Mitsubishi Type 11 ARV

     The Type 11 is an ARV designed specifically to service and recover the Type 10 tank.  Development began at about the same time as the Type 10, and service in the JGSDF began in 2011, shortly after the Type 11 completed field trials in early 2011. Type 11 production is proceeding concurrently with the Type 10, though of course as a much lesser rate.

     As the Type 11 is designed specifically to support the Type 10 tank, which is smaller and lighter than the Type 90, it is smaller than the Type 90 ARV and somewhat less capable.  However, it can still recover Type 74 tanks or vehicles of about that weight, which are still being used in small numbers by the JGSDF. In addition, the tool set is largely designed for work on the Type 10, though it consists of the usual selection of broad categories of tools, including basic tools, tracked vehicles, heavy ordinance tools, small arms tools, excavating tools, two 20-ton hydraulic jacks, power tools such as and an arc welder and power bolt/screwdriver, and electrical and electronics repair kits. It also has some special items, such as a pared-down OS and software repair programs on a high-capacity flash drive to conduct computerized systems repair. The Type 11 has a portable 1 kW battery, used to provide power to dead electrical or electronic systems. Like all ARVs, the Type 11 carries a decent selection of repair parts, though with the accent on those needed to repair a Type 10. Two tow bars and several lengths of cable and rope round out the tool set.  A 12kW APU is provided to run the power tools and an air compressor when needed,

     The Type 11 has a crane with a 25-ton capability.  This crane is mounted on the front right side, and can turn though 200 degrees.  On the front of the Type 11 is a 1x9-meter blade that is normally used to anchor the vehicle during winching or crane operations, but can also be used to dig fighting positions for vehicles or plow through berms.  The main winch has a capacity of 50 tons and 100 meters of cable; the lead winch has a capacity of 4 tons and has 150 meters of cable.  The Type 11 is equipped with a 12 kW APU, normally used to power the power tools and the air compressor.  It can, however, power the crane and the winches (but not both at the same time).

     The front of the vehicle has, on the left side, a bank of six smoke grenade launchers.  Above this is the driver’s position and on the other side of the Type 11 is a hatchway (with the hatch pivoting open instead of opening upwards) and a manually-rotating cupola.  The commander has all-around vision as well as one vision block below the gun mount with night vision capability. The commander may aim and fire his weapon from under armor with the hatches closed. At the center of the superstructure is a position for the crane operator.  He can also operate the plow and the winches using four CCD cameras at the corners of the vehicle. (Normally, however, the driver operates the plow.) A fourth crewmember is another mechanic.

     The Type 11 ARV is connected to an BMS and has a small computer that carries tech manuals for all Japanese vehicles as well as the BMS software.  Two LCD screens at the commander’s position allow the crew to monitor the BMS and vehicle state information; the driver has an LCD screen to monitor the vehicle's health, and the commander has a duplicate of the BMS screens. Conventional maps are also carried, as well as a small computer and typed notes that summarize recovery and repair information and solutions.  The Type 11 is equipped with an NBC Overpressure system and an air conditioner with NBC filters.

     The Type 11 has an armor suite based on, though not equal to, the Type 10’s armor.  The engine is the same as the Type 10, a Cummins V8 diesel with an output of 1200 horsepower.  This is coupled to the same type of Continuously Variable Transmission as on the Type 10, and this allows the Type 11 excellent cross-country mobility as well giving it the ability to travel at full speed in reverse.  The suspension can also be locked to augment the plow in anchoring the Type 11.

     Note that the Armor and Fuel Cap figures for the Type 11 listed here are provisional, as I have not yet done stats for the Type 10 tank, and the figures may change when I do.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$1,252,781

D, A

5.66 tons

44.4 tons

4

31

Image Intensification (D, C)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

182/127

51/35

895

446

Stnd

T6

HF90Cp  HS24Sp  HR12

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

M2HB (C)

1500x.50

*The plow gives the front of the vehicle 8Sp; this of course depends on how high the plow is raised.  In normally traveling configuration, the plow is carried horizontally straight out about one-third up the front of the Type 11. As any hit from the front with the plow in traveling configuration would hit the plow edge on, there is only a 5% chance of hitting the plow if the Type 11 has its plow in the traveling configuration.

