Type 99 155 mm self-propelled howitzer
Type 99 155 mm self-propelled howitzer | |
---|---|
![]() Type 99 of the JGSDF | |
Type | Self-propelled artillery |
Place of origin | Japan |
Service history | |
In service | 1999 |
Used by | Japan |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries/Japan Steel Works |
Produced | 1999–2022[1] |
No. built | 117 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 40 tons |
Width | 3.2 m |
Crew | 4 |
Caliber | 155 millimetres (6.1 in) |
Traverse | 360° |
Rate of fire | 6 rpm |
Armor | aluminum alloy |
Main armament | 1x Japan Steel Works, 155 mm/L52 Artillery Gun |
Secondary armament | 1x 12.7 mm M-2HB machine gun |
Engine | Mitsubishi 6SY31WA 6-cylinder diesel 600 bhp |
Suspension | torsion bar |
Operational range | 300 km (185 mi) |
Maximum speed | 49.6 km/h |
This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2021) |
The Type 99 155 mm self-propelled howitzer (99式自走155mm榴弾砲, kyuu-kyuu-shiki-jisou-155mm-ryuudan-hou) is a self-propelled howitzer of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, which was developed as successor of the Type 75 155 mm Self-propelled howitzer.
History
The development of Type 99 self-propelled howitzer began in 1985 in order to replace the old Type 75 self-propelled howitzer. The new self-propelled artillery would use a L52 155 mm gun instead of the old L30 155 mm gun and would also mount the latest Fire-control system. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was tasked to design the chassis and the gun would be manufactured by Japan Steel Works.
The designing stage cost 5 billion yen and was completed in 1992. After various technical and practical tests, the first vehicle was delivered to the training division of Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in 1999.[2]
Overview
Research and development was started from 1985 as a successor for the older Type 75 self-propelled 155 mm howitzer. Japan Steel Works was the primary contractor, and developed the main gun and the turret.
The Type 99 uses a modified chassis from the Mitsubishi Type 89 IFV, lengthened with an additional road wheel. The Type 99 uses a 52 caliber barrel compared to the 30 caliber barrel on the Type 75 self-propelled howitzer. The secondary armament of the Type 99 consists of a roof-mounted .50 caliber (12.7 mm) machine gun, fitted with a shield. The armor of the Type 99 provides protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. The vehicle is powered by a diesel engine, providing 600 horsepower. A travel lock for the gun is mounted on the front of the hull, which folds back onto the glacis plate when not in use. The Type 99 self-propelled howitzer is resupplied from the Type 99 ammunition resupply vehicle.
Operators
- Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
- Fuji School
- Fuji School(Combined Training)Brigade
- JGSDF Artillery School Unit
- Ordnance School
- Fuji School(Combined Training)Brigade
Northern Army
2nd Division
- 2nd Artillery Regiment(Mechanized)
5th Brigade
- 5th Artillery Unit
7th Division
- 7th Artillery Regiment(Mechanized)
11th Brigade
- 11th Artillery Unit (Mechanized)
- Northern Army Combined Brigade
- 1st Sergeant Training Unit
- Fuji School
Similar vehicles
References
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- Articles with short description
- Articles needing additional references from May 2021
- All articles needing additional references
- Articles containing Japanese-language text
- All stub articles
- Artillery stubs
- 155 mm artillery
- Self-propelled howitzers of Japan
- Tracked self-propelled howitzers
- Military vehicles introduced in the 1990s