Type 96
96式装輪装甲車
Overview
Type 96
Right side view of Type 96 with crew firing the 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun.
Source: Japanese internet -
© copyright lies with original owner
Cougar (official nickname)
96WAPC (official abbreviation)
Description
Introduction
The Type 96 is a modern armored personnel carrier of Japanese origin. It was designed to supplement and partially replace the fleet of tracked APCs in Japanese service. The Type 96 features design elements from the Type 82 and Type 87 6x6 armored reconnaissance vehicles.
Design
The Type 96 has a classic wheeled APC layout. The driver and commander are seated in tandem on the right of the engine. The troop compartment makes up the rear of the vehicle. It seats 8 soldiers and can be accessed through the roof hatches and rear ramp.
Firepower
The Type 96 is armed with either a 40mm Type 96 automatic grenade launcher or 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun. Either weapon is mounted on the commander's cupola and can be fired under full armor protection.
Protection
The steel hull provides protection against small arms fire and shell splinters. It is possible that the Type 96 may resist heavy machine gun fire over the frontal arc. Equipment includes a laser warning device, NBC system and two banks of four smoke grenade launchers.
Mobility
The 8x8 chassis provides very good mobility on roads and good mobility in all but the most difficult terrain. Steering is over the four forward wheels and a central tire pressure system is fitted. The 360hp Mitsubishi diesel engine provides a maximum road speed of 100 km/h.
Users
Like all Japanese military production the Type 96 is only used by Japan and is not available for export. The Type 96 was adopted in 1996, but series production commenced after 2001. A total of 500 vehicles was planned to be acquired. A total of 381 were produced by 2016.
Variants
Type 96
Forward view of Type 96 armed with 40mm Type 96 automatic grenade launcher.
Source: Japanese internet -
© copyright lies with original owner
Variants of the Type 96
The Type 96 is a conventional 8x8 armored personnel carrier. It can be distinguished from foreign models by the large flat vertical sides. Unlike foreign 8x8 APC designs the Type 96 doesn't have a large number of variants. The models that do exist feature only minor differences.
Details
Armament options
Howa Type 96
Automatic grenade launcher firing the 40x53mm NATO high velocity grenade. Used on the Type A variant of the Type 96.
Browning M2HB
12.7mm heavy machine gun used on the Type B variant of the Type 96.
Media
Type 96
Left side view of Type 96 with armored wind screens for the driver.
Source: Japanese internet
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Type 96
A number of Type 96 on the move.
Source: Japanese internet
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Type 96
Rear view of Type 96 with ramp lowered.
Source: Los688
Copyright: public domain
Type 96
Forward view of Type 96 on the move.
Source: Tennen-Gas
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
Type 96
Rear view of Type 96 on the move.
Source: Tennen-Gas
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
Type 96
Left side view of Type 96 armed with 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun.
Source: Los688
Copyright: public domain
Type 96
Infantry disembarking from the Type 96.
Source: Los688
Copyright: public domain
Type 96
Forward view of Type 96 travelling on dirt road.
Source: Japanese internet
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Type 96
Right side view of Type 96.
Source: Los688
Copyright: public domain
Type 96
Forward view of Type 96 in the field.
Source: Japanese internet
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
SU 60
The Type 96 replaced the few remaining SU 60 armored personnel carriers in Japanese service.
Type 73
The Type 96 replaced a significant number of tracked Type 73 armored personnel carriers in Japanese service.
Type 82
The Type 96 NBC reconnaissance variant supplements the chemical reconnaissance variant based on the Type 82 6x6 command post vehicle.