 

Mitsubishi Type 67 AVLB

     Notes:  This is a Japanese armored vehicle-launched bridge mounted on a Type 61 main battle tank chassis. Like the rest of Japan's military designs, the Type 67 was not exported and production was limited to 16 vehicles. Despite the Type 67’s bridge being unable to support some of the heavier vehicles being produced today, the Type 67 AVLB remains in service to work with lighter vehicles, serving as adjunct to later designs.

     The bridge is short, 12 meters long and able to span a gap of 10 meters, with a maximum load of 40 tons.  The bridge width is 3.5 meters, while the trackways are some 980 centimeters apart. The bridge weighs 7 tons. The trackway is sheathed in rubber to give vehicles a better grip. The bridge may be laid in 3 minutes and recovered in 5 minutes; it may be laid over the front of the Type 67, but may be picked up and restowed from either end of the vehicle.  The driver is in the front right of the hull, with the other two crewmembers in the center.  The commander is forward in the hull, while the bridgelayer crewmember is more towards the center of the vehicle. The commander's machinegun can be mounted while carrying the bridge, but with the bridge present, shots to the front of the Type 67 are all but impossible.

     The hull is for the most part identical to the hull of its parent Type 61 tank, with Mitsubishi Type 12 HM 21 WT diesel engine developing 650 horsepower.  The transmission is manual.

     There is a small book locker which has manuals for repair and recovery operations; this was replaced with a laptop computer in the early 1990s.  In the late 1970s, the radios were augmented with early versions of US-designed Vinson encryption modules, and improved versions replaced them over the years.  In the mid-1990s, the radios were replaced with FH radios, and the vehicle was given an MLU. In the early 2000s, the Type 67 AVLB was equipped with a BMS.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

Type 67 (Base Vehicle)

$472,124

D, A

481 kg

35 tons

3

16

Active/Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Secure Radio Upgrade

$472,278

D, A

481 kg

35 tons

3

16

Active/Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Computer Upgrade

$497,017

D, A

481 kg

35 tons

3

17

Active/Passive IR (D)

Shielded

MLU

$306,795

D, A

481 kg

35 tons

3

17

Active/Passive IR (D)

Shielded

BMS Upgrade

$553,945

D, A

481 kg

35 tons

3

18

Active/Passive IR (D)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config*

Susp

Armor

Type 67

146/102

41/29

875

241

CiH

T6

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF51  HS12  HR8

MLU

149/105

42/29

875

194

CiH

T6

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF51  HS12  HR8

BMS Upgrade

149/103

42/29

875

194

CiH

T6

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF51  HS12  HR8

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

Type 67

None

None

Type 67 (C)

2000x7.62mm

*The Crew-in-Hull designation is meant to represent the bridge and its machinery when the bridge is mounted on the Type 67.  The turret AV also refers to the bridge and its machinery.  If the bridge is not on the vehicle, the Config is Stnd, and the turret AV does not apply.

 

Mitsubishi Type 67 AEV

     Notes: The accent on the Type 67's abilities is the removal and clearance of battlefield obstructions.  Though Komatsu offered an AEV based on the then-retiring M-4 Sherman, the JGSDF held off until it was presented with a better vehicle based on the Type 61 tank.  The Type 67 AEV has a main winch with a capacity 35 tons, or 70 tons with block and tackle, and with 60 meters of cable.  An auxiliary winch has a capacity of 3 tons, or 6 tons with block and tackle with 100 meters of cable. The Type 61 has long since been retired, but the Type 67 AEV is still in use. Hull layout of the Type 67 AEV and that of the Type 70 ARV are roughly similar; the Type 67 AEV was essentially used as a template for the Type 70 ARV. 

