Type 75 130 mm Multiple Rocket Launcher

Type 75 130 mm Multiple Rocket Launcher

A Type 75 at the Sinbudai Old Weapon Museum, Camp Asaka, Japan
Type Multiple Rocket Launcher
Place of origin Japan
Service history
In service 1975–2005?
Used by  Japan
Production history
Designer Komatsu
Designed 1973-75
Manufacturer Komatsu
Produced 1975–85
Number built 66
Variants Type 75 wind measurement vehicle
Specifications
Weight 16.5 metric tons (16.2 long tons)
Length 5.8 meters (19 ft 0 in)
Width 2.8 meters (9 ft 2 in)
Height 2.67 meters (8 ft 9 in)
Crew 3

Shell weight 43 kilograms (95 lb)
Caliber 131.5 millimeters (5.18 in)
Barrels 30
Elevation 0° to +50°
Traverse 100°
Effective range 15,000 meters (16,404 yd)

Armor aluminum
Main
armament
130  mm rockets
Secondary
armament
1x .50 caliber M2 machine gun
Engine Mitsubishi 4ZF diesel
300 horsepower (224 kW)
Suspension torsion bar
Ground clearance 40 centimetres (1 ft 4 in)
Operational
range
300 kilometres (186 mi)
Speed 53 kilometres per hour (33 mph)

The Type 75 130 mm Multiple Rocket Launcher (75式130mm自走多連装ロケット弾発射機 nana-go-shiki-130mm-jisou-ta-rensou-Rocket-dan-hassya-ki?) was developed to carry the 130 mm rocket system developed by the Aerospace Division of the Nissan Motor Company. It used the suspension, tracks and diesel engine of the Type 73 Armored Personnel Carrier. Komatsu was responsible for the chassis and IHI Aerospace, as Nissan's Aerospace Division has since been renamed, for the launcher and its rockets. 15 Type 75 wind measurement vehicles were built on the same chassis to provide weather information for the rockets.

As of 2001 Japan reported to the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs that 61 Type 75s were in service[1] as well as 13 wind measurement vehicles. It is being gradually replaced by American designed license-built 227 mm M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System. According to Jane's only about 20 are left in service as of 2008.

The rockets are fin-stabilized. They can be fired individually or in a 12 second ripple.

Notes

References

External links