Engineering:Type 60 Self-propelled 106 mm Recoilless Gun

Short description: Japanese anti-tank vehicle

Type 60 Self-propelled 106 mm Recoilless Gun
Komatsu Type 60 Recoilless Gun during winter exercises
Type	Tank destroyer
Place of origin	Japan
Service history
In service	1960-2008
Used by	Japan
Production history
Designer	Komatsu
Designed	1956-1960
Manufacturer	Komatsu
Produced	1960–77
No. built	252
Specifications
Mass	8,000 kilograms (18,000 lb)
Length	4.3 m (14 ft 1 in)
Width	2.23 m (7 ft 4 in)
Height	1.38 m (4 ft 6 in)
Crew	3
Calibre	105 mm (4.1 in)
Elevation	-20° to +15°
Traverse	60°
Muzzle velocity	500 m/s
Effective firing range	2,750 m (3,010 yd)
Maximum firing range	7,700 m (8,400 yd)
Armour	12 mm (0.5 in) steel
Main armament	2 × M40 recoilless rifles
Secondary armament	1 × .50 caliber spotting rifle
Engine	Komatsu 6T 120-2 air-cooled, 6-cylinder diesel 150 hp (110 kW)
Power/weight	15 hp/tonne
Transmission	manual (4 forward and 1 reverse gears)
Suspension	torsion bar
Ground clearance	0.35 m (14 in)
Fuel capacity	140 L (37 U.S. gal)
Operational range	250 km (160 mi) (road)
Speed	55 km/h (34 mph)

The Type 60 Self-propelled 106 mm Recoilless Gun (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

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

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.

Similar vehicles

• M50 Ontos

References

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

External links

• Type 60 on OnWar.com