I'd been toying with this since a few episodes in, but site issues, time constraints, and a degree of apathy have held me back for awhile. After seeing frequent errors in discussion for recent episodes, I've decided to revisit this project. This is a brief overview of the nature and history of the equipment used in the anime, not an exhaustive guide. However, I'll at least identify the stuff so you can look up further information on your own if you so desire.
Part 1 focuses on stuff from the 1st season. Some things that are first seen in the second season, or go better with other things seen in the second season for consistency, will be found in Part 2. Part 2 can be found here
Without further ado:
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Type 74 Main Battle Tank
The Type 74's development started shortly after the preceding Type 61 entered service, in large part because of the introduction of the Soviet T-62, which left the earlier tank hopelessly outclassed. A late start compared to its contemporaries allowed it to borrow many of the best technologies from the '60s. It had one of the best fire control systems in the world, one of the best guns (the ubiquitous British 105mm/L7), and was one of the first turreted production tanks with a hydropneumatic suspension, granting it impressive mobility as well as improving its gun elevation and depression - quite valuable in Japan's mountainous terrain. Altogether, it compared favorably to its original contemporaries, such as the French AMX-30, German Leopard 1, and the Russian T-62 it was intended to best.
However, there was a problem with that late start: the Soviet Union introduced the revolutionary T-64 in . . . 1964 (duh!). While unknown at the time and not an issue (it was almost exclusively deployed in Europe), this was the first tank since WWII that was effectively immune to most weapons it would face, and its mass-produced cousin, the T-72, entered service in 1973, fully 2 years before the first production Type 74s rolled off the line! As a result, the Type 74 was, even more so than its predecessor, almost obsolete from the moment it was introduced, a problem made all the more telling by slow initial production that meant it wasn't available in significant numbers until the 1980s, when other nations were already deploying their answers to the T-72. This led to a crash program that eventually developed the Type 90 tank. When that came out, Japan finally had a unit that was capable against current threats, and even had it earlier than some European powers (France & Italy).
In the interim, Type 74s were produced in large numbers due to a lack of anything better, and were given upgrades - mainly to sensors and fire control (note the big box-shaped object on the left of the turret). This at least allowed them to perform as long-range snipers and tank hunters even if they couldn't actually fight head on. And when the Type 90 came out . . . the Cold War ended, and production was essentially halted due to perceived lack of need and the 90's hefty price tag. In fact, by the time production of the Type 90 ended, there were still more Type 74 tanks in service than there were of its intended replacement! Rather than properly replace the Type 74, the Type 10 is actually intended to augment and supplant some Type 90s. Instead, the Type 74 will be replaced by a new wheeled reconnaissance/tank destroyer modeled after the Italian Centauro and currently dubbed the Maneuver Combat Vehicle. However, there are some doubts about this unit, and if it falls short in performance, the Type 74 could soldier on for much longer.
Ironically, since local beaches can't be assaulted by heavy forces, most Type 74s are deployed in the central and southern main islands. Conversely, almost all the Type 90s and newer Type 10s are deployed in Hokkaido, which is the only (main) island with beaches conducive to a mechanized invasion force. As such, even if not for the trend toward older equipment, Type 74s would still be easier to deploy to an expedition force in Tokyo than the more advanced models!
In deployment, the core Japanese tank unit is the squadron, which is a company-sized force of 15 tanks. Typically, a Japanese infantry brigade will have a single independent squadron attached, while an infantry division will have a small battalion that consists of just two squadrons. The heavier northern divisions typically employ full tank regiments, which consist of 5 squadrons (75 tanks), while brigades have a reinforced battalion with 3 squadrons. By comparison, a Russian or Chinese battalion is usually 31 tanks, while a US is 44 (used to be 58). Since the force sent to the Special Region constituted an infantry division, there are probably 30 Type 74 tanks attached.
As a minor side note: in the manga, they mention the tanks being upgraded with TUSK (Tank Urban Survival Kit). This was developed for the US Army in Iraq to bolster protection against asymmetric threats like IEDs and RPGs. It includes reactive and slat armor on the sides and rear, additional sensors to cover blind spots, and external antipersonnel grenade launchers. It was never developed for tanks other than the US Abrams, and naturally only the sensors and grenades would be of any value in the special region.
Komatsu Type 96 Armored Personnel Carrier
Historically, wheeled armored vehicles have been cheaper, more reliable, and faster than tracked ones, but saw their performance degrade significantly when not on paved roads, and they were especially vulnerable to soft ground like mud due to their higher ground pressure. Plus, since most used rubber tires, they were more vulnerable to small, sharp objects sticking out of the ground - a common occurrance on modern battlefields. Combined with greater limits on weight (and thus armor), these were mostly relegated to reconnaissance duties. Only in recent decades have these issues been satisfactorily addressed, and the wheeled design became increasingly popular (among western militaries) for vehicles outside the reconnaissance role only in the 1980s and 1990s.
