Type 73
Isuzu SKW
Overview
Isuzu SKW
Several SKW 464MV fuel trucks with a newer SKW 475MV in the middle.
Source: www.buttobi.net -
© copyright lies with original owner
Japanese for "Type 73 large truck"
Type 73 (Japanese service)
Description
Introduction
The Isuzu SKW is a late Cold War era tactical truck of Japanese origin. It was developed by Isuzu in the late 1960's to replace the previous range of 2.5 t trucks in Japanese service. The SKW is best known as the Type 73 in Japanese service. The design has been updated three times in order to provide improved performance. Despite the upgrades the Type 73 designation remains unchanged, mostly because the capabilities and performance remain similar.
Design
The SKW is a 3.5 t tactical truck that is based on a commercial truck chassis. Even though the design was improved in many areas for military use it uses many off the shelf parts. The SKW features a 6x6 chassis with a forward control cab mounted on top of the engine. Most SKW have single rear tires with a few specialist models having double rear tires. On all three models the cab roof can be removed and the wind shield lowered for a reduced silhouette. The SKW series is unarmed and has no armor or NBC system.
Cargo capacity
The SKW chassis can be fitted with a lot of body types including cargo, dump truck, crane, shelter, tanker and wrecker. The cargo versions may carry 6 t over roads and 3.5 t off road. The tanker versions may carry up to 5.000 liters of fuel or water. It is also used as the launch vehicle for the Tan-SAM missile system.
Mobility
The all wheel drive system gives the SKW a reasonable cross country performance. Early models had a maximum speed of 90 km/h while late models can achieve 105 km/h. Early models had a 210 or 250 hp V6 diesel engine and manual transmission. The late production models feature a 286 hp V8 diesel and automatic transmission.
Users
The SKW is only used by Japan and has not been exported. It is in use with all branches of the military. Most early models are being replaced by late production models guaranteeing its service life for many years to come.
SKW 440 series
SKW 440
SKW 440M baseline tactical truck showing its very short cab.
Source: Unknown author -
© public domain
1st generation Type 73 truck
The original model Type 73 truck is the SKW 440 series. It can be identified by the very sloped cab and square engine air intake. The SKW 441 is a slightly modified model. The SKW 440 chassis has been used for a wide range of applications.
List of SKW 440 variants
SKW 464 series
SKW 464
SKW 464M truck with shelter on cargo bed.
Source: Ypy31 -
© public domain
2nd generation Type 73 truck
The SKW 461 to 464 range of trucks was introduced in 1989. They are improved versions of the SKW 440, with the SKW 464 being the most common. This series can be identified by its less sloped cab and wide engine air intake. The main improvements are the more powerful 250 hp engine, improved braking and larger cab. The SKW 464 was not produced in the same quantity as the earlier SKW 440, but was produced in a near similar amount of versions.
List of SKW 464 variants
SKW 475 series
SKW 475
SKW 475M tactical truck with more modern cab of which the sides and windscreen can still be lowered.
Source: Tubbi -
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3rd generation Type 73 truck
The SKW 475 is the latest version of the Type 73 truck and was introduced in 1999. The SKW 475 features a totally new cab, a more powerful 286 hp engine and an automatic gearbox. It retains the ability to remove the cab and lower the windshield. The SKW 475 is to replace most previous Type 73 models and is produced in the same variants as the earlier models.
List of SKW 475 variants
Details
Related articles
Type 81 Tan-SAM
The Japanse Tan-SAM mobile SAM system is based on the SKW 464 versions of the Type 73 truck.