Type 75 130 mm Multiple Rocket Launcher

Type 75 130 mm Multiple Rocket Launcher
300px A Type 75 at the Sinbudai Old Weapon Museum, Camp Asaka, Japan
Type	Multiple Rocket Launcher
Place of origin	Japan
Service history
In service	1975–2005?
Used by	Japan
Production history
Designer	Komatsu
Designed	1973-75
Manufacturer	Komatsu
Produced	1975–85
Number built	66
Variants	Type 75 wind measurement vehicle
Specifications
Weight	16.5 metric tons (16.2 long tons)
Length	5.8 meters (19 ft 0 in)
Width	2.8 meters (9 ft 2 in)
Height	2.67 meters (8 ft 9 in)
Crew	3
Shell weight	43 kilograms (95 lb)
Caliber	131.5 millimeters (5.18 in)
Barrels	30
Elevation	0° to +50°
Traverse	100°
Effective firing range	15,000 meters (16,404 yd)
Armor	aluminum
Main armament	130  mm rockets
Secondary armament	1x .50 caliber M2 machine gun
Engine	Mitsubishi 4ZF diesel 300 horsepower (224 kW)
Suspension	torsion bar
Ground clearance	40 centimetres (1 ft 4 in)
Operational range	300 kilometres (186 mi)
Speed	53 kilometres per hour (33 mph)

The Type 75 130 mm Multiple Rocket Launcher (75式130mm自走多連装ロケット弾発射機, nana-go-shiki-130mm-jisou-ta-rensou-Rocket-dan-hassya-ki) was developed to carry the 130 mm rocket system developed by the Aerospace Division of the Nissan Motor Company. It used the suspension, tracks and diesel engine of the Type 73 Armored Personnel Carrier. Komatsu was responsible for the chassis and IHI Aerospace, as Nissan's Aerospace Division has since been renamed, for the launcher and its rockets. 15 Type 75 wind measurement vehicles were built on the same chassis to provide weather information for the rockets.

In 2001 Japan reported to the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs that 61 Type 75s were in service as well as 13 wind measurement vehicles. It is being gradually replaced by American designed license-built 227 mm M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System. According to Jane's only about 20 are left in service as of 2008.

The rockets are fin-stabilized. They can be fired individually or in a 12-second ripple.

References

• Chant, Christopher. A Compendium of Armaments and Military Hardware. New York and London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1987 ISBN 0-7102-0720-4, p. 120-1

External links

• an excerpt from Jane's Armour and Artillery 2008