The Japanese, noting their need for the added mobility modern wheeled vehicles provide, began a project around that time to develop a large wheeled APC. It clearly took lessons from the pioneer of this type: the Swiss MOWAG Piranha - known in US service as the LAV (operated by the USMC) and Stryker (US Army). The result is a rugged design with very high road speed, solid off-road speed, and acceptable armor. Interestingly, these were not stated as being intended to replace the older Type 73 (the Type 89 Infantry Fighting Vehicle is), but rather to upgrade infantry units that had previously only used assorted trucks with a front-line armored transport force. To that end, initial plans were for up to 500 vehicles, of which about 350 have been produced since they were first deployed in 1996.
Like the Type 73, the Type 96 has firing ports for its passengers, though not for all of them. It can also mount an automatic grenade launcher or heavy machine gun in the cuppola. An interesting feature is that there is an optional windowed cover for the driver's hatch, allowing the driver the full range of vision accorded by looking outside, without leaving him or her vulnerable to the elements. If bulletproof, this would also protect from sniper fire. It's a middle option most armored vehicles lack.
Numerous variants of the vehicle have been proposed, including mortar carriers, air defense systems, and a unit armed with a 105mm gun for direct fire support. However, only the basic APC and small numbers of an NBC (Nuclear, Biological, & Chemical) reconnaissance vehicle have been deployed to date.
Mitsubishi Type 73 Armored Personnel Carrier
Japan's First postwar armored personnel carrier, the Type 60, was always plagued by low speed and passenger capacity, even for its time. At 45 km/h and only 7 troops, it just wasn't where the SDF wanted to be, and a tender for a faster unit that could keep place with the in-development Type 74 tank and carry up to 12 crew and passengers was issued in 1967. The SDF also insisted on the ability to employ guns as large as 20mm, and the ability for troops to fire from inside the vehicle - a rather rare feature at this point. Interestingly, the two companies, Mitsubishi and Komatsu, each submitted two designs: one with aluminum armor, and a variant of the same with heavier steel plate. Mitsubishi's aluminum design won.
The resultant vehicle, entering service in 1973, had a number of advantages over contemporaries like the M113. It had a lower profile. Its troops could engage the enemy from inside. And, at 15% faster than the requirement, it was actually slightly faster than most tracked armored vehicles of the early 1970s. It also had an engine mounted in the middle of the vehicle, as opposed to the front or rear, giving the driver something not seen since WWII: his own machine gun. This front-mounted machine gun in the ball mount familiar to WWII movie buffs is by far the most distinguishing feature of the vehicle.
Over 300 were built, and despite a supposed replacement (the Type 89 IFV), most will remain in service for some time to come. The chassis also saw use in specialized designs, including a 105mm self-propelled howitzer and 130mm multiple rocket launcher.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Type 74 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer
In the 1960s, Japan, unlike most modern militaries, still did not have its own self-propelled artillery gun. While expensive, self-propelled units provide greater mobility and survivability than towed guns, being able to not only keep up with advancing armored and mechanized forces, but also both set up and take down faster. With many nations having radars dedicated to tracking shells and calculating where they came from, the ability to relocate quickly - before the enemy can return fire - is crucial to the unit both surviving and being able to fight. The armor also reduces vulnerability to small arms and shell fragments that would otherwise annihilate a gun crew.
Japan started with its indigenous towed 105mm Howitzer mounted on the chassis of the then-in-development Type 73 APC. This, while relatively successful, saw limited production amounting only to a single battalion's worth of vehicles. This was because development of it's 155mm/L30 gun mounted on the Type 74 tank chassis was started not long after. In fact, the two vehicles were accepted into service only a year apart, as the Type 74 and Type 75, respectively.
Now, the Type 75 predated the NATO standardization for artillery guns, and while quite capable compared to contemporaries when introduced, it was quickly surpassed in the late-1970s and 1980s with the introduction of longer-barreled weapons, new ammunition developments, and upgrades of other units to use them. It fell further behind when improved loading systems were introduced in the '90s and later. Instead of upgrades, this led to a project to replace it starting in 1985, which eventually produced the modern Type 99 system. However, the Type 99 is expensive and production has been slow. As such, Large numbers of Type 75s remain in service.
Most Japanese self-propelled artillery is stationed in Hokkaido with the heavy armored forces - the exception being the MLRS and heavy 203mm systems that are part of the strategic reserve rather than tactical forces. So, the units seen here would have had to be specially transported to Tokyo in order to participate. The FH-70 field howitzer would be a much more likely artillery unit to be deployed, but the Type 75's near-immunity to imperial soldiers might have played an important role in getting a few of these. A typical Japanese brigade or division will have 3-4 artillery batteries, and the 5th Division most likely has 2 batteries (10 total) each of the Type 75 and FH-70, or possibly (but less likely) just 3-4 batteries of the Type 75.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Type 87 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun
In the 1970s, the Japanese GSDF was still using the ubiquitous, but hopelessly outdated, Bofors 40mm AA gun, both in towed configuration, and providing support to mechanized units in the form of the American M42 Duster. These designs were over 20 years old, and Japan, like numerous other nations, opted for the new Swiss Oerlikon 35mm guns with the Skyguard fire control system under the designation L-90. And to replace its Dusters, it looked toward the successful German Gepard (basically Skyguard on a tank), and decided to mount those guns in a new self-sufficient air defense vehicle with its own search and tracking radars. Initially, decommissioned Type 61 tanks were to be the base, but it was later determined that, for ease of maintenance and supply, the existing Type 74 tank chassis would be used instead, with new Japanese sensors and fire control. Development was started in 1982, and was mostly finished by 1984, but program delays meant it was not fully accepted into active service until 1987.