    The Type 67 AEV has a raised superstructure instead of a turret.  The Type 67 has a front-mounted mine plow/dozer blade which is controlled by the driver. The Type 67 AEV has an A-frame crane with a capacity of 18 tons, which can lift such a weight to a height of 6 meters, and which folds up to the rear deck when not in use.  The vehicle has a 5kW APU and an air compressor, primarily to power the large amount of power tools it carries, including a welding and cutting set, two sizes of chainsaws, rotary saws, jaws of like, and other power tools.  The Type 67 AEV also has two sets of pioneer tools, three sizes of crowbars, and tow shackles, cables, rope, and a towbar, allowing the Type 67 AEV to pull out large stumps or lumps of concrete or operate as an ad hoc recovery vehicle.

     Inside are positions for the driver and commander, with the driver on the left front deck and the commander on the center front deck. Inside the hull behind the driver and commander are two other combat engineers.  Most of the power tools are also contained inside (though some of the larger power tools are in lockers on the outside of the hull).  Outside, the Type 67 AEV has four clusters of five smoke grenade launchers, one on each bumper and one on each side of the vehicle near the center.

     There is a small book locker which has manuals for AEV and demolitions operations; this was replaced with a laptop computer in the early 1990s.  In the late 1970s, the radios were augmented with early versions of US-designed Vinson modules, and improved versions replaced them over the years.  In the mid-1990s, the radios were replaced with FH radios. In the early 2000s, the Type 67 AEV was equipped with a BMS.

     The APU is on the right rear of the hull; the compressor is on the left rear of the hull.  A set of slave cables are provided to allow vehicles with dead batteries to be started from the AEV or its APU.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

Type 67 AEV (Basic Vehicle)

$437,792

D, A

728 kg

35 tons

4

19

Active/Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Secure Radio Upgrade

$437,817

D, A

728 kg

35 tons

4

19

Active/Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Computer Upgrade

$257,352

D, A

728 kg

35 tons

4

19

Active/Passive IR (D)

Shielded

MLU

$398,896

D, A

728 kg

35 tons

4

20

Active/Passive IR (D)

Shielded

BMS Upgrade

$912,699

D, A

728 kg

35 tons

4

21

Active/Passive IR (D)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

Type 67 AEV (Basic Vehicle)

144/101

40/28

875

241

Stnd

T6

HF51  HS12  HR8

MLU

147/103

41/29

875

194

Stnd

T6

HF51  HS12  HR8

BMS Upgrade

147/103

41/29

875

194

Stnd

T6

HF51  HS12  HR8

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

Type 67 AEV

None

None

Type 67 (C)

2000x7.62mm, Engineer Demo Chest, 20 kg C4, 200m Primercord

*The front dozer blade can help protect the Type 67 AEV, depending on where the shot hits and how high the blade is raised.  The blade has an AV of 8Sp, and can protect one third of the front as a time, depending what it is raised to.

 

Mitsubishi Type 70 ARV

     Notes:  This Japanese recovery vehicle is based on the chassis of the Type 61 main battle tank. As with many other older Japanese vehicles, the Type 70 has been retained to service smaller or lighter vehicles; it is not used to service newer tanks.

     As with most such vehicles, the turret of the Type 61 has been replaced with a raised superstructure; there is also an area on the flat rear deck which may carry the powerpack of the Type 61 or smaller vehicles.  Atop the superstructure is an A-frame crane with a capacity of 18 tons.  The Type 70 has a main winch with a capacity 35 tons, or 70 tons with block and tackle, and with 60 meters of cable.  An auxiliary winch has a capacity of 3 tons, or 6 tons with block and tackle.

     The tool kit on the Type 70 includes a tow bar, basic, tracked vehicle, heavy ordinance, and excavating tools, an air compressor, and an arc welder, and tools like a pneumatic wrench/screwdriver.  The vehicle has a 5kW APU. Inside, there is storage for tech manuals of various sorts of Japanese vehicles; these were later replaced with a laptop computer. In the late 1970s, the radios were augmented with early versions of US-designed Vinson modules, and improved versions replaced them over the years.  In the mid-1990s, the radios were replaced with FH radios and the Type 70 given an MLU. In the early 2000s, the Type 70 ARV was equipped with a BMS.

