Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck explained

Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck Kyū
Type:Mid-size off road vehicle
Origin:Japan
Is Vehicle:yes
Service:1973–1997
Manufacturer:Mitsubishi Motors
Production Date:1973–1997
Weight:14500NaN0
Length:37501NaN1
Width:16501NaN1
Height:19501NaN1
Engine:Water-cooled 4-cycle, 4-cylinder Gasoline: 2.2l JH4, 2.3l KE47 Diesel 2.7l 4DR5 (naturally-aspirated & turbocharged), 4DR6 (direct injection, turbocharged)
Transmission:Manual transmission

The is a series of military light trucks that are used as mini SUVs in the JSDF. They have been under production by Mitsubishi Motors since 1973. In JSDF service, it is officially known as the 1/2 Ton Truck.[1] [2]

They are powered by Mitsubishi-made 4-cylinder diesel engines with a total of 123 horsepower.[3]

History

First generation

The first production of the Type 73, known as the was based on the Jeep CJ-3Bs that Mitsubishi Motors had been producing under license from Willys. The first Type 73 Kyūs had been placed into production in 1973[4] with the chassis of the Jeep CJ-3B for basis before they made modifications based on it to create the Mitsubishi CJ-3B-J4 and the Mitsubishi CJ-3B-J4C before it was replaced again by producing the Mitsubishi CJ-5A-J54.[5] Both gasoline and diesel variants were produced and a total over 200,000 units were made. Production continued on before it ended in 1997[4] after the Type 73 light trucks Shin were placed in production by 1996.[6]

The Kyūs had been exported out of Japan, mostly declared as military surplus vehicles to the Philippines and South Vietnam with the latter using it as one of the main jeeps of the ARVN, next to the Willys M606, M38A1 and M151A1 during the course of the Vietnam War.[7] [8] They have also been exported to New Zealand for civilian use.

Second generation

Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck Shin[9]
1/2 ton truck
Type:Mid-size off road vehicle
Origin:Japan
Is Vehicle:yes
Service:1996–present
Manufacturer:Mitsubishi Motors
Production Date:1996–present
Weight:19400NaN0
Length:41401NaN1
Width:17651NaN1
Height:19701NaN1
Engine:Water-cooled 4-cycle, 4-cylinder diesel engine 4M40 (1996-2013), 4N15 (2014-) 125 HP
Transmission:4-speed automatic transmission

The began production in 1996 as Mitsubishi Motors began to slowly phase out the Type 73 light trucks Kyū from production and from selective service in the JSDF, using the frame of the Mitsubishi Pajero as a basis.[6]

The Type 73 light truck Shin can be mounted with various heavy machine guns and anti-tank missile launchers. But like its predecessor, the Shin light truck can mount Sumitomo M2 machine guns and, for the first time, the Sumitomo MINIMI light machine gun.

When Shin light trucks were deployed to Iraq as part of the JIRSG, the vehicles were bulletproofed[10] due to concerns that Iraqi guerrillas would target their vehicles to provoke JSDF troops who, under the restrictions of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, are not supposed to participate in any kind of offensive combat operations.[11]

Design

Both Kyū and Shin light truck vehicles can be outfitted with various weapon systems such as Kawasaki Type 64 anti-tank pods,[12] Kawasaki Type 79[13] and Kawasaki Type 87 anti-tank missile launchers,[14] Japan Steel Works Type 60 recoilless rifles,[15] Sumitomo MINIMI LMGs[16] and Sumitomo M2 machine guns[16] [17] to make them both a mobile anti-tank and anti-personnel vehicle.

Both light truck variants have the tarpaulin roof cover mounts at the rear as an option.[18] [19] They also have rear seats that can be folded up when they are not needed.[19] Air conditioning is installed as a standard feature on the Shin variant.

Variants

The base Kyu models for personnel and light cargo transport were designated J24A, J25A and J23A.

The'A2' versions carried a wireless communications system Type 3. 'P' versions carried a recoil-less rifle, 'K' versions an anti-tank guided missile launcher Type 87. 'G-E' and 'G-N' versions carried a Type 79 guided missile launcher for either anti-tank or anti-landing craft us. 'SR' versions carried a radar system and had jacks to stabilize the vehicle. The 'SH' version carried an orientation system while the 'SC' version carried a communication relay system. 'SR, 'SH' and 'SC' versions were all equipped with winches. Small numbers were produced with small megaphones, roof-mounted single beacons and grille flashers.[20] [21]

Light trucks painted in white were exclusively used by JSDF military police units.[20] [21] [22]