The Type 87 bears only a superficial resemblance to its peers, the German Gepard and Polish Loara, both of which have the tracking radar at the front of the turret, between the guns, as opposed to just in front of the search radar at the rear. Otherwise, it's similar to the two in capability and layout.
Actual performance capabilities of the Type 87 cannot be fully known without real combat data, but it should be rather effective against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and possibly cruise missiles that get within 2-3 km. Similar guns still see heavy use in many armies as a cheaper alternative to missile-armed units (the system procurement may not be, but 1 missile can cost more than several thousand rounds), and as part of integrated systems. However, it's not certain how well updated the Japanese unit is. The Oerlikon gun went though several major updates after Japan acquired them, and those have almost certainly not been applied. If they had, the weapon would be in the top class of all low-caliber antiaircraft guns.
Unfortunately, the Type 87 suffered the same problem as many 1980s Japanese military developments: it simply came too late. By the time it was introduced, standoff missiles were becoming increasingly common. The Soviet Ataka and Vikhr, and American Hellfire were giving helicopters more than twice the reach of the 35mm guns. And even close-support aircraft were beginning to field standoff munitions in large numbers (including glide bombs like the Paveway). As a result, pure gun-based systems were obsolescent by 1990. The Germans and Poles added variants of shoulder-fired missiles to their similar units help correct this, while the Russians developed true integrated gun/missile systems like the Tunguska and Pantsir. The US even dropped gun-based systems altogether. Even the towed Skyguard guns in Europe were updated with Aspide missiles (ground-launched Italian derivatives of the US AIM-7 Sparrow) and the system renamed "Skyshield." Gun-based systems today are only useful as part of a multi-tier strategy in combination with missiles. As such, the Type 87 is of limited utility against modern threats, making it a perfect candidate to go to the special region. This resulted in a crash program, shortly after they were introduced, to develop a short-range SAM systems to eventually replace them (and the L-90). This led to the Type 93, which is basically a Japanese equivalent to the US Avenger. This entered service in 1993, and has largely supplanted both towed and self-propelled guns in frontline service.
Still, in part due to simple bureaucratic inertia, both towed and self-propelled guns were produced in limited numbers. And while they may be officially part of other units, mobile air defense vehicles are typically attached to combat formations when deployed, and usually divided evenly among those that would need them. The 52 Type 87s in service amount to about 1 per tank squadron (company by US standards), with a few left over for training. The 70 towed units are enough to be deployed with mechanized infantry at a similar rate. The presence of a Type 87 in the Special Region is therefore likely due to being attached to the tank units, and the towed version might be present as well, attached to the infantry.
I just want to say, I always love your work man. I had a blast reading your research on planes, tanks and ships featured in various anime titles. Subscribed.
Mitsubishi Type 82 Command & Communications Vehicle
In 1974, the GSDF invited both Mitsubishi & Komtatsu to bid for a new wheeled reconnaissance vehicle. Komatsu provided a 4x4 unit, while Mitsubishi offered a 6x6. The Mitsubishi vehicle won. However, neither company lost out, as it was decided to deploy two different vehicles on the same chassis, with each contractor getting one. Mitsubishi got a command post vehicle version that went almost straight to production, while Komatsu was assigned to develop and produce a reconnaissance vehicle sharing at least 80% commonality with the Type 82. This became the Type 87 reconnaissance vehicle.
In truth, the more modern armies have become, the more equipment has been needed to allow command to follow and direct battles. And, at the battalion and brigade levels, the need to remain close to mobile forces, and the fact that this exposes units to fire, makes an armored mobile command post a no-brainer. Such units typically involve an APC with a raised roof and extendable shelter, with either built-in or storage for maps, computers, and radios needed to keep track of and communicate with forward units. While all mechanized armies have such units, most are just variants of existing types. A purpose-designed vehicle for this role is rare, and quite interesting.
Compared to its contemporaries, the Type 82 lacks some of the features, but in exchange, it's better protected, better armed (both a 12.7mm & 7.62mm machine gun), and faster than the vast majority of similar vehicles from its era, giving Japanese officers much better survivability in wartime situations. Some 230 Type 82s were produced by the time production stopped in 1999, and a further 47 Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicles were built. These had rear-mounted sampling devices and some communications gear replaced by testing equipment to identify and warn of airborne chemical agents and contaminated ground. While there currently appear to be no plans to replace the Type 82, the Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle is getting replaced by the NBC variant of the Type 96 APC.
