Type 87 SPAAG

History

The Type 87 SPAAG is a traditional tracked self-propelled air defense platform originally developed by the Japanese defense industry for use by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force. The system was originally intended to replace the aging U.S.-origin M42 "Duster" self-propelled air defense platform.

As Japanese state control eased over time after World War II (restrictions allowed only limited development of Japanese indigenous weapons), the Japanese military establishment flourished and created some impressive modern battlefield machines.

The Type 87 SPAAG itself was born out of a request by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to replace the M42 series, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries gave the answer. The weapon is similar to the Swiss Oerlikon 35mm gun used in the German Army's Cheetah SPAAG and was developed in-house by Japanese steel mills.

Preliminary design work on the new car began in 1982, and the system was officially adopted by the Japanese army in 1987 - hence its more prosaic moniker "Type 87".

The Type 87 uses the existing Type 74 MBT chassis with some minor changes to the role of the self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicle. Originally, the vehicle was developed from an improved version of the Type 61 main battle tank in 1961, but those efforts were rejected with the arrival of the Type 74, an updated main battle tank system, introduced in 1974 Debut. It is mounted on a 360-degree rotating turret that lifts the guns individually.

The Type 87 was piloted by a crew of three, consisting of a driver, commander and gunner.

Externally, the Type 74's chassis mimics most of the clean lines of the Type 74 MBT. There are five large wheels on one side of the chain, with the chain idler at the front of the body and the drive sprocket at the rear. The engine is also housed in its own compartment at the rear. The turret assembly is pre-installed amidships and features the use of two side-mounted articulated artillery systems and a stern-mounted radar array.

The driver has a place in the hull, while the commander and gunner operate the turret. The radar system actively aimed the gun at the target. Self-defense is enhanced by 2 x 3 smoke grenade launchers mounted on either side of the turret.

The profile of the turret is quite high and the gun extends to the front hull, but for an anti-aircraft artillery platform (as opposed to a tank destroyer) size is not an issue. The car is powered by a Mitsubishi 10F22W1 series 10-cylinder air-cooled diesel engine, delivering over 700 horsepower to the chassis.

With a total weight of about 36 tons, the Type 87 has a maximum road speed of 37 mph and a range of nearly 310 miles. The suspension system is hydropneumatic.

The Type 87 SPAAG is still active in the JGSDF, with around 50 units deployed.

SPAAG Specification Type 87

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

6 x Smoke Grenade

Changes