Side view of Type 87 reconnaissance vehicle parked at a harbor.
Source: Hunini -
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The Type 87 is a reconnaissance vehicle of Japanese origin. It was developed for the armed reconnaissance role. Until the introduction of the Type 87 only softskin vehicles were used for reconnaissance by Japan.
The Type 87 is based on the chassis of the Type 82 command post vehicle. Both vehicles have a 6x6 wheelbase and share many automotive components. The internal layout was changed. The engine has been moved to the rear in order to mount a large two man turret in the center. The crew of five consists of the commander, driver, gunner and two scouts that can dismount.
The Type 87 is armed with a 25mm Oerlikon KBA autocannon. This allows the vehicle to engage most types of combat vehicles, except for heavily armored vehicles such as tanks. A total of 400 rounds of armor piercing and high explosive ammunition are carried. The maximum effective range of the KBA is 2 km. A 7.62mm Type 74 vehicle machine gun is mounted as a coaxial weapon.
The Type 87 has a very good mobility on roads and medium cross country mobility. The Isuzu V10 diesel engine provides up to 305 hp. The maximum speed on roads is 100 km/h. The Type 87 is not amphibious.
The armor protects the crew from small arms fire and shell splinters. Over the frontal arc it resists heavy machine gun fire. Smoke grenade launchers are fitted on either side of the turret.
The Type 87 is in use with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force. A total of 111 production vehicles were delivered. In accordance with Japanese policy this vehicle has not been exported.
Several Type 87 reconnaissance vehicles in the field.
Source: Rikujojieitai Boueisho -
© GNU Attribution Share Alike license
The Type 87 was produced only in a single variant. The chassis and automotive components are shared with the Type 82 command post vehicle. The Type 82 lacks a turret and has a raised roofline.
The Type 87 reconnaissance vehicles is based on the same 6x6 chassis as the Type 82 command post vehicle.
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