Type 73 armored personnel carrier

The Type 73 armored personnel carrier (73式装甲車, nana-san-shiki-soukou-sya) is a tracked armored personnel carrier that entered service with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in 1973.^[3] In 1996, the JGSDF adopted the wheeled Type 96 armored personnel carrier to supplement the Type 73 and eventually replace it.^[4]

Type 73 armored personnel carrier
A Type 73 of the JGSDF displayed at Camp Jinmachi
Type	Armored personnel carrier
Place of origin	Japan
Service history
In service	1973–present
Used by	Japan
Production history
Designer	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Designed	1967–1972
Manufacturer	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Unit cost	$4.1 million
Produced	1973–?
No. built	338 (2012)
Specifications
Mass	13.3 tonnes (14.7 short tons)
Length	5.8 metres (19 ft)
Width	2.8 metres (9.2 ft)
Height	2.2 metres (7.2 ft)
Crew	4 + 8
Main armament	1x Sumitomo 2HB machine gun
Secondary armament	1x Type 74 bow machine gun
Engine	Mitsubishi 4ZF air-cooled V-type 4-cylinder diesel 300 horsepower (300 PS)
Suspension	torsion bar
Ground clearance	40 centimetres (16 in)
Fuel capacity	450 litres (120 US gal)
Operational range	300 kilometres (190 mi)
Maximum speed	70 kilometres per hour (43 mph) (road)
References	[1][2]

Development

The Defense Agency's Technical Research and Development Institution issued a requirement for a new APC to replace the Type 60 APC in 1967.^[5] Concerns were raised that the Type 60 cannot be equipped with NBC equipment.^[6]

Among the requirements included a maximum speed of over 60 km/h, ability to carry 12 men including the crew, to be fully amphibious, have all-welded aluminium armor, provision for the infantry to use their small arms from inside the vehicle and be armed with a 20 mm cannon, a 12.7 mm machine gun and a 7.62 mm machine gun.^[5] An automotive test rig, called the SUT, was built in 1968.^[7] Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (SUB 1) and Komatsu (SUB 2) each built two prototypes the following year.^[8][7]

Mitsubishi's aluminium model was chosen for use in December 1973.^[5] The tracks were made by Komatsu while Hitachi was in charge of manufacturing its transmission system.^[6]

By 1994, a total of 338 Type 73s were produced.^[8]

Design

The Type 73 is almost unique in that it uses a mid-engined V4 layout, as the driver, commander and bow machine gunner are in the front of the vehicle.^[7] The commander sits between the driver and machine gunner.^[7] During development, there were considerations to equip the Type 73 with a 20mm machine gun, but it was never adopted due to rising costs to procure it from Rheinmetall and plans for the US military to equip it to similar vehicles were never done at the time.^[8][6]

The engine is mounted on the left side behind the bow gunner with both its air intake and exhaust on the top of the vehicle. The engine and transmission are designed to be easily removed as one complete unit. The Type 73 is equipped with three smoke grenade dischargers in the rear on the left and right side.^[6]

The gunner's cupola can traverse a full 360°, but the bow gunner's weapon can only traverse, elevate and depress 30°. The mounted infantry can fire their personal weapons from inside the vehicle,^[8] seated at the rear with four seats each with four folding seats facing each other.^[6]

The Type 73 requires additional equipment to become amphibious and is propelled through the water by its tracks at a maximum speed of 7 kilometres per hour (4.3 mph).^[8] It is fitted with infra-red driving lights and an NBC system.

Rear view of a Type 73 showing the smoke dischargers and the firing ports in the rear doors

Variants

A command version is in service with a raised roof.^[9]

The Type 73's chassis has been adapted for use by the Type 74 105 mm self-propelled howitzer, the Type 75 130 mm multiple rocket launcher, and its companion, the Type 75 wind measurement vehicle.^[6][8]

Operators

•  Japan: As of 2001, Japan reported to the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs that 337 Type 73s were in service,^[10] although it seems unlikely to be fully superseded as a tracked personnel carrier due to the Type 89's slow production rate. It's known to be used by the 7th Division.^[11]