     Generally when replacing a powerpack or lifting a large load, a dozer blade at the front is lowered to increase stability. 

     The Type 70 is armed with an 81mm mortar (primarily used for launching ILLUM and Smoke rounds, (though other rounds can certainly be fired), a commander’s heavy machinegun, and a light machinegun on a pintle manned by one of the mechanics through an open hatch.  It also has four clusters of five smoke grenade launchers.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

Type 70 ARV (Basic Vehicle)

$379,880

D, A

4.25 tons

35 tons

4

21

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Secure Radio Upgrade

$379,898

D, A

4.25 tons

35 tons

4

21

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Computer Upgrade

$419,744

D, A

4.25 tons

35 tons

4

21

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

MLU

$408,590

D, A

4.25 tons

35 tons

4

22

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

BMS Upgrade

$799,370

D, A

4.25 tons

35 tons

4

23

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

Type 70 ARV (Basic Vehicle)

147/103

41/29

875

241

Stnd

T6

HF51  HS12  HR8

MLU

147/103

41/29

875

194

Stnd

T6

HF51  HS12  HR8

BMS Upgrade

147/103

41/29

875

194

Stnd

T6

HF51  HS12  HR8

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

Type 70 ARV

None

None

81mm M-2 Mortar, M-2HB (C), Type 67 (M)

27x81mm, 600x.50, 1000x7.62mm

*The front dozer blade can help protect the Type 70, depending on where the shot hits and how high the blade is raised.  The blade has an AV of 8Sp, and can protect one third of the front at a time, depending what it is raised to.

 

Komatsu Type 75 ACE

     Notes:  This is a Japanese Armored Combat Earthmover (ACE) that entered development in 1964 and service in 1975.  It replaced the D9 non-armored combat earthmovers that the Japanese were using until that point. It is still in service today. It is, however, based on the D6 and not the D9.

     The dozer blade is to the rear, and the vehicle is driven backwards for earthmoving operations, He sits in a turning seat which also may be raised and lowered, with driving and dozer controls to the front and rear of him. In the front of the driver is an armored window with an aluminum armored shutter; to the rear is another armored window with an armored shutter. The crew enters through a door on the right side of the hull or by two hatches on the roof of the crew compartment in front.  The driver is on the left, and the commander on the right.  The driver also has wide-angle vision blocks to the front and rear, for use when the armored shutters are closed.

     The commander can also step up on a platform in the cab, guiding his driver through an intercom link. The commander has the same armored windshield and shutter as the driver, but has no windshield to the rear; he has one wide-angle vision block to the front for when the armored shutter is closed. The engine and radiator are at the rear of the vehicle; they are protected by appliqué armor and the rear is better protected than most light armored vehicles. The engine is a Mitsubishi diesel developing 345 horsepower.  It is capable of working in a fuel-saving 160 horsepower, high-torque mode, normally when working with the dozer blade.  The suspension is by torsion bar, with shock absorbers on the front, second, and rear roadwheels. A self-recovery winch is mounted at the front.

     The dozer blade is full-width (3.45 meters) and is hinged in the middle so it can be used as a mine plow. (Normally, the plow is in a wide V-shape, with the V forward or backward as needed..)  When traveling it is pulled up and in against the rear end. The Type 75 also has a winch with a capacity of 35 tons, or 70 tons with block and tackle; note, however, that block and tackle equipment is not normally carried by the Type 75. However, three sets of pioneer tools are carried, as well as a power saw and chainsaw; there are numerous lockers and bins for more equipment. The Type 75 is not normally armed, and no provision for a weapon is provided.  The base Type 75 has secure radios, as detailed in entries above. A laptop computer was added in the early 1990s.  In the mid-1990s, the radios were replaced with FH radios. At this time, the Type 75 was also given an MLU; this had no appreciable increase in performance, however. In the early 2000s, the Type 75 ACE was equipped with a BMS.

     The Type 75 ACE had a fair-to-middlin amount of modular armor plate, but this is normally removed except for the most realistic training exercises.  It was mounted on the two Type 75s deployed to Afghanistan early in Enduring Freedom.

