Type 74
Encyclopedia
The is a main battle tank
(MBT) of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
(JGSDF). It was built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
as a replacement for the earlier Type 61
. It was based on the best features of a number of contemporary designs, placing it in the same class as the US M60
or German Leopard 1. Like these designs, it mounts the Royal Ordnance L7
105 mm gun. The design did not enter widespread use until 1980, by which point other western forces were starting the introduction of much more capable designs.
would not be able to defeat the latest Soviet designs like the T-62
. Features from several designs were incorporated, including the controllable suspension of the MBT-70
, the rolled steel hull of the Leopard 1, and the L7 105mm gun
. Features unique to the design included a rotating cupola for the commander, and a new autoloader
for the main gun. The design was finalized in 1964 and various test rigs were built between 1964 and 1967.
The first prototype, designated STB-1, was delivered in late 1968 and underwent a number of modifications until 1969. The autoloader proved too complex and expensive, and was removed, additionally the remote controlled anti-aircraft machine gun was removed. The design of the turret was also changed, becoming longer. These changes resulted in the STB-3, which was delivered in 1971. The final prototype designated STB-6 was delivered in 1973. Production finally started as the Type 74 in September 1975, with 225 being delivered by January 1980. Production ended in 1989, with total production running to 893 examples.
In service, the tanks were updated with the addition of infra-red imagers (not image intensifier
s) for the commander and gunner, and a laser rangefinder in the commander's cupola. The gunner's position included a digital fire control computer, fed range data from the commander's range finder. Rounds for the main gun were upgraded from HEP
to APFSDS and HEAT-MP
.
The Type 74 was generally outdated even before it entered service. The Type 90 was to have replaced it outright, but with the ending of the Cold War
these plans were scaled back. In 1993 four Type 74's were improved to the new Type 74 Kai (改) [Type 74 mod G (G型)] standard, adding a passive infrared camera, side skirts, and so on. The upgrade proved to be extremely expensive, and the program was dropped.
Main battle tank
A main battle tank , also known as a battle tank or universal tank, is a tank that fills the heavy direct fire role of many modern armies. They were originally conceived to replace the light, medium, heavy and super-heavy tanks. Development was spurred onwards in the Cold War with the development...
(MBT) of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
The , or JGSDF, is the army of Japan. The largest of the three services of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the Ground Self-Defense Force operates under the command of the chief of the ground staff, based in the city of Ichigaya, Tokyo. The present chief of ground staff is General Yoshifumi Hibako...
(JGSDF). It was built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
, or MHI, is a Japanese company. It is one of the core companies of Mitsubishi Group.-History:In 1870 Yataro Iwasaki, the founder of Mitsubishi took a lease of Government-owned Nagasaki Shipyard. He named it Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works, and started the shipbuilding business on a full scale...
as a replacement for the earlier Type 61
Type 61
The Type 61 was a main battle tank developed and used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force , built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries....
. It was based on the best features of a number of contemporary designs, placing it in the same class as the US M60
M60 Patton
The 105 mm Gun Full Tracked Combat Tank, M60, also known unofficially as the M60 Patton, is a first-generation main battle tank introduced in December 1960. It was widely used by the U.S. and its Cold War allies, especially those in NATO, and remains in service throughout the world today...
or German Leopard 1. Like these designs, it mounts the Royal Ordnance L7
Royal Ordnance L7
The Royal Ordnance L7 is the basic model of Britain's most successful tank gun. The L7 was a 105 mm L/52 rifled design intended for use in armoured fighting vehicles...
105 mm gun. The design did not enter widespread use until 1980, by which point other western forces were starting the introduction of much more capable designs.
History
The JGSDF started studies on a new tank design with Mitsubishi in 1962, as it was realized that the Type 61Type 61
The Type 61 was a main battle tank developed and used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force , built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries....
would not be able to defeat the latest Soviet designs like the T-62
T-62
The T-62 is a Soviet main battle tank, a further development of the T-55. Its 115 mm gun was the first smoothbore tank gun in use.The T-62 was produced between 1961 and 1975. It became a standard tank in the Soviet arsenal, partly replacing the T-55, although that tank continued to be...
. Features from several designs were incorporated, including the controllable suspension of the MBT-70
MBT-70
The MBT-70 was a 1960s German-U.S. joint project to develop a new main battle tank, which was to be equipped with a number of advanced features. It utilized a newly developed hydropneumatic "kneeling" suspension and housed the entire crew in the large turret...
, the rolled steel hull of the Leopard 1, and the L7 105mm gun
Royal Ordnance L7
The Royal Ordnance L7 is the basic model of Britain's most successful tank gun. The L7 was a 105 mm L/52 rifled design intended for use in armoured fighting vehicles...
. Features unique to the design included a rotating cupola for the commander, and a new autoloader
Autoloader
An autoloader or auto-loader is a mechanical aid or replacement for the personnel that load ordnance into crew-served weapons, such as tanks and artillery...
for the main gun. The design was finalized in 1964 and various test rigs were built between 1964 and 1967.
The first prototype, designated STB-1, was delivered in late 1968 and underwent a number of modifications until 1969. The autoloader proved too complex and expensive, and was removed, additionally the remote controlled anti-aircraft machine gun was removed. The design of the turret was also changed, becoming longer. These changes resulted in the STB-3, which was delivered in 1971. The final prototype designated STB-6 was delivered in 1973. Production finally started as the Type 74 in September 1975, with 225 being delivered by January 1980. Production ended in 1989, with total production running to 893 examples.
In service, the tanks were updated with the addition of infra-red imagers (not image intensifier
Image intensifier
An image intensifier tube is a vacuum tube device for increasing the intensity of available light in an optical system to allow use under low light conditions such as at night, to facilitate visual imaging of low-light processes such as fluorescence of materials to X-rays or gamma rays, or for...
s) for the commander and gunner, and a laser rangefinder in the commander's cupola. The gunner's position included a digital fire control computer, fed range data from the commander's range finder. Rounds for the main gun were upgraded from HEP
High explosive squash head
High explosive squash head is a type of explosive ammunition that is effective against buildings and is also used against tank armour. It was fielded chiefly by the British Army as the main explosive round of its main battle tanks during the Cold War...
to APFSDS and HEAT-MP
Heat
In physics and thermodynamics, heat is energy transferred from one body, region, or thermodynamic system to another due to thermal contact or thermal radiation when the systems are at different temperatures. It is often described as one of the fundamental processes of energy transfer between...
.
The Type 74 was generally outdated even before it entered service. The Type 90 was to have replaced it outright, but with the ending of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
these plans were scaled back. In 1993 four Type 74's were improved to the new Type 74 Kai (改) [Type 74 mod G (G型)] standard, adding a passive infrared camera, side skirts, and so on. The upgrade proved to be extremely expensive, and the program was dropped.
Variants
- Type 74 first mod (74式戦車 初期生産型)
- Type 74 mod B (74式戦車 B型)
- Type 74 mod C (74式戦車 C型)
- Type 74 mod D (74式戦車 D型)
- Type 74 mod E (74式戦車 E型)
- Type 74 mod F (74式戦車 F型)
- Type 74 mod G/Kai (74式戦車 G型/改)
- Type 87 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft GunType 87 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft GunThe is a Japanese air defense weapon built around the Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon system used on the Gepard tank. The system uses a modified Type 74 tank chassis...
(87式自走高射機関砲) - Type 78 Armoured recovery vehicle (78式戦車回収車)
- Type 91 Armoured vehicle-launched bridge (91式戦車橋)