Toyota BXD10 Mega Cruiser High Mobility Vehicle
Please note: these are NOT Humvees. The American HMMWV has a distinctive 2-piece front window, and a different front grille. Rather, this is a design introduced by Toyota in 1995 primarily to test designs and features for future SUVs. However, a number were sold to various government institutions, particularly police, fire, and military forces. The GSDF adopted it primarily as troop transports, and its handling characteristics allow them to operate in rugged terrain where other vehicles just can't go (something Japan has a lot of). A handful of specialized variants exist, but, unlike the Humvee, it is not actually armored, and thus provides inadequate protection for frontline troops. Instead, its preferred use is to transport support and rear-area equipment and personnel. For that role, it's more than adequate, providing the rugged off-road capability of the complementary Type 73 light truck, but with greater troop carrying capacity. Still, it has nowhere near the ubiquity of the unit it bears more than a passing resemblance to. Indeed, its inadequacies for such roles are part of what led to the development vehicle in front of it.
The BXD10 was the designation for the military production variant, while civilian vehicles are designated BXD20. Very few of these were procured by private individuals or companies, and almost all are instead in government or military service. Despite government orders, the Mega Cruiser was not very successful, and ended up a net loss for Toyota. Its production run lasted only 7 years, and none have been built, for any market, since 2002.
Komatsu KU50W Light Armored Vehicle
In 1997, Japanese planners decided to tackle the long-obvious problem that, well, Japan didn't actually have a light vehicle with sufficient survivability to perform the ubiquitous frontline roles performed by units like the US HMMWV and French VBL. This led to the design of Komatsu LAV, with production starting in 2002, and first deliveries in 2005. Production is ongoing, and nearly 2000 of these vehicles have already been produced, making them by far the most numerous armored vehicles in Japanese inventory.
The Komatsu benefits from a lot of lessens learned with similar vehicles, most easily noticed with the roof hatch that folds up and out into what amount to small armored shields for the gunner, with an additional shield on the mounted machine gun. It has all-wheel drive and turning, run-flat tires, and sufficient power to help it climb steep gradients and traverse many obstacles. These and other features are necessary due to Japan's often rugged and mountainous terrain, and this unit has an almost unmatched mobility on narrow mountain roads and trails.
Protection is stated as being sufficient to stop most standard infantry rifles, but is likely inadequate against heavier weapons - hardly a strike against it considering its role and the fact that its contemporaries aren't much better. For armament, it's on par with the standard VBL or HMMWV in that it can mount a medium or heavy machine gun, or an antitank missile launcher.
In service, this basically does everything the Toyota Mega Cruiser does (except troop transport), along with transport, supply, utility, and reconnaissance duties in support of frontline operations. While it's the Mega Cruiser that looks the part, it's actually the LAV that comes closest to actually being a Humvee. Thus far, all units produced appear to be basic utility models, and, to my knowledge, no specialized variants have been seen as of yet. However, considering the vehicle's lack of competition within the GSDF and young age, such things may only be a matter of time.
Mitsubishi Type 73 Light Truck
See that one in front.
It's really just a Jeep.
Yes, I'm actually serious.
The ubiquitous WWII vehicle most associated with the name "Jeep" was the Willys MB. This entered the civilian market in 1944 under the name CJ-2A. An upgraded version with a more powerful engine, dubbed the CJ-3B, was introduced in 1953 and picked up for license production by a number of foreign manufacturers, including Japan's Mitsubishi. Under the name J3 - a reference to it being the 3rd Jeep model used by the government, not its original name - some 200,000 of numerous variants for both civil and military use were produced by the time the design ran afoul of new emissions standards in 1998, obviously forcing production to be shut down.
Among these variants was a military upgrade first deployed in 1973, which still used the basic chassis of the CJ-3 with several upgrades, the latest of which led to the Type 73 Shin in 1996. These are the standard unarmored utility vehicle in SDF service, and do almost anything that doesn't involve ferrying large numbers of troops or getting shot at.
SDF personnel generally just call them 1/2 Ton Trucks, a reference to their payload capacity, rather than use their Type designation. This is hardly unusual - trucks in military service have historically been a hodgepodge of similar vehicles that were easier to just group by payload. In fact, the HMMWV is also frequently referred to as a 1-1/4 ton truck.
worldeditor11 said: I just want to say, I always love your work man. I had a blast reading your research on planes, tanks and ships featured in various anime titles. Subscribed.
Thank you. It's always a plus to get positive feedback. And yes, there's plenty more coming.
Back to the first batch:
Bell UH-1H/J Iroquois
Helicopters got their first taste of real combat in 1950 with the deployment of early designs to Korea, largely operating in the role of evacuating wounded soldiers, sometimes from forward positions, and transporting them back to medical units for treatment faster and more comfortably than ground units could. However, these units were underpowered, and while they could carry 2 stretcher patients, those patients were not protected from the elements. Alternative designs were either too large or too complex.
However, with the rapid development of turboshaft engines, the US Army issued a tender in 1953, which was won by Bell's Model 204 helicopter, itself derived from an early turboshaft testbed. This entered production in 1960 under the designation HU-1, and quickly earned the nickname "Huey." In fact, the nickname became so popular that Bell even snuck it into the airframe (on the pedals), and almost nobody ever used its official designation. 2 years later, a rationalization of US Army aircraft designations changed it to UH-1, but the name stuck. It quickly saw new variants to correct deficiencies, including new engines (twice: it was initially underpowered), increased fuel, etc. This led to the UH-1B and eventually the definitive UH-1C in 1966.
