Howa Type 96
Howa Type 96 | |
---|---|
Howa Type 96 AGL on display | |
Type | Automatic grenade launcher |
Place of origin | Japan |
Service history | |
In service | 1996–present |
Used by | Japan |
Production history | |
Designer | Howa[1] |
Manufacturer | Howa |
Produced | 1996–present |
Specifications | |
Mass | 24.5 kg[1] |
Length | 975 mm[2] |
Barrel length | 454 mm[2] |
Cartridge | 40×56mm[3] |
Caliber | 40 mm |
Action | Blow forward |
Rate of fire | 250-350 rpm[1] |
Maximum firing range | 1500 m |
Feed system | 50-grenades belt |
Sights | Ladder |
The Howa Type 96 automatic grenade launcher (AGL) (96式40mm自動てき弾銃, 96-shiki 40-miri jidōtekidanjū) is a Japanese automatic grenade launcher made by Howa since 1996.
History
[edit]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]
Use
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/%EF%BC%99%EF%BC%96%E5%BC%8F%E8%A3%85%E8%BC%AA%E8%A3%85%E7%94%B2%E8%BB%8A_%EF%BC%A8%EF%BC%92%EF%BC%92%E8%A6%B3%E9%96%B2%E5%BC%8F13_06_036_%E8%A3%85%E5%82%99_171.jpg/300px-%EF%BC%99%EF%BC%96%E5%BC%8F%E8%A3%85%E8%BC%AA%E8%A3%85%E7%94%B2%E8%BB%8A_%EF%BC%A8%EF%BC%92%EF%BC%92%E8%A6%B3%E9%96%B2%E5%BC%8F13_06_036_%E8%A3%85%E5%82%99_171.jpg)
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.[4][5]
Operational details
[edit]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. [7][8]
A variant with an additional sight was introduced in the 2011 Fuji General Firepower Exercise . [7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "96式 40mm自動てき弾銃" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2009-01-06. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
- ^ a b "96式40mm自動てき(擲)弾銃" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2009-11-12. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
- ^ "96式40mm自動てき弾銃". Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ a b 96式装輪装甲車 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2009-01-13.
- ^ "96式40mm自動てき弾銃" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2008-06-20. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
- ^ 96式40mm自動てき弾銃 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
- ^ a b c 96式自動てき弾銃 荒木雅也 スピアヘッドNo.11 P80-85 アルゴノート社
- ^ 自衛隊装備年鑑 2006-2007 朝雲新聞社 P43 ISBN 4-7509-1026-0
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)