Information on Japanese MBTs, if Andy and Don want to take a stab at refining the Japanese OOB:
Tanks. Being Tanks on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/tanksbeingt...65780353480701
English Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_74
Japanese Wikipedia thru Google Translate
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/61%E5%...88%A6%E8%BB%8A
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/74%E5%...88%A6%E8%BB%8A
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%AC...82%B2%E9%9A%8A
Japanese Websites thru Google Translate
http://combat1.sakura.ne.jp/61SHIKI.htm
http://combat1.sakura.ne.jp/74SHIKI.htm
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/06...7e69975f331b87
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Type 61 MBT
All remaining Type 61s were retired in 2000 (Heisei 12) due to the increasing deployment of Type 90 MBT. Over 39 years of service, no major improvements were made; only minor ones such as infrared searchlights and smoke grenade dischargers.
Ammunition used in the Type 61 MBT was:
M318A1 APCBC, 910 m/sec muzzle velocity, 189mm RHA @ 1,000m.
M431 HEAT
M71 HE
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Type 74 MBT
At the end of March 2020 (Reiwa 2), the JGSDF only has about 136 x Type 74 MBTs left.
At the present rate of retirement of 40~ vehicles a year, the Type 74 will be fully retired by about 2023.
When it first entered service, it had an analog ballistic computer, this was upgraded over the years to a fully digital system.
There are several variants of the T74:
Type 74 first mod (74式戦車 初期生産型) aka Mod A
Initial production model.
Type 74 mod B (74式戦車 B型)
Improved FCS, can fire two types of APDS rounds and Type 75 High explosive Plastic rounds (HEP/HESH). Ammo racks modified to fit APFSDS? Most of the initial (Mod A) version was upgraded to this variant.
Type 74 mod C (74式戦車 C型)
About 50 to 60 vehicles were made alongside the Mod B. The main "tell" is the two-color dark green/brown camouflage, whereas Mod A/B operated in single color olive drab. No real information on what changed besides color.
Type 74 mod D (74式戦車 D型)
The 105mm L7 gun was upgraded with a thermal sleeve. All prior tanks were eventually upgraded with this.
Type 74 mod E (74式戦車 E型)
Most widespread variant of the Type 74, with an improved FCS that can handle the newer Type 91 HEAT-MP round that replaced the Type 75 HEP. About 80% of all prior tanks were upgraded to the E Model.
Type 74 mod F (74式戦車 F型)
This variant has the attachments to use the Type 92 mineroller. ~10 or less of this variant exist.
Type 74 mod G/Kai (74式戦車 G型/改)
This was a 1990s modernization program intended to extend the life of the Type 74. The FCS was modernized, applique side skirts were attached and the gunner received a thermal sight. The suffix "Kai" meaning refurbished/upgraded was also used for these.
Because of the immense cost (100~ million yen per vehicle), only the prototype and four other vehicles were completed; due to the cost issues. Essentially, if 500 of the existing 893~ Type 74 MBTs had been upgraded, the total cost would have been 50~ billion yen, or about equal to 60~ Type 90 MBTs. With the post-Cold War era of the 1990s in sight, the JGSDF chose to spend the money instead on brand new Type 90s.
All four operational Type 74G/Kai tanks were assigned to the JGSDF Fuji School (Combined Training) Brigade and then later to the JGSDF 1st Armored Training Unit. The Type 74G left JGSDF service on 25 March 2019 when the JGSDF 1st Armored Training Unit was abolished.
Ammo for Type 74
The ammuntion used by the Type 74 was:
L28A1 APDS imported from UK; muzzle velocity of 1,478 m/sec; 240mm RHA @ 1000m. Initial loadout 1974 onwards.
M735 APFSDS, built under license in Japan. 1,500 m/sec muzzle velocity, 359mm RHA @ 1000m and 318mm @ 2000m. Began to be used from 1984 onwards.
Type 93 APFSDS, built by Daikin Industries. First indigenous sabot round by Japan. 1,500 m/sec muzzle velocity, estimated 414 mm RHA @ 2,000m. Produced from 1993 onwards.
Type 75 HEP is a license built US M393 HEP, albeit using a brass cartridge case instead of the American M393's steel. Can penetrate 120-150mm RHA.
Type 91 HEAT-MP. Said to have greater penetration than US M456 HEAT which has 360-425mm RHA penetration.