Type 87 Chu-MAT
Encyclopedia
The Chū-MAT is a Japan
ese laser guided anti-tank missile
in service with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces
. It had been created as a front-line replace for the Type 64 MAT
, pressed into service with the Type 79 Jyu-MAT
.
As of 2007, a project had been conducted by the Ministry of Defense Technical Research and Developmental Institute for testing on a new Anti-tank missile platform that would eventually replace the Type 87 in front-line service. As of now, the project's code name is known in the JSDF as the Shin Chu-MAT.
Like the Type 64 MAT
and the Type 79 Jyu-MAT
, it can be mounted onto a Mitsubishi Type 73
jeep or the Komatsu LAV
for anti-armor roles.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese laser guided anti-tank missile
Anti-tank guided missile
An anti-tank missile , anti-tank guided missile , anti-tank guided weapon or anti-armor guided weapon is a guided missile primarily designed to hit and destroy heavily-armored military vehicles....
in service with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces
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...
. It had been created as a front-line replace for the Type 64 MAT
Type 64 MAT
The was a Japanese wire guided anti-tank missile developed during the late 1950s. The missile is a broadly similar to the Swiss/German Cobra and the 9M14 Malyutka...
, pressed into service with the Type 79 Jyu-MAT
Type 79 Jyu-MAT
The is a Japanese SACLOS guided anti-tank missile that entered service with the JGSDF in 1984. It was initially issued to coastal defence units, intended to destroy troop and vehicle landing ships as they approached the shoreline. It is also known as KAM-9....
.
History
Development of the system began in 1976, missile trials were conducted in 1982, with a complete prototype system delivered in 1985. The first units entering service with the JGSDF in 1989. The system consists of a launcher, and laser designator mounted on a heavy tripod.As of 2007, a project had been conducted by the Ministry of Defense Technical Research and Developmental Institute for testing on a new Anti-tank missile platform that would eventually replace the Type 87 in front-line service. As of now, the project's code name is known in the JSDF as the Shin Chu-MAT.
Description
The unit is situated on a tripod unit with the missile launcher and laser designator on it. The designator and launcher can be separated from each other by up to 200 meters, or can be mounted together on the same tripod, although Jane's notes that the exhaust gas from the missile may interrupt the designator laser .Like the Type 64 MAT
Type 64 MAT
The was a Japanese wire guided anti-tank missile developed during the late 1950s. The missile is a broadly similar to the Swiss/German Cobra and the 9M14 Malyutka...
and the Type 79 Jyu-MAT
Type 79 Jyu-MAT
The is a Japanese SACLOS guided anti-tank missile that entered service with the JGSDF in 1984. It was initially issued to coastal defence units, intended to destroy troop and vehicle landing ships as they approached the shoreline. It is also known as KAM-9....
, it can be mounted onto a Mitsubishi Type 73
Mitsubishi Type 73 Light Truck
The is a series of light trucks that are used as mini SUVs in the JSDF. They have been under production by Mitsubishi Motors since 1973. In JSDF service, it is officially known as the 1/2 Ton Truck....
jeep or the Komatsu LAV
Komatsu LAV
The , first produced in 2002, is used exclusively by the Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces, and has seen use in the Iraq War. It is built by Komatsu Ltd...
for anti-armor roles.