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Komatsu Type 87 ARV
JGSDF Type87 reconnaissance vehicle 20120527-03
The Type 87 on display at Camp Takeyama.
Type Armoured Fighting Vehicle
Place of origin Japan
Service history
In service From 1987 to the present
Used by Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces
Production history
Designed 1983
Manufacturer Komatsu
Unit cost 2,5 million yen
Produced 1987
Specifications
Mass 15 tonnes
Length 5.99 m
Width 2.48m
Height 2.8m
Crew 5 (driver, radio operator, gunner, observer and commander)

Armor 8mm Rolled homogeneous armour[1]
Main
armament
25mm Oerlikon Autocannon
Secondary
armament
7.62mm Machinegun
Engine Isuzu 10PBI diesel engine
305 hp / 2,700 rpm[2]
Suspension coil springs
Ground clearance 1,5 mts
Operational
range
500 km
Maximum speed 100 km/h

The Type 87 Reconnaissance and Patrol Vehicle, also known as Burakkuai or Type 87 ARV (for Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle) for short, is a 6x6 wheeled Armoured Fighting Vehicle designed and manufactured by multinational heavy industry manufacturer Komatsu Limited and employed exclusively by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces. The JGSDF continued to commission new units up until as recently as 2013[3]

History[]

After World War 2, the United States provided the newly-created Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces with a number of variants of the M8 Greyhound armoured 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 first armoured fighting vehicle developed 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[]

The Type 87 features the same kind of hull construction that is common for armored military vehicles, where the armoured exterior of the vehicle acts both as protection and as the main structural framework, as opposed to the chasis-and-coachwork structure that is typical of civilian and non-armored construction. It's rectangular body is sloped in the front and accommodates five crew members, two of which occupy the powered-traverse turret located in the center of the hull. The vehicle's door is on the left of the main body.

The Type 87's hull is made out of steel and is fully welded, and utilizes many of the same automotive components of the Type 82 and features power 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 against small arms fire 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 meters of water.

Comparison of Similar Plattforms
JapanType 87 RussiaBRDM-2 SpainVEC-M1 GermanySpähpanzer Luchs
portrait Type87 scout and caution vehicle BRDM-2 on a military parade VEC Zaragoza Panzermuseum Munster 2010 0634
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 Oerlikon auto-cannon
7.62mm machine-gun
KPV 14.5mm heavy machine gun×1
PKT 7.62mm machine-gun
M242 auto-cannon
MG3 7.62mm machine-gun
Rheinmetal MK20 auto-cannon
MG3 7.62mm machine-gun

Gallery[]

References[]

  • Chant, Christopher (1987). A Compendium of Armaments and Military Hardware. Routledge. 

External links[]

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The original article can be found at Type 87 ARV and the edit history here.