Type 60
60式自走無反動砲
Overview
Type 60
Type 60 self-propelled recoilless rifle on the move in 2006, only two years before being removed from service.
Source: EarlyBird -
© Public domain
106SP (service abbreviation)
Description
Introduction
The Type 60 is a tank destroyer of Japanese origin. It is an unusual vehicle and the last dedicated tank destroyer in use that was built around recoilless rifles.
Design
The Type 60 has an unusual design. The two recoilless rifles and commander's compartment in the middle can be raised, providing a better elevation, traverse and firing height. The driver is seated on the left and the loader on the right of the weapons compartment. The engine is mounted at the rear and the drive train at the front. It came in three production batches. The second batch had a strengthened chassis and the third was fitted with a more powerful engine.
Firepower
Armament consists of two 106mm M40 recoilless rifles, designated Type 60 in Japan. The effective range is 1.1 km versus vehicles, with a slant range up to 7 km. A 12.7mm ranging machine gun is used to improve targeting.
Protection
The steel armor protects the crew from small arms fire and shell splinters. No NBC system or smoke grenade launchers are fitted. When reloading the weapons the loader must exit the vehicle and reload the weapons from the outside.
Mobility
The tracked chassis provides a reasonable all terrain capability. The maximum speed and power to weight ratio are rather limited. A Komatsu 120 hp diesel engine provides propulsion.
Users
As with most Japanese weapon systems developed after World War 2 the Type 60 was not exported. The sole user of the Type 60 was Japan. It was gradually replaced by guided anti-tank missiles until in the late 2000's it was out of service.
Media
Type 60
Japanese Type 60 tank destroyer seen moving through the snow during an exercise in 2003.
Source: US Marine Corps
Copyright: Public domain
Type 60
Type 60 self-propelled recoilless rifle on public display in 2017. Note that the gun mount is in lowered position.
Source: Hunini
Copyright: CC BY-SA 4.0
Type 60
Left side view of Type 60 self-propelled recoilless rifle on public display in 2016.
Source: Hunini
Copyright: CC BY-SA 4.0
Type 60
Rear view of Type 60 self-propelled recoilless rifle on public display in 2016. Note that the gun mount is in lowered position.
Source: Hunini
Copyright: CC BY-SA 4.0
Details
Related articles
M50 Ontos
The American M50 Ontos was developed in the same period as the Type 60. The Ontos is armed with six M40 recoilless rifles.