Type 73
73式装甲車
Overview
Type 73
Frontal view of of Japanese Type 73 armored personnel carrier in the field.
Source: Rikujojieitai Boueisho (mod.go.jp) -
© CC BY 4.0
Description
Introduction
The Type 73 is a Cold War era armored personnel carrier of Japanese origin. In the late 1960's there was a design contest involving both Mitsubishi and Komatsu. The former won the contract and the first vehicle entered service in 1973, hence the Type 73 designation.
Design
The Type 73 is a tracked armored personnel carrier and looks somewhat similar to the American M113, which proved successful in the Vietnam war. The internal layout is quite different though. Three crew members are seated side by side at the front. These are from right to left the driver, vehicle commander and bow gunner. The engine and drivetrain are located in the middle on the left hand side. To the right there is a cupola with the main armament. The rear area seats the rest of the troops, which enter the vehicle via two large doors. There are also two large roof hatches.
Firepower
Main armament of the Type 73 is the 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun. This is fitted on the pintle mount on the turret roof. It is manned by one of the 7 troops in the rear compartment. A 7.62mm Type 74 bow machine gun is fitted which can only fire over the frontal arc.
Protection
The aluminum armor provides all around protection against small arms fire and shell splinters. An NBC system is fitted and there are 2x3 smoke grenade dischargers.
Mobility
The tracked chassis gives the Type 73 good all terrain mobility. A 300 hp V4 diesel provides propulsion. The maximum speed is 60 km/h on road. The Type 73 is fully amphibious, but requires extensive preparation and is quite slow when afloat.
Users
The Type 73 was adopted only by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. None were exported as per Japanese regulations. An initial batch of 225 vehicles were ordered to supplement and replace the older SU 60. Later more were ordered. The Type 73 was supplemented by the Type 89 mechanized infantry combat vehicle, which was adopted in relatively small numbers. Most Type 73 are being slowly being replaced by the Type 96 wheeled armored personnel carrier.
Details
Subcomponents
Browning M2HB
The 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun is the main armament of the Type 73.
Browning M1919
Initial production vehicles were produced with .30 M1919A4 bow machine guns.
Sumitomo Type 74
In the mid 1970's the Type 74 was adopted as the bow machine gun of the Type 73.
Media
Type 73
Frontal view of of Japanese Type 73 armored personnel carrier on the move.
Source: Rikujojieitai Boueisho (mod.go.jp)
Copyright: CC BY 4.0
Type 73
Japanese Type 73 armored personnel carrier during a public display in 2005.
Source: EarlyBird
Copyright: Public domain
Type 73
Infantry exiting the Type 73 armored personnel carrier during a public display in 2012.
Source: Los688
Copyright: Public domain
Type 73
A column of Japanese Type 73 armored personnel carriers in the snow in 2013.
Source: Rikujojieitai Boueisho (mod.go.jp)
Copyright: CC BY-SA 3.0
Type 73
Left side view of of Japanese Type 73 armored personnel carrier in the field.
Source: Rikujojieitai Boueisho (mod.go.jp)
Copyright: CC BY 4.0
Type 73
Rear view of a Type 73 armored personnel carrier showing the two rear doors and large roof hatches.
Source: Los688
Copyright: Public domain
Related articles
Type 89
A small number of Type 73 were replaced by the Type 89 mechanized infantry combat vehicle. This is a larger tracked vehicle with much heavier armament.
Type 96
The wheeled Type 96 armored personnel carrier has replaced a large number of Type 73 in Japanese service.
M113
The Type 73 looks quite similar to the American M113, but has a very different internal layout.