     The Tr Mov stats below reflect a Type 75 using the full 345 horsepower.  The Com Mov has a set of stats for 345 and 160 horsepower mode.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

Type 75 ARV (Basic Vehicle)

$57,334

D, A

1.62 tons

19.2 tons

2

15

Headlights

Shielded

Computer Upgrade

$123,541

D, A

1.62 tons

19.2 tons

2

16

Headlights

Shielded

BMS

$417,601

D, A

1.62 tons

19.2 tons

2

17

Headlights

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

Type 75 ARV (Basic Vehicle)

143/100

40/28 (25/17)

595

102 (46)

Stnd

T3

HF7  HS7  HR7

Computer Upgrade

143/100

40/28 (25/17)

595

101 (45)

Stnd

T3

HF7  HS7  HR7

BMS

143/100

40/28 (25/17)

595

101 (45)

Stnd

T3

HF7  HS7  HR7

*The ACE’s blade can protect the front of the vehicle, depending on where the shot hits and how high the blade is raised. The blade has an AV of 10Sp, and can protect one half of the front as a time, depending what it is raised to. Normal travelling configuration is raised just enough to not block the driver’s vision.

 

Mitsubishi Type 78 ARV

     Notes:  This is an Armored Recovery Vehicle based on the Type 74 main battle tank chassis.  It is more up-to-date than the Type 67 ARV. That said, the Type 78, has much the same equipment as the Type 67, if in an updated form. The Type 78 was designed as a recovery vehicle primarily for the Type 61 and Type 74 tanks and is being used as an interim solution for the recovery of the Type 90 and Type 10 tanks. The JGSDF had 50 Type 78s in service in 1999, but some have been retired or raided for spare parts, as while the Type 78 is currently being kept in service, the parts for them are no longer being made.

     In place of a turret, the Type 78 has a raised superstructure offset to the right. with a crane on the right able to lift 20 tons, easily able to lift the turret of any vehicle in Japanese service.  The crane may be traversed through 270 degrees, and has a reach of five meters. The Type 78 has a winch with capacity of 38 tons (or 76 tons with block and tackle), and 60 meters of cable.  The winch has high-speed (15 meters/minute) and low-speed (6 meters/minute) modes. The winches (both of them) have tension devices which make sure that the cables wind and unwind on the drum evenly. An auxiliary winch has capacity of 3.26 tons. or 6.52 tons with block and tackle; it is normally used as a lead winch for the main winch.

     The vehicle carries a wide variety of recovery and repair tools, including a tow bar, basic, tracked vehicle, heavy ordinance, and excavating tools, an arc welder, a power nut/bolt/screwdriver, two 20-ton hydraulic jacks, and an air compressor; A 5kW APU is mounted inside the rear right.; this is normally used for the power tools, but is also able to power the winches (but not the crane). A selection of spare parts is also carried, and items such as transmission fluid and lubrication oils and grease. There is a dozer blade at the front of the vehicle for bracing and earthmoving; in addition the suspension can be locked to further brace the vehicle.

     The Type 78 is powered by a Mitsubishi 10 ZF 720-horsepower turbocharged diesel, with an automatic transmission. 

     The commander is armed with a heavy machinegun, though only a limited supply of ammunition is carried as basic load and the weapon, as on virtually all such vehicles, is defensive in nature. His position is on the front center of the roof.  The driver is on the front left; the commander is directly to his right. The other crewmembers have seats in the hull. There is a third hatch on the roof with an adjustable stand to allow one of the mechanics to be an equipment operator; it has no vision blocks. On each side of the front of the vehicle, about 800 centimeters below the driver’s and commander’s positions, are long tubes, which are smoke grenade launchers.  There are three on either side of the front, angled slightly to the side.

