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

Origin
Japan
Type
Tank destroyer
Service life
1960 - 2008
Status
Out of service
Development
1956 - 1960
Developer
Japan - Komatsu
Production
1960 - 1977
Producer
Japan - Komatsu
Number produced
252 built, production complete
Designations
60式自走無反動砲
106SP (service abbreviation)
Notable users
Japan

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


Details


Facts Type 60
General
Origin
Japan
Type
Tank destroyer
Crew
3 (commander, driver, loader)
Dimensions
Weight
8.0 t combat load
7.6 t unloaded
Length
4.3 m
Width
2.23 m
Height
1.59 m
Main armament
Type
2x 106mm M40 recoilless rifle
Mount
Raiseable twin mount
Ammunition
8 rounds, 2 ready to fire
Elevation
-5° to +10° with mount lowered
-20° to +15° with mount raised
Traverse
10° left to 10° right with mount lowered
30° left to 30° right with mount raised
Stabilizer
No
Chassis
Chassis type
Tracks with 5 roadwheels
Layout
Drive sprocket front, idler rear
Ground pressure
0.67 kg/cm²
Suspension
Torsion bar
Automotive
Engine model
Komatsu 6T 120-2 (batch 1 and 2)
Komatsu SA4D105 (batch 3)
Engine type
6-cylinder air-cooled diesel (batch 1 and 2)
4-cylinder air-cooled turbo diesel (batch 3)
Power output
120 hp at 2.400 rpm (batch 1 and 2)
150 hp (batch 3)
Transmission
Manual, 4 forward, 1 reverse
Fuel
140 L
Mobility
Speed
45 km/h
Range
140 km (batch 1 and 2)
250 km (batch 3)
Power to weight ratio
15.0 hp/t (batch 1 and 2)
18.7 hp/t (batch 3)
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.35 m
Wall
0.6 m
Trench
1.8 m
Gradient
60 %
Slope
30 %
Fording
0.7 m
Protection
Armor type
Steel
Armor thickness
Up to 12 mm
NBC system
No
Smoke system
No
Equipment
Night vision
No
Fire control
12.7mm ranging rifle

Related articles


106mm M40

The Type 60 is armed with two M40 recoilless rifles.

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.