Type 74 105 mm self-propelled howitzer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Type 74 105 mm self-propelled howitzer |
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Type 74 105 mm self-propelled howitzer
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| Type | Self-propelled howitzer |
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1975 - present |
| Used by | Japan |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1969-1974 |
| Produced | 1975-1978 |
| No. built | 20 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 16,500 kilograms (16.2 long tons; 18.2 short tons) |
| Length | 5.8 metres (20 ft) |
| Width | 2.9 metres (9 ft 6 in) |
| Height | 2.39 metres (7 ft 10 in) |
| Crew | 4 |
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| Shell | separate-loading |
| Caliber | 105 millimetres (4.1 in) |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Muzzle velocity | 645 m/s (2,120 ft/s) |
| Maximum firing range | 14.5 kilometres (9 mi) |
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| Armor | aluminum |
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Main
armament |
1x 105 mm JSW howitzer |
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Secondary
armament |
1x 12.7 mm M-2HB machine gun |
| Engine | Mitsubishi 4ZF 4-cylinder diesel 300 brake horsepower (220 kW) |
| Power/weight | 18.4 hp/t |
| Transmission | manual |
| Suspension | torsion bar |
| Ground clearance | 40 centimetres (16 in) |
| Fuel capacity | 410 litres (110 US gal) |
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Operational
range |
300 km (185 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 50 kilometres per hour (31 mph) |
The Type 74 105 mm self-propelled howitzer (74式自走105mm榴弾砲, nana-shi-shiki-jisou-105mm-ryuudan-hou) is a special armored vehicle. It is used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). This vehicle is a type of artillery that can move on its own. It carries a powerful 105 mm howitzer gun.
Contents
About the Type 74 Howitzer
What is a Self-Propelled Howitzer?
A self-propelled howitzer is like a big cannon on tank tracks. It can move by itself, unlike older cannons that needed to be pulled. This makes it very useful for armies. It can quickly move to different places on the battlefield.
Howitzers are a type of artillery. They fire shells in a high arc. This lets them shoot over obstacles like hills. They can hit targets that are far away.
Design and Features
The Type 74 howitzer has a strong aluminum armor. This helps protect the crew inside. It has a main gun, which is a 105 mm howitzer. It also has a smaller 12.7 mm machine gun for defense.
The vehicle is powered by a Mitsubishi diesel engine. It can travel up to 50 kilometers per hour (about 31 miles per hour). It has a crew of four people.
History of the Type 74
The Type 74 howitzer was designed in Japan. Work on it started in 1969 and finished in 1974. Two companies worked together on it. Komatsu built the main body, called the chassis. Japan Steel Works made the rotating part, called the turret, and the main gun.
This howitzer was officially accepted for service in 1974. It began to be used by the Japanese army in 1975. About 20 of these vehicles were made between 1975 and 1978.
Today, Type 74 howitzers are still in use. They are mainly used by the 2nd Artillery Regiment. This unit is based in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan.
See Also
External Links
- OnWar.com, Type 74
