Summary
The Type 99 155 mm self-propelled howitzer (99式自走155mm榴弾砲, kyuu-kyuu-shiki-jisou-155mm-ryuudan-hou) is a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, which was developed as the successor to the Type 75 155 mm self-propelled howitzer.
| Type 99 155 mm self-propelled howitzer | |
|---|---|
 Type 99 of the JGSDF | |
| Type | Self-propelled artillery |
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1999 |
| Used by | Japan Ground Self-Defense Force |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries/Japan Steel Works |
| Produced | 1999–2022[1] |
| No. built | 117 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 40 tons |
| Width | 3.2 m |
| Crew | 4 |
| Caliber | 155 millimetres (6.1 in) |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Rate of fire | 6 rpm |
| Armor | aluminum alloy |
Main armament | 1x Japan Steel Works, 155 mm/L52 artillery gun |
Secondary armament | 1× 12.7 mm M-2HB machine gun |
| Engine | Mitsubishi 6SY31WA 6-cylinder diesel 600 bhp |
| Suspension | torsion bar |
Operational range | 300 km (185 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 49.6 km/h |
History edit
Research and development for a successor to the Type 75 155 mm self-propelled howitzer started in 1985. The new weapon would have a 155 mm gun barrel 52 calibers long (L52) instead of the 30 calibers (L30) barrel of the Type 75, and would mount the latest fire-control system. Japan Steel Works was the primary contractor, developing and manufacturing the main gun and turret. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was tasked to design the chassis.
The designing stage cost 5 billion yen and was completed in 1992. After various technical and practical tests, the first vehicle was delivered to the training division of Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in 1999.[2]
Characteristics edit
The Type 99 uses a modified chassis from the Mitsubishi Type 89 IFV, lengthened with an additional road wheel. It has a 52 caliber gun barrel. The secondary armament consists of a roof-mounted .50 caliber (12.7 mm) machine gun, fitted with a shield. The armor provides protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. The vehicle is powered by a diesel engine, providing 600 horsepower. A travel lock for the gun is mounted on the front of the hull, which folds back onto the glacis plate when not in use. The howitzer is resupplied from the Type 99 ammunition resupply vehicle.
Operators edit
- Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
- Fuji School
- Fuji School(Combined Training)Brigade
- JGSDF Artillery School Unit
- Ordnance School
- Fuji School(Combined Training)Brigade
Northern Army
2nd Division
- 2nd Artillery Regiment(Mechanized)
5th Brigade
- 5th Artillery Unit
7th Division
- 7th Artillery Regiment(Mechanized)
11th Brigade
- 11th Artillery Unit (Mechanized)
- Northern Army Combined Brigade
- 1st Sergeant Training Unit
- Fuji School
Similar vehicles edit
- AS-90 – British 155 mm self-propelled howitzer
- AHS Krab – Polish 155 mm self-propelled howitzer
- Msta-S 2S19 – Soviet/Russian 152 mm self-propelled howitzer
- Panzerhaubitze 2000 – German 155 mm self-propelled howitzer
- K9 Thunder – South Korean self-propelled 155 mm howitzer
- PLZ-05 – Chinese 155 mm self-propelled howitzer
References edit
