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Japan rolls out 105mm Maneuver Combat Vehicle prototype
The Maneuver Combat Vehicle has a high level of strategic
mobility and is armed with:
1. A stabilised 105mm gun
2. 7.62mm co-axial MG coupled to a computerised FCS. Source: Kyodo/ PA
Japan's Technical Research &Development Institute (TRDI) has rolled out a prototype of what it
calls the 105 mm Maneuver Combat Vehicle (MCV).
This 8x8 vehicle, which was unveiled by the TRDI's Ground
Systems Research Centre at Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, has been developed
to meet requirements for a vehicle with a high level of strategic mobility and firepower that can be rapidly deployed by
air, land or sea.
Local media reported that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will manufacture the MCV, with the first units expected to enter
Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) service in Fiscal Year
2016.
The JGSDF currently deploys the 105 mm-armed Type74 tracked
self-propelled howitzer and 120mm-armed Type 90 and Type 10 main battle tanks but these cannot be used in all types of terrain and can only be transported over long distances by heavy equipment transporters.
The MCV has a reported maximum speed of up to 100
km/h and with a combat weight of about 26 tons, is more agile than its tracked predecessors. It
also matches the minimum payload of the new Kawasaki C-2
tactical transport that Japan is building.
The MCV's turret is mounted towards the rear of the hull and
is armed with a 105 mm rifled gun that features a pepper pot
muzzle brake, thermal sleeve and fume extractor. The gun is laid onto the target by a computerised fire control system that includes day/thermal sights for the commander and gunner.
The commander has a panoramic roof mounted sight, indicating that hunter/killer target
engagements could take place.
A 7.62 mm machine gun (MG) is mounted co-axial with the main
armament and there is also a roof-mounted MG.
The all-welded hull and turret has appliqué armour and it is possible that
laser detectors are fitted to form the first element of a defensive aids system.
In concept the MCV is similar to the Italian 105 mm Centauro
(8x8) armoured car/mobile gun system, 400 of which have been built for the Italian Army and 84 for the Spanish Army.
Italy has also developed the Freccia
armoured infantry fighting vehicle (AIFV) and a complete family of specialised versions using components of the
Centauro.
It is probable that Japan will use the baseline MCV as the basis for a complete family of 8x8 wheeled
vehicles and there is also the potential for a 120 mm version in the longer term.
http://janes.com/article/28174/japan-rolls-out-105-mm-maneuver-combat-vehicle-prototype
The Maneuver Combat Vehicle has a high level of strategic
mobility and is armed with:
1. A stabilised 105mm gun
2. 7.62mm co-axial MG coupled to a computerised FCS. Source: Kyodo/ PA
Japan's Technical Research &Development Institute (TRDI) has rolled out a prototype of what it
calls the 105 mm Maneuver Combat Vehicle (MCV).
This 8x8 vehicle, which was unveiled by the TRDI's Ground
Systems Research Centre at Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, has been developed
to meet requirements for a vehicle with a high level of strategic mobility and firepower that can be rapidly deployed by
air, land or sea.
Local media reported that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will manufacture the MCV, with the first units expected to enter
Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) service in Fiscal Year
2016.
The JGSDF currently deploys the 105 mm-armed Type74 tracked
self-propelled howitzer and 120mm-armed Type 90 and Type 10 main battle tanks but these cannot be used in all types of terrain and can only be transported over long distances by heavy equipment transporters.
The MCV has a reported maximum speed of up to 100
km/h and with a combat weight of about 26 tons, is more agile than its tracked predecessors. It
also matches the minimum payload of the new Kawasaki C-2
tactical transport that Japan is building.
The MCV's turret is mounted towards the rear of the hull and
is armed with a 105 mm rifled gun that features a pepper pot
muzzle brake, thermal sleeve and fume extractor. The gun is laid onto the target by a computerised fire control system that includes day/thermal sights for the commander and gunner.
The commander has a panoramic roof mounted sight, indicating that hunter/killer target
engagements could take place.
A 7.62 mm machine gun (MG) is mounted co-axial with the main
armament and there is also a roof-mounted MG.
The all-welded hull and turret has appliqué armour and it is possible that
laser detectors are fitted to form the first element of a defensive aids system.
In concept the MCV is similar to the Italian 105 mm Centauro
(8x8) armoured car/mobile gun system, 400 of which have been built for the Italian Army and 84 for the Spanish Army.
Italy has also developed the Freccia
armoured infantry fighting vehicle (AIFV) and a complete family of specialised versions using components of the
Centauro.
It is probable that Japan will use the baseline MCV as the basis for a complete family of 8x8 wheeled
vehicles and there is also the potential for a 120 mm version in the longer term.
http://janes.com/article/28174/japan-rolls-out-105-mm-maneuver-combat-vehicle-prototype