The UH-1B/C performed its intended role phenomenally. That role . . . was still primarily evacuating casualties (its first deployment was with 57th Medical Detachment). While also intended as a utility helicopter, which is basically a catchall saying it should be able to do just about everything, the Army was starting to get involved in Vietnam, and learning to use Hueys to transport troops to the battle as well. For this, it was inadequate, only being able to carry 7 passengers. The solution was to increase the length of the cabin, upgrade the engine (again), and the result was the now-definitive Bell 205 model, known in US service as the UH-1D. This could carry 15 troops, more than two 204s combined, and entered production in 1963, just in time to be deployed with the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions as the involvement in Vietnam escalated. Yet another engine upgrade, and a few other tweaks, led to the definitive UH-1H version in 1966. This became the primary transport aircraft of the US Army, while the smaller B and C models were relegated to MEDEVAC roles or converted to gunships with the addition of rocket pods and machine guns. The last Hueys were retired from US Army service in 2006, but soldier on in the Navy and Marine Corps.
The success of the Huey in Vietnam guaranteed huge orders, and boy did they come. Over 50 nations have purchased and operated one or more Huey variant, including every major western nation's army, with final production exceeding 16,000 (and counting). Japan was one of the first customers, acquiring licensed production contract for 90 UH-1Bs in 1962 and 50 UH-1Hs shortly thereafter. Subsequent orders were for UH-1Hs, and all variants were built by Fuji Heavy Industries. In the late 1980s and early '90s, a modified version of the UH-1H was developed, with (you guessed it) a new engine, improved comfort and handling, new countermeasures, and a cockpit designed to accommodate night vision goggles. 78 of these were delivered from 1993 to 1998 under the UH-1J designation. To my knowledge, all Japanese UH-1Bs have been retired, but the UH-1Js and a number of UH-1Hs remain in service.
Bell AH-1S Cobra
The UH-1 ushered in a revolution in modern military doctrine, bringing the concept of "air cavalry" to the fore, and quickly found some issues. The Hueys were great for rapidly deploying troops, but both they and their cargo were extremely vulnerable when taking off and landing, and tended to draw obscene amounts of fire because of this. An interim solution adopted as early as 1962 was to convert older models (initially As, but most frequently Bs) into "gunships" armed with rockets and machine guns, and tasked with providing cover for troop transports as they tried to land and unload troops or cargo. However, they were still easy targets, were themselves vulnerable to small arms fire, and lacked sufficient targeting systems to truly make use of their firepower. Plus, firepower was limited.
Bell was already ahead of the game, and had been toying with the concept of a dedicated gunship based on the Huey for almost as long as they'd been developing the Huey. They showed their idea to Army officials, who loved it and gave them a "proof of concept" development contract. The resultant helicopter had all the hallmarks of later units, but was too small, inadequately protected, and poorly armed. The US instead issued a tender, eventually won by Lockheed (AH-56 Cheyenne) for a heavier unit. Bell wasn't even in the competition, but, undaunted, it sunk $1 million of its own funds in improving the small attack helicopter concept. The resultant model 209 first flew in 1965, 2 years before the Cheyenne, and with the situation in Vietnam being critical, a tender was offered for an interim unit that could be available now. Bell's was the only purpose-designed gunship, and won handily. It was quickly pressed into service as the AH-1G. The unit was started at "G" instead of "A" because it was considered part of the same "line" as the Huey.
The initial contract for just over 110 aircraft ballooned into production of over 1100 by 1973. They were very popular in Vietnam, and provided solid service even though almost 30% of them were eventually lost to accidents and enemy fire. However, its role in, say, a war with the Soviet Union in Europe, was somewhat in question. At that time, it only had machine guns and rocket pods, which would hardly be adequate at engaging the vast armored forces and thick air defense networks the Soviets had. This led to the AH-1Q, which added the capability of carrying the TOW antitank missiles on the outer wing pylons, along with a new telescopic sight and targeting system to support those missiles.
During this time, the poor AH-56 was nixed because of politics and the fact that the AH-1 was available and deemed adequate. It wouldn't die quietly though, and laid the foundation for the later AH-64, which would be everything the Army originally wanted and eventually replace the Cobra. The US Army retired the last Cobra in 2001. However, the Marines adopted a twin-engine variant (Super Cobra) that remains in service to this day. Space on landing ships is at a premium, so the Cobra is far better for them than a larger aircraft like the Apache.
In the later 1970s, An upgrade to the engine of the AH-1Q resulted in the AH-1S, and a series of improvements were made to the AH-1S frame without changing the designation. These three sub-variants each incorporated part of a series of improvements indicated by "Steps" 1-3, and each Step would get its own separate designation starting in 1988. Step 1, eventually called the AH-1P, gave new composite rotors and a new cockpit better designed for ultra-low-level flight. Step 2, later known as the AH-1E, upped the armament with new rocket systems and a 3-barreled 20mm cannon replacing the grenade launchers/machine guns originally housed in the chin turret. Step 3 incorporated signature reduction, defensive aids, electronics, and communications improvements, as well as a laser rangefinder. The Step 3/AH-1F was the last variant employed by the US Army. The AH-64 Apache entered production in 1982, and by the 1990s, enough were in service to retire the AH-1 completely.
