The Japanese-produced Type 90 Main Battle Tank is in service with the Japanese Self-Defense Force and features the German-designed Rheinmetall 120mm smooth-bore main gun (produced in Japan by Japan Steel Works under license) and a computerized Fire-Control System (FCS) by Mitsubishi Electric. Full-NBC protection is afforded to the crew with passive night vision equipment as well. Production of the system spanned from 1989 to 2009 to which 341 examples were completed in all.
The Type 90 MBT utilizes a conventional layout and arrangement with the engine in a rear compartment, the turret at center and the driver in the hull-front. Unlike other "Western" MBTs, the Type 90 utilizes only a crew of three (as opposed to four) made up of the driver, commander and gunner. Projectile-loading duties are then handled by an automated loading system - this arrangement more similar to Soviet-Russian designs. The Type 90 has full hunter-killer appropriations that allow for the tank to fire on-the-move with accuracy. Beyond the 120mm main gun is a 7.62mm Type 74 coaxial machine gun and a 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun for aircraft defense. Smoke grenade dischargers allow the vehicle to disperse its own smoke screen to cover maneuvers - either offensive or defense in nature.
Power is supplied from a Mitsubishi 10ZG 10-cylinder diesel-fueled engine developing 1,500 horsepower at 2,400rpm. The Type 90 maintains a maximum road speed of 70kmh with an operational range out to 350 kilometers on internal fuel.
Overall, the rather expensive Type 90 MBT is generally viewed as on par with other main battle tanks of this class 50-ton class. The chassis supports several other battlefield guises including an engineering vehicle with dozer blade, a bridgelayer with scissors-type blade and Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV) variant with powered winch system.
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Type 90 (Kyu-maru) Main Battle Tank (MBT).
1 x Mitsubishi 10ZG 10-cylinder water-cooled, 2-stroke, diesel-fueled engine developing 1,500 horsepower at 2,400rpm driving conventional track-and-wheel arrangement. Installed Power
43 mph 70 kph Road Speed
249 miles 400 km Range
Structure The physical qualities of the Type 90 (Kyu-maru) Main Battle Tank (MBT).
3 (MANNED) Crew
32.0 ft 9.75 meters O/A Length
11.3 ft 3.43 meters O/A Width
7.7 ft 2.34 meters O/A Height
110,231 lb 50,000 kg | 55.1 tons Weight
Armament & Ammunition Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Type 90 (Kyu-maru) Main Battle Tank (MBT).
1 x 120mm main gun in turret.
1 x 7.62mm co-axial machine gun in turret.
1 x 12.7mm Anti-Aircraft (AA) Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) on turret roof.
6 x Smoke Grenade Dischargers on turret.
AMMUNITION: 35 x 120mm projectiles.
2,000 x 7.62mm ammunition.
1,500 x 12.7mm ammunition.
6 x smoke grenades.
Variants Notable series variants as part of the Type 90 (Kyu-maru) family line.
Type 90 MBT ("Kyu-maru") - Base combat production tank.
Type 90 ARV - Armored Recovery Vehicle conversion variant.
Type 91 AVLB - Bridgelayer conversion variant.
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Type 90 (Kyu-maru). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.
Total Production: 341 Units Contractor(s): Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Tokyo - Japan
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