| Howa Type 96 | |
| Origin: | Japan |
| Type: | Automatic grenade launcher |
| Is Ranged: | yes |
| Is Explosive: | yes |
| Service: | 1996–present |
| Used By: | Japan |
| Designer: | Howa[1] |
| Manufacturer: | Howa |
| Production Date: | 1996–present |
| Weight: | 24.5 kg |
| Length: | 975 mm[2] |
| Part Length: | 454 mm |
| Cartridge: | 40×56mm[3] |
| Caliber: | 40 mm |
| Action: | Blow forward |
| Rate: | 250-350 rpm |
| Max Range: | 1500 m |
| Feed: | 50-grenades belt |
| Sights: | Ladder |
The is a Japanese automatic grenade launcher made by Howa since 1996.
With the need of a heavy fire support weapon in Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) service aside from the use of the Sumitomo Type 62 GPMG and the Sumitomo M2HB machine gun, Howa first created and produced the weapon in 1996.[4]
The Howa Type 96 can be used by both infantry and armored vehicles, the former with a tripod and the latter by being placed on a weapon mount.[1] It is seen as one of the main weapons mounted on the Type 96 Armored Personnel Carrier.[5]
On the left side of the Type 96 is a feeding bay where the 40 mm grenades belt can be loaded onto the AGL.[6]
It can be placed on a tripod mount on the ground if required and can also be used as an anti-personnel and anti-armoured vehicle grenade by attaching a tripod mount. It uses a belt-linked feeding system and has single- and continuous-fire capabilities.For automatic reloading, a blow-forward system is used, in which the barrel is moved back and forth and loaded, rather than by a loose bottom.[7]
Ammunition is supplied from a magazine on the left side of the barrel.The type of ammunition used is Daikin Industries 40x56mm "40 mm anti-personnel and light armour-piercing round" (ammunition length 112 mm, weight 371 g), a multi-purpose grenade with moulded explosive. In addition, a '40 mm training round' is also available. It is not interchangeable with the 40x53 mm Mk 19 grenade launcher equipped by the AAV7 amphibious vehicle operated by the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force. [8]
A variant with an additional sight was introduced in the 2011 .