Users

Current

Former

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. This JSDF name designation is used only for the Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck Shin only.
  2. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20120220044818/http://tag.vis.ne.jp/jsdf/soubi/jgsdf/73kogata.html. 1/2t トラック. Japanese. 2009-01-26. 2012-02-20.
  3. Web site: Type 73 Kogata . https://archive.today/20130615043735/http://www.military-today.com/trucks/type_73_kogata.htm . 2013-06-15 . 2013-06-15 . Military Today . dead .
  4. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20120309183651/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/vehicle/type73track-so/t73track-so.html. 73式小型トラック（J23・J24型）. Japanese. 2009-11-04. 2012-03-09.
  5. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20120328050758/http://www.film.queensu.ca/Cj3b/Military/MitsubishiJ4.html. CJ3B-J4 Military Jeeps. 2008-08-18. 2012-03-28.
  6. Web site: 1/2tトラック（73式小型トラック・V16型）. https://web.archive.org/web/20120309183637/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/vehicle/type73track-sn/t73truck-n.html. Japanese. 2009-11-04. 2012-03-09.
  7. Web site: CJ3B-J4 Military Jeeps in Vietnam. https://web.archive.org/web/20100401043418/http://www.film.queensu.ca/Cj3b/Military/Vietnam.html. 2008-08-18. 2010-04-01.
  8. Book: Mesko, Jim. Armor in Vietnam, A Pictorial History. In Action Series 6033. 67. Squadron/Signal Publications. 1982. 9780897471268.
  9. The Shin (新) designation is given to differentiate Type 73 light trucks made after 1997 to the present.
  10. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20130220060035/http://www.mod.go.jp/j/procurement/tekiseika/pdf/koueki/h17-mod-03.pdf. https://www.mod.go.jp/j/procurement/tekiseika/pdf/koueki/h17-mod-03.pdf. ja:平成17年度所管公益法人等との間で締結された随意契約の緊急点検結果等について（防衛省）. Japanese. 2010-01-10. 2013-02-20 .
  11. Web site: Japan's About-Face . https://archive.today/20130615203853/http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/japans-about-face/introduction/746/ . 2011-06-11 . 2013-06-15 . 2013-06-15 . Public Broadcasting System . dead .
  12. Web site: http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/firearms/type64mat/type64mat.html. ja:64式 対戦車誘導弾. 2009-11-04. Japanese. https://web.archive.org/web/20090107143459/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/infantry/type64mat/type64mat.html. 2009-01-07. dead.
  13. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20120309183616/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/firearms/type64mat/type64mat.html. http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/firearms/type79mat/t79mat.html. ja:79式 対舟艇対戦車誘導弾. Japanese. 2009-11-04. 2012-03-09.
  14. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20120309183753/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/firearms/type87mat/t87mat.html. http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/firearms/type87mat/t87mat.html. ja:87式 対戦車誘導弾. Japanese. 2009-11-04. 2012-03-09.
  15. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20120309183725/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/firearms/type60-106mm-rcl/type60-106mm-rcl.html. 60式 106mm無反動砲. Japanese. 2009-11-04. 2012-03-09.
  16. Web site: 1/2tトラック（73式小型トラック／偵察用）. https://web.archive.org/web/20120309183714/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/vehicle/type73truck-s/type73truck-s.html. Japanese. 2009-11-04. 2012-03-09.
  17. Web site: Mitsubishi Military Jeep Photos. https://web.archive.org/web/20100329145935/http://www.film.queensu.ca/cj3b/World/JapanMilitary.html. 2008-08-18. 2010-03-29.
  18. Web site: http://jieitaisaiyou.web.fc2.com/report/vehicle/type-73-old-kogata.html . https://archive.today/20130616042146/http://jieitaisaiyou.web.fc2.com/report/vehicle/type-73-old-kogata.html . ja:旧・73式小型トラック 長きに渡り隊員に親しまれた通称「ジープ」 . Japanese . 2013-06-15 . 2013-06-16 . Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces . dead .
  19. Web site: http://www.geocities.jp/aobamil/shasin/73kotora/73kotora.html . https://archive.today/20130616040740/http://www.geocities.jp/aobamil/shasin/73kotora/73kotora.html . ja:73式小型トラック 旧・新 . Japanese . 2013-06-15 . 2013-06-16 . dead .
  20. Web site: 73式 小型トラック（J23A・J25A型）警務隊用. https://web.archive.org/web/20120309183629/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/vehicle/type73truck-somp/t73truck-somp.html. Japanese. 2009-11-04. 2012-03-09.
  21. Web site: 1/2tトラック（73式小型トラック・V16型）警務用. Japanese. 2009-11-04.
  22. Web site: http://jieitaisaiyou.web.fc2.com/report/vehicle/type-73-new-pajero.html . https://archive.today/20130616042258/http://jieitaisaiyou.web.fc2.com/report/vehicle/type-73-new-pajero.html . ja:新73式小型トラック . Japanese . 2013-06-15 . 2013-06-16 . Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces . dead .
  23. Web site: A motorcade of Royal Thai Army, Mitsubishi (4x4). nara.getarchive.net . nara.getarchive.net . 25 March 2023 . 25 March 2023.
  24. Web site: Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to Provide Ukraine with 100 Transport Vehicles .
  25. https://web.archive.org/web/20240103101219/https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_january_2024_global_security_army_industry/japan_delivers_type_73_light_tactical_vehicles_and_morooka_tracked_carrier_to_ukraine.html
  26. Web site: CJ3B-J4 Military Jeeps in Vietnam. https://web.archive.org/web/20100401043418/http://www.film.queensu.ca/Cj3b/Military/Vietnam.html. 2008-08-18. 2010-04-01.

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