Japan picked up the Step 3 AH-1S model in 1984, with slight modifications - mainly a different, locally produced engine. As with the UH-1, it was to be built by Fuji under license, and the last of 89 units were delivered in 2000. Though identified as AH-1S in most sources, as that was the designation when they were ordered, they're functionally an AH-1F model.
A special note: In the manga, an AH-64 is seen in the defense of Tokyo. Japan selected a variant of the AH-64 over an upgraded AH-1 as its new attack helicopter to replace the dated Cobras in 2001, with an official order for 50-62 aircraft a few years later. However, procurement was recently halted at just 13 Apaches, and it's unknown if the GSDF will find another replacement, eventually buy more Apaches, upgrade existing AH-1s to fill its needs, or let its attack helicopter force just die off.
BGM-71 TOW-2 & Hydra 70 FFAR
Anti-tank guided missiles were first deployed in the late-1950s. These weapons were crude, large, and difficult to use. And that's referring to the ones launched from vehicles! Nonetheless, all major nations immediately recognized their value, and the US embarked on a program to develop one light enough that infantry could carry it, which would give even small infantry groups the capability of causing significant damage to advancing Soviet forces in the advent of an invasion. Indeed, this weapon would form the backbone of the LRRP concept that had small, isolated groups (as small as two men and a jeep) that operated behind enemy lines after they advanced, and picked off targets of opportunity to hinder their operations.
The BGM-71 TOW (Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided missile) was the result. This weapon used a rather simple guidance mechanism wherein the missile had two spools of wire attached to the rear (you can see them in picture - that's why I took that one), and as it flew, the operator would track the target, while the launcher would compare the missile's location to that target, and transmit guidance information directly to the missile until it hit. This was an amazing development in the 1960s.
Initially, the missile was mainly mounted on light tactical vehicles because, while technically man portable, it was too heavy and bulky to be lugged around. However, it was also intended for helicopter use, and it indeed first saw combat in Vietnam with a handful of modified UH-1s. The results were a resounding success. Multiple times. Plans immediately moved forward for it to be employed on a variety of platforms, including just about any helicopter of any role that could carry it, light tactical vehicles, modified armored vehicles, and, of course, the infantry role. It was also widely exported.
Further operational experience followed with use by Israeli infantry in 1982 against Syrian T-72s (success), and during the Iran-Iraq War, Iranian Cobras used it against Iraqi tanks (success) and even helicopters (some success there too). And as the decades piled up, so did the successes. In fact, Iran put extensive effort into reverse engineering the missile so it could build its own, and it the design was good enough to be stolen and copied by China (HJ-8).
The only problems were that the missile's range and power - top tier for its time - were eclipsed by the 1990s by heavier and newer missiles, and it's now actually a bit on the low end in terms of capability. Upgrades have focused on improving lethality and reducing the need for operators to expose themselves, but the range is still capped, and the basic design is at its limit. In the US, all gunships now use the heavier Hellfire, with the TOW reserved for helicopters that can't handle that weight. And on the ground, the fire-and-forget Javelin has put a dent in TOW usage. Only the fact that the planned follow-on has not fully materialized has kept it in service. Of course, 50 years of exemplary service is pretty good any way you cut it.
The Hydra, by contrast, had a much rougher start. Originally developed for the US Navy in the late-1940s, the concept was based on the successful air-to-air rockets employed by German jet fighters against US bombers near the end of WWII. This led to the Mk.4 rocket, popularly dubbed "Mighty Mouse," becoming a key weapon for 1950s interceptors. It was terrible. The design was inadequate for the speeds, range, and atmospheric conditions it was intended to be used in, and the accuracy at range (itself under 3500m) was so poor even a modest volley could cover an area the size of a football field. As soon as guided missiles became available, the weapon was unceremoniously dropped from its intended role. It did, however, see significant use in the ground attack role, where its lack of accuracy at long range could be negated by close support aircraft.
By the late '50s, helicopters were starting to come to the fore, and the basic concept of a helicopter gunship had already begun to arise. At the speeds and altitudes helicopters operated at, many of the problems the Mk.4 suffered were minimized or even eliminated altogether, and with some improvements (including upgraded motor), it entered US Army service as the Mk.40. This new system also included an extra development: the rocket consisted of a standard motor section with interchangeable warheads. As such, numerous special purpose warheads were developed, and the weapon quickly gained acceptance as it was employed on UH-1 gunships, OH-6 scouts, and later the AH-1 Cobra, all of which used it heavily and effectively throughout the Vietnam War. Depending on the platform, it was fired from "pods" consisting of 7, 19, or 24 individual launch tubes.
