Place of origin Japan Used by Japan Designed 1973-75 | In service 1975–2005? Designer Komatsu | |
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Type Multiple Rocket Launcher | ||
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.
Description
The Type 75 has a welded aluminium hull, with a crew of three (driver, commander and operator) sitting towards the front of the vehicle, with the driver sitting on the left, the commander on the right and the rocket operator sitting behind the commander. A single 12.7 mm (0.5in) M2 Browning anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on the commander's hatch. A launcher for 30 rockets is fitted on the rear of the vehicle's hull. The rockets are fin-stabilized, with a 15 kilograms (33 lb) warhead and have a range of up to 15,000 metres (9.3 mi). They can be fired individually or in a 12-second ripple.