     A laptop computer was added in the early 1990s.  In the mid-1990s, the radios were replaced with FH radios, and the vehicle was given an MLU. In the early 2000s, the Type 78 was equipped with a BMS.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

Type 78 (Base Vehicle)

$235,512

D, A

5.07 tons

38 tons

4

29

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

Computer Upgrade

$271,512

D, A

5.07 tons

38 tons

4

30

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

MLU

$217,512

D, A

5.07 tons

38 tons

4

30

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

BMS Upgrade

$711,612

D, A

5.07 tons

38 tons

4

31

Passive IR (D)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

Type 78 (Base Vehicle)

149/104

41/29

950

267

Stnd

T6

HF56  HS14  HR10

MLU/BMS Upgrade

149/104

41/29

950

241

Stnd

T6

HF56  HS14  HR10

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

Type 78 (All)

None

None

M-2HB (C)

660x.50

*The front dozer blade can help protect the Type 78, depending on where the shot hits and how high the blade is raised.  The blade has an AV of 8Sp, and can protect one third of the front at a time, depending what it is raised to.

 

Mitsubishi Type 90 ARV

     Notes:  This is a Japanese recovery vehicle based on the chassis of the Type 90 tank; and designed specifically to service the Type 90 tank and other vehicles, and supplement the Type 78 and Type 67 ARVs.  30 Type 90 ARVs have been delivered to the JGSDF (plus one prototype); production rate was always slow and is now considerably slower, as Mitsubishi has largely fulfilled the JGSDF’s needs. However, spare parts are still being produced for the Type 90.

     Instead of a turret, the Type 90 ARV has a raised superstructure and a crane on the right side with a capacity of 25 tons.  The crane can be controlled from outside the vehicle via a control box connected to the Type 90 with a cable. The crane may be rotated up to 300 degrees, It pivots from the front right side and folds along the right side for travelling. It also has a winch with a capacity of 55 tons (110 tons with block and tackle), and 80 meters of cable.  There is also a lead winch with a capacity of 4.72 tons (double with block and tackle). On the front of the vehicle is a dozer blade that is used to stabilize the vehicle during recovery operations and to clear obstacles and prepare fighting positions; 

     The Type 90 ARV carries a wide variety of tools, including basic, tracked vehicle, heavy ordinance, and excavating tools, two 20-ton hydraulic jacks, and an arc welder and air compressor. These are normally powered by a 12kW APU; this APU is even strong enough to operate either the winches or the crane (but not both at the same time), but normally is used to power the air compressor and the power tools. A tow bar and a selection of spare parts for the Type 90 and a few other commonly-recovered vehicles is also carried.  The driver sits on the front left with the commander and two other crewmembers behind him in the superstructure. There are also seats for extra support personnel or the crew of a disabled vehicle. The hull layout of hatches, bins, and lockers are much the same as the Type 78; these boxes are where most of the tools and some of the spare parts are located. The selection of tools is also much like the Type 78 and 67.

     Commander's and driver's positions are in the front of the nearly-vertical front of the vehicle.  At the rear is a larger hatch for the recovery specialist, who can use the crane and winches from inside or outside the vehicle.  The crane and winches use the same controller whether inside or outside the vehicle, but the mechanic usually clips the controller to a receptacle on the hatch ring to conserve batteries; alternatively, the controller may be put into a clip below the hatch ring and the crane and winches used while the hatch is closed. The mechanics can also enter and exit through this hatch. As using the winches may be difficult from the recovery specialist’s hatch, there are two MFDs under the hatchway, which show the feed from CCD cameras on each corner of the superstructure. When traveling, the crane is folded along the right side of the superstructure; the superstructure is shifted to the left side to allow this. The commander has a cupola above his position, manually-operated and with a pintle-mounted heavy machinegun.  This gun may aimed and fired from inside the vehicle with hatches closed.  The Type 90 has an eight-cell line of smoke grenade launchers in front of the driver, about a meter below, on the forward superstructure.

     The Type 90 has the ability to recover the Type 90 tank or any similar or lighter vehicle; four seats inside are for the recovered vehicle's crew. The Type 90 ARV is equipped with the same engine as the Type 90 tank: Mitsubishi 10ZG turbocharged diesel developing 1500 horsepower, coupled to an automatic transmission; the Type 90 can lock it's suspension as well as pivot turn in place. 