Further improvements in the early 1980s increased range and accuracy, leading to the Hydra 70 (for its 70mm diameter) series, which kept most of the same warheads, but had completely different fin designs, and a more powerful motor that also helped impart additional spin. As a result, the Hydra 70 has more than three times the range of the original Mk.4, while also having vastly improved accuracy. While it can vary considerably depending on platform, rocket type, and target, several combinations allow effective engagement at ranges of up to 8000m, and even 10,500 in ideal conditions. Recent developments have gone so far as to add laser guidance, creating an inexpensive alternative to larger missiles like the Hellfire. These new guided rockets have similar range and accuracy to the big missiles, but at much lower cost.
Kawasaki CH-47J Chinook
In late 1956, just as the prototype Huey was getting off the ground (literally), the US military issued a tender for a turboshaft-equipped heavy-lift helicopter to replace the ponderous CH-37, the first assault transport helicopter of the US military. Vertol, formerly Piasecki, already had a leg up on this, having started work on a turboshaft-powered unit using their distinctive tandem-rotor design the year before, under the designation V 107. The very interested Army ordered several for evaluation under the designation YHC-1A, but tests with the unit led many to believe it was too large for an assault transport, but too small for a heavy transport role. An enlarged version, the V 114, was therefore evaluated for the transport role while the decision went ahead to enlarge the Huey for the air assault role (UH-1D & H, remember?). Incidentally Boeing also bought out Vertol around this time, creating Boeing Vertol.
Now, the 107 didn't die - it eventually got adopted as a shipborne assault transport by the US Marine Corps as the CH-46 Sea Knight in 1962, which was only just retired. And the JSDF has those too, but they're not in Gate so what do we care?
The Army liked the 114, and ordered an initial batch for evaluation under the designation HC-1B. This first flew in 1961, and the designation was changed to CH-47A the following year, at the same time and for the same reason the HU-1 became the UH-1. It should be noted that this variant could only carry cargo internally, and had a maximum payload of just 4500 kg (on par with a current UH-60). At the time, this was impressive.
The CH-47 quickly acquitted itself, primarily due to its tandem rotor design. Since each rotated in a different direction, no power had to be devoted to a rear anti-torque rotor, giving it all to producing lift, and obviously lifting power. It could also adjust each rotor individually to accommodate sudden shifts in weight, making it far more stable not just when picking up loads, but also when dropping them off. And just for good measure, either engine could still drive both rotors, giving it significantly enhanced survivability compared to then-contemporaries like the single-engine UH-1.
In 1965, Chinooks were first deployed to Vietnam, and acquitted themselves just as well as they had in evaluations, but it was not until the CH-47B introduced external cargo hooks and hoists in 1967 that they really came to the fore. Their role: recovering downed aircraft. Throughout the rest of the war, they picked up some 12,000 planes and helicopters valued at $3.6 billion. They also started to see use redeploying artillery, river gunboats, and a host of other units to areas previously inaccessible to them.
However, these were just an interim development while waiting for the more powerful CH-47C, which had significantly increased payload. This was the definitive variant during the Vietnam war, and was most important for delivering supplies. Lots of supplies. It also took on an assault transport role after supplanting some earlier helicopter models. However, it failed FAA certification due to a design feature and could not operate in civil activities. It was still produced in relatively large numbers, and the design issues were fixed in the subsequent CH-47D, which would become the definitive model.
The CH-47D was introduced in 1979, and had an improved external cargo handling system and further up-rated engines, giving it the well-known 12,000 kg external load capacity - the fourth highest of any military helicopter design (after the Mi-26, Mi-10, and CH-53E/K). The CH-47D was also the first model to see significant international sales. All told, over two dozen nations would acquire some for military service. Among those buyers was . . . (you guessed it!) Japan.
Japan acquired a license for Kawasaki Heavy Industries to build a design with different (read: locally produced) engines and avionics in the early 1980s, with first deliveries in 1986. These were initially to be used mainly in civil roles, most notably disaster relief, but were still military-operated and combat capable. An upgraded version, the CH-47JA, was ordered in 1993, with deliveries from 1998 to 2001. This had a navigation radar in the nose and increased fuel capacity for greater range and endurance. Total production was 61 aircraft.
OH-6J/D Cayuse
No, this isn't visible in Gate. And it's a travesty. In the Ride of the Valkyries scene from Apocalypse Now, a fairly large number of these can be seen darting around the Huey formation. In fact, they're in more than half the shots we get until the fighting starts. Since a variant is used in Japan as the GSDF's primary airborne scout, you'd think they could sneak at least one or two into the scene.
In the early 1960s, the US Army decided to transition away from fixed-wing tactical aircraft, and began to transfer all of its existing planes to the Air Force as they were replaced by helicopters. The OH-6 came from a program to replace the O-1 Bird Dog scout and artillery spotter aircraft, which was little more than a glorified Cessna.
In response to a 1960 US Army tender, Hughes submitted its Model 369, which won and was contracted for what would eventually be 1370 aircraft, mainly on the basis of costing substantially less than its primary competitor. It entered the ring swinging, setting numerous helicopter world records for speed and rate of climb during the early 1960s. However, in 1968, reports that Hughes had underbid, accepting losses on the initial contract in order to gain future orders, led to a renewed competition, which was won by Bell's Model 206 . . . on the basis of price. This created the US Army's current OH-58, which eventually completely replaced the OH-6 in the '90s. However, the OH-6 made its marks as a familiar sight over Vietnam, where it often rode shotgun for Hueys or flushed out targets for Cobras, and it later became a popular special operations platform.
