation

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Rear view of a Type 60 at the Sinbudai Old Weapon Museum, Camp Asaka, Japan

The commander is seated to the left of the two weapons and his position is attached to their mounting so that he remains at the same height when they are elevated for firing. The M40s can be fired from the lowered position, but their traverse is limited to 20°, elevation to +10° and depression to -5°. The elevation mechanism is manually operated and allows the weapons to traverse 30° to each side. The loader is seated to the left of the commander and must exit through his rear-opening hatch to reload the recoilless rifles while on top of the engine deck or behind the vehicle.

Eight rounds of ammunition are stowed on board, and two outside.

In 2001 Japan reported to the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs that 140 Type 60s were in service.[1]

Similar vehicles

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Notes

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  1. ^ "JGSDF Inventory circa 2001". United Nations. Archived from the original on 2011-05-21. Retrieved 2008-12-24.

References

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  • McNab, Chris (2003). Military Vehicles. Hoo, Kent, UK: Grange Books. p. 53. ISBN 1-84013-539-5.
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