     The Type 90 ARV is connected to an BMS and has a small computer that carries tech manuals for all Japanese vehicles as well as the BMS software.  Two LCD screens at the commander’s position allow the crew to monitor the BMS information; the driver has an LCD screen to monitor the vehicle's health, and the commander has a duplicate of the driver’s screens. The driver and commander also have access on their screens to the four CCD cameras. One at each point of the superstructure. Conventional maps are also carried, as well as a small computer and typed notes that summarize recovery and repair information and solutions.  An air conditioner with NBC filters is installed.  There is a small basic copy of the OS for the electronics and the programs necessary to operate each of the subsystems; this is contained on a small portable hard drive and can usually fix the computer-controlled components of any of the subsystems, or even run one subsystem if necessary.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$1,123,421

D, A

7.31 tons

49.57 tons

4+4

29

Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (C), 4xDay/Night CCD Cameras

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor*

200/140

56/39

1100

557

Stnd

T6

HF100Cp  HS24Sp  HR12

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

M-2HB (C)

1500x.50

*The front dozer blade can help protect the Type 90, depending on where the shot hits and how high the blade is raised.  The blade has an AV of 8Sp, and can protect one third of the front at a time, depending what it is raised to.

 

Mitsubishi Type 91 AVLB

     Notes: The Type 91 AVLB uses a triple-stack bridge, similar to some of the German Leguan designs; it is rumored that the Japanese had support from the Germans for their Type 91’s bridge design.  Like the Leguan triple-stack designs, the bridge sections slide from the top down; they are already attached to each other. The bridge can span a 20-meter gap. They do not deploy upwards in the process of deploying, which is tactically more sound.  Unusually, the Type 91 has a 19kW APU, allowing the bridge to be deployed in a quitter manner using APU power.  The APU is inside the hull in front of the engine, with an exhaust to the right side. The Type 91 has a rear-mounted blade, used to stabilize the vehicle while the bridge is being deployed or recovered.  The bridge is an MLC 70 bridge, able to support any Japanese vehicle, or even heavy vehicles like the American M1 or the British Challenger 2. The Type 91 is able to bridge a 26-meter gap. Though the commander, in the center of the vehicle, is the primary crewmember who operated the bridge, the driver in the front center also has bridge controls and operate the bridge, or the two may coordinate their efforts.  The crewmembers do not have to leave the vehicle to deploy or recover the bridge; indeed, they may be under armor with the hatches closed.  Two CCD cameras assist in this.

     The driver may operate a dozer blade, which is normally used to prepare the banks of the obstacle on the side the vehicle is on.  It is also used as a general brace when deploying or recovering the bridge. Emplacement of the bridge takes about five minutes; recovery of the bridge takes about ten.  The vehicle also carries a double ser of pioneer tools, should these become necessary to prepare the banks of the obstacle. The Type 91 is equipped an NBC Overpressure system as well as air conditioning.  The crew has no mounted weapon, but the commander has a Type 62 machinegun inside his compartment with a relatively large amount of ammunition.

     The Type 91 is equipped with several secure radios of various ranges.  The driver and commander have two MFDs each, to go with the BMS, which also gives the vehicle state and the state of the bridge and deployment machinery. The other two crewmembers also have one MFD each, to keep track of the general situation and the condition of the bridge and deployment machinery The Type 91 is powered by a Mitsubishi 10ZG turbocharged diesel developing 1500 horsepower, coupled to an automatic transmission; The Type 91 can lock its suspension as well as pivot turn in place, as well as use the engine to increase torque when deploying and recovering the bridge.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$1,290,636

D, A

444 kg

38 tons

4

28

Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (C), 2xDay/Night CCD Cameras (Front)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

219/153

61/43

1100

557

Stnd

T6

HF100Cp  HS24Sp  HR12*

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

Type 62 (C)

1500x7.62mm

*The front dozer blade can help protect the Type 91, depending on where the shot hits and how high the blade is raised.  The blade has an AV of 8Sp, and can protect one third of the front at a time, depending what it is raised to.