Combat vehicles / Fire support vehicles / Type 60

Type 60

General Facts

  • TYPE
    Tank destroyer

  • ORIGIN
    Japan

  • NICKNAMES
    -

  • DESIGNED
    1956 - 1960

  • DESIGNER
    Komatsu

  • PRODUCTION
    1960 - 1977

  • PRODUCERS
    Japan - Komatsu

  • QUANTITY
    252 built, production complete.

  • UNIT COST
    Unknown

  • CHARACTERISTICS
    Low profile
    Limited production cost
    Fire support capability
    Limited range and accuracy
    Crew exposed during reloading

Introduction

The Type 60 is a tank destroyer of Japanese origin. It is an unusual vehicle and the last dedicated tank destroyer in use that was built around recoilless rifles.

Layout

The Type 60 has an unusual design. The two recoilless rifles and commander's compartment in the middle can be raised, providing a better elevation, traverse and firing height. The driver is seated on the left and the loader on the right of the weapons compartment. The engine is mounted at the rear and the drive train at the front.

Firepower

Armament consists of two 106mm M40 recoilless rifles, designated Type 60 in Japan. The effective range is 1.1 km versus vehicles, with a slant range up to 7 km. A 12.7mm ranging machine gun is used to improve targeting.

Protection

The steel armor protects the crew from small arms fire and shell splinters. No NBC system or smoke grenade launchers are fitted. When reloading the weapons the loader must exit the vehicle and reload the weapons from the outside.

Mobility

The tracked chassis provides a reasonable all terrain capability. The maximum speed and power to weight ratio are rather limited. A Komatsu 120 hp diesel engine provides propulsion.

Users

As with most Japanese weapon systems developed after World War 2 the Type 60 was not exported. The sole user of the Type 60 was Japan. It was gradually replaced by guided anti-tank missiles until in the late 2000's it was out of service.

Variants

Type 60

The Type 60 is a tank destroyer that was built around two 106mm M40 recoilless rifles. The vehicle was purpose built and was not derived from another type of vehicle. It came in three production batches. The second batch had a strengthened chassis and the third was fitted with a more powerful engine.

TypeTank destroyer
Crew3 (commander, driver, loader)
Length4.3 m
Width2.23 m
Height1.59 m
Ground clearance0.35 m
Weight7.6 t unloaded, 8.0 t combat load
Ground pressure0.67 kg/cm2
WheelbaseTracks with 5 roadwheels, drive sprocked front, idler rear
Turn radius?
EngineKomatsu 6T 120-2, 6 cylinder diesel, 120 hp at 2.400 rpm
Power ratio15.0 hp/t
TransmissionManual, 4 forward, 1 reverse
Speed45 km/h
Fuel140 L
Range250 km
Wall0.6 m
Trench1.8 m
Gradient60 % gradient, 30 % slope
Fording0.7 m
ArmorSteel, up to 12 mm
NBC equipmentNo
Night visionNo
SmokeNo
Remarks-
Armament106mm Type 60 recoilless rifle (2x)
Weapon1106mm Type 60 recoilless rifle (2x)
twin mount in middle of vehicle
8 rounds, 2 ready to fire
10 degrees left and right traverse when lowered, 30 degrees left and right when raised
-5 to +10 degrees elevation when lowered, -20 to + 15 degrees when raised
non-stabilized
Weapon2-
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-

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