While it lost the highly lucrative US Army Observation Helicopter contract, the US Army still had a good number of them. Several of these were, due to their small size, agility, and relatively low noise levels, selected for Special Forces use after the botched rescue attempt in the Iranian Hostage Crisis, and were modified based on the requirements of the US Special Forces. These modified versions became a staple of US Special Forces, with 2 variants: The MH-6 Little Bird is a small assault transport, able to carry 6 troops, mostly on platforms outside the cabin. The AH-6 Defender mounts stub wings with 4 weapons points, usually for 2 miniguns and 2 7-round rocket pods. In addition to US Military use, a civilian version, the Model 500, gained widespread acceptance internationally. In particular, a number of militaries snatched up the Cayuse or its derivatives for its speed, small size, and simplicity. These included Japan, who produced almost 400 locally for military, coast guard, and civilian use. While the new OH-1 was intended to replace them in SDF service starting in 2001, production has been slow, and, last I heard, there were still more operational OH-6s than OH-1s.
While typically unarmed, the Cayuse is capable of mounting light weapons pods on either side. Each side can carry a self-contained machine gun pod, a 7-round 70mm rocket launcher, or, in several versions, 2 antitank missiles. Some later versions could have stub wings with both a gun pod and a missile/rocket pod on each side, such as with the US Special Forces MH-6/AH-6.
Any one knows what type of brevity codes the JSDF uses? In the episode where they kill the giant red dragon and the two smaller once, they get air supported from attack aircraft, here they say fox 2 fire, fox 2 is by NATO code a missle that uses infrared guidance system. And after that they say fox 3 but that means a active rader missle and not guns. The code for guns is fox 4 or guns, guns, guns.
I find it funny that they used the a10 warhog sound for some attack scenes.
Technici said: Any one knows what type of brevity codes the JSDF uses? In the episode where they kill the giant red dragon and the two smaller once, they get air supported from attack aircraft, here they say fox 2 fire, fox 2 is by NATO code a missle that uses infrared guidance system. And after that they say fox 3 but that means a active rader missle and not guns. The code for guns is fox 4 or guns, guns, guns.
I find it funny that they used the a10 warhog sound for some attack scenes.
They use NATO standard because their primary ally, which whom they conduct joint operations, is the US. I discuss this in part 2
Technici said: Any one knows what type of brevity codes the JSDF uses? In the episode where they kill the giant red dragon and the two smaller once, they get air supported from attack aircraft, here they say fox 2 fire, fox 2 is by NATO code a missle that uses infrared guidance system. And after that they say fox 3 but that means a active rader missle and not guns. The code for guns is fox 4 or guns, guns, guns.
I find it funny that they used the a10 warhog sound for some attack scenes.
I mentioned that before on in the ep discussion, however as to the guns sounding like the GAU-8/A Avenger; is due to the F-4 Phantoms M61 Vulcan rotary cannon (20mm), which gave birth to the Avenger. Originally Phantoms did not have internal guns, and therefore had to be integrated with M61 gun pods (Later models incorporated it internally). The sound of the guns are identical/minute difference.
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Technici said: Any one knows what type of brevity codes the JSDF uses? In the episode where they kill the giant red dragon and the two smaller once, they get air supported from attack aircraft, here they say fox 2 fire, fox 2 is by NATO code a missle that uses infrared guidance system. And after that they say fox 3 but that means a active rader missle and not guns. The code for guns is fox 4 or guns, guns, guns.
I find it funny that they used the a10 warhog sound for some attack scenes.
I mentioned that before on in the ep discussion, however as to the guns sounding like the GAU-8/A Avenger; is due to the F-4 Phantoms M61 Vulcan rotary cannon (20mm), which gave birth to the Avenger. Originally Phantoms did not have internal guns, and therefore had to be integrated with M61 gun pods (Later models incorporated it internally). The sound of the guns are identical/minute difference.
The M61 has a slightly higher pitch, but the sounds are indeed very similar, and only a trained ear would differentiate them that well.
Hoppy said: That interesting that the Chinooks are locally made, you'd think those would be hand me downs from the US army surplus.
Well, Japan got them before there were many hand-me-downs to begin with - the US CH-47D was introduced in 1982, and the CH-47J just three years later. The US didn't even have enough D-model aircraft for itself at that time.
As for domestic production instead of buying straight from the seller, it's actually pretty common. Many nations want to do that when purchasing foreign equipment so at least some of the money is going back into their own economies. It's usually more expensive all told, but the economic benefits offset the higher costs. As such, nations that can afford it and get an agreement from the seller almost always choose this route. However, just because they're built locally doesn't mean they're built from scratch. In many licensed production cases, almost all the components are built by the vendor, and only final assembly occurs in the purchasing country. And while Japan clearly had some of its own things to put in, some amount of the parts were most certainly still produced in the US and then sent to Japan.
