Type 90
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| Length: | 9.8m |
| Width: | 3.4m |
| Height: | 2.3m |
| Weight: | 50t |
| Powerplant: | 1,500 HP |
| Speed: | 70km/h (Road) - (Off-road) |
| Range: | 350km |
| Primary armament: | 120mm smoothbore gun |
| Secondary armament: | M2 12.7mm machinegun Type 74 7.62mm machinegun |
| Crew: | 3 |
The Type 90 is the current MBT (main battle tank) of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF).
It is built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to substitute for all Type 61 and a part of Type 74 tanks.
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History
The project was started in mid 1980's immediately after adoption of Type 74, and aimed to defend against the Soviet T-72. First prototype tank, known as the TK-X MBT, was made in 1982 and tests and improvings repeated until 1989. Japan adopted the tank in 1989 and it was named "Type 90" in 1990.
Armour
The profile of the Type 90 is very similar to the non-upgraded Leopard 2, with a large, low turret with vertical sides and a long, overhanging bustles. But the Type 90 is smaller than other MBTs, therefore its weight is about 50 tons.
It is protected by ceramic composite armor. The front armour is seemed to proof against its 120mm APFSDS round at close range and the side armour is proof against 35mm AP.
Armament
120mm Smoothbore gun
Type 90 carries a license-built copy of the Rheinmetall 120mm smoothbore gun as mounted on the US M1A1/A2 Abrams and the German Leopard 2 series of tanks. It uses APFSDS and HEAT-MP.
Before Rheinmetall's gun was selected, Japan succeeded in making a Japanese domestic 120mm smoothbore gun. It was a little superior to Rheinmetall's gun, but its cost was very high. So Japan decided not to use the domestic gun.
This Gun is combined with fire control system. YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) laser beam range finder, ballistic computers, and a stabilizer enable the Type 90 to conduct precision firing while moving.
M2 12.7mm Machinegun
This is Browning's M2 machine gun made under license in Sumitomo Heavy Industries. It is in front of the Gunner's hatch.
Type 74 7.62mm Machinegun
This is Japanese domestic 7.62mm NATO medium machinegun. It is put left of the Main gun coaxially.
Mobility
Type 90 is powered by 2-stroke V10 1500 hp diesel engine "10ZG32WT" made by Mitsubishi.
Hydropneumatic suspension units are mounted on the first two and last two roadwheels, which can be adjusted to ride on uneven terrain, a must in Japan's mountainous terrain.
External links
- The Type 90 tank by the Federation of American Scientists (http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/type-90.htm)ja:90式戦車