At present, the Type 96 wheeled armored personnel carrier is in service with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces. This combat vehicle was created in the first half of the nineties of the last century and has been used by troops over the past two decades. Over the past time, this technique has become obsolete, and no longer fully meets modern requirements. Relatively recently, the Japanese industry began work on a new armored personnel carrier designed to replace obsolete equipment. A promising sample is created under a program called Wheeled Armored Vehicle (Improved).
According to various sources, the first attempts to create a new armored personnel carrier and replace existing equipment, including Type 96 vehicles, were undertaken by the Japanese command in the last decade. It was reported that the Komatsu company is negotiating with the Swiss company MOWAG, the topic of which is the acquisition of a license for the serial production of the Piranha IV armored vehicle. International negotiations did not give any real results, which is why Japan was temporarily deprived of the opportunity to update the fleet of armored vehicles with the help of foreign-made vehicles.
In 2015, a new Wheeled Armored Vehicle (Improved) program was launched - Wheeled Armored Vehicle (Improved). The goal of this project is to create a new armored personnel carrier that retains all the positive qualities of existing equipment, but at the same time has certain advantages over it. In particular, the terms of reference for the new project implied strengthening ballistic protection and the use of full-fledged means of protection against mines in accordance with modern trends in the field of armored infantry vehicles. In addition, it was required to increase the firepower and flexibility of use through the use of new weapons.
The development of the new project was entrusted to several organizations from the Japanese Ministry of Defense. In addition, it was proposed to involve some commercial companies in the project as subcontractors. The overall supervision of the work is carried out by the Defense Procurement Administration Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA). The same organization provides information support for the project and is responsible for publishing data in open sources.
Until recently, only the very fact of the development of a promising model of armored vehicles was known, while the technical details of the project were not disclosed. At the beginning of January 2017, the ATLA agency published new data on a promising car and the successes achieved. According to official data, by now the main part of the design work has been completed, which made it possible to build a prototype of the new Wheeled Armored Vehicle (Improved) armored personnel carrier. The vehicle was manufactured by the Komatsu plant and has already been tested. In the foreseeable future, the prototype will have to pass all the necessary checks and ensure the improvement of the project.
The Japanese military department not only spoke about the results obtained, but also published some technical details, and also revealed the appearance of a promising model. In the official press release from ATLA, the main characteristics of the machine were given. In addition, several photographs and a video clip were attached to it. Noteworthy is the remarkable approach to data publishing. Despite the hiding of some parameters, the press release turned out to be quite informative, which makes it possible to form a definite opinion about the new development.
As follows from the published data, the customer wished to receive a new wheeled armored vehicle, similar to the existing armored personnel carrier "Type 96", but with improved characteristics. It was proposed to increase the main parameters with the help of a redesigned hull, reinforced booking, etc. Also, the designers took into account modern trends in the development of armored vehicles and used full-fledged mine protection. The armament complex is also supposed to be formed taking into account modern developments.
Once again, it was decided to build an armored personnel carrier of "standard" modern architecture. Taking into account foreign and own experience, the appearance of an all-wheel drive four-axle combat vehicle with habitable compartments of increased volume was formed. At the same time, however, the layout with the front engine compartment, traditional for modern armored personnel carriers, has been significantly redesigned. At the same time, the control compartment in the front of the hull and the aft troop compartment with landing through the rear ramp were retained.
One of the objectives of the Wheeled Armored Vehicle (Improved) program is to increase the overall level of protection of the crew and troops from various threats. In order to solve this problem, the new armored personnel carrier receives a welded armored body, additionally reinforced with patch panels. The composition, thickness and level of protection of the main or additional booking have not yet been disclosed. Probably, the body itself is able to withstand the hit of a rifle-caliber small arms bullet from all angles or large-caliber systems in the frontal projection. The use of additional modules allows us to assume a noticeable increase in characteristics, up to the possibility of protection against small-caliber artillery shells.
A typical problem of armed conflicts in recent years has become the widespread use of explosive devices of various types, laid on the routes of technology. This threat was also taken into account in the new Japanese project. To protect against detonation of a mine under the wheel or hull, a V-shaped bottom is used, which diverts the shock wave to the sides. It should be noted that other traditional modern means of protecting the crew and the landing force are not used.
Protection of the machine and people is also provided by some other means. The project provides for the use of collective defense against weapons of mass destruction. For timely notification of an impending attack, the armored personnel carrier carries a set of laser radiation sensors. There is an automatic fire extinguishing system.
BTR Wheeled Armored Vehicle (Improved) received a hull of a relatively simple shape, formed by several large armor plates. The frontal projection is protected by four differently shaped parts located at different angles. Due to the reduced width of the front sheets, cheekbones set at an angle to the machine axis are used. The long upper front plate also serves as the front roof section. For some reason, it is installed with a slight slope. The hull has vertical sides, a slightly inclined stern sheet and a horizontal roof with side sections bent downward. Developed side niches are provided above the wheels.
The engine compartment of the armored personnel carrier is located in the central part of the hull and is shifted to the starboard side. It houses a 500 hp Komatsu diesel engine. The engine is mated to a transmission of an unnamed type. Its task is to distribute torque to all driving wheels. The chassis of the new armored vehicle is based on existing foreign and domestic developments. It has eight wheels with individual suspension on levers with spring damping. The project does not provide for the possibility of crossing water obstacles by swimming, which is why there are no special propellers for this.
The crew of the Wheeled Armored Vehicle (Improved) armored personnel carrier consists of three people: the driver, the commander and the gunner. The driver's workplace is located in the front of the hull at the starboard side. The engine compartment is located directly behind it. The driver has his own hatch in the hull roof, equipped with a set of periscopes. For greater ease of driving on the march, the hatch can be equipped with a glazed circuit diagram. The other two crew seats are located to the left of the engine compartment one after the other. The first prototype received a traditional hatch in the front left seat and a commander's cupola in the rear. In the future, such equipment can be replaced by other products. To avoid unpleasant incidents, vertical wire cutters can be installed in front of the hatches.
The armored personnel carrier is capable of transporting up to eight soldiers with weapons. All of them are located in the general troop compartment in the rear of the hull. A characteristic feature of the troop compartment, which distinguishes the new Japanese vehicle from similar foreign models, is the use of the most ordinary shops. Along the sides, four sets are installed in the form of a double seat and a backrest of the same width. Special energy-absorbing chairs are not used on the prototype. At the same time, it is argued that fastening the seats to the sides of the hull reduces the negative impact of the blast wave on the landing.
The vehicle received the means of disembarkation and landing, traditional for modern armored personnel carriers. A significant part of the aft hull sheet is occupied by the opening for the descending ramp. The latter is mounted on a bottom hinge and is equipped with two hydraulic cylinders. It is noteworthy that the hydraulic ramps, as in the case of the Type 96 armored personnel carrier, are located outside the hull and can be exposed to serious risks. In the event of a hydraulic breakdown, the ramp has a conventional door. When boarding through a door, soldiers can use the footrest. In the roof of the troop compartment there are six hatches, three above each side. When opened, their covers go towards the sides, providing some protection.
The troop compartment of the armored personnel carrier is completely enclosed. No optical devices, windows or embrasures are used for firing personal weapons. The use of small arms is possible only with open roof hatches, but this is associated with understandable risks for the fighters.
The presented prototype does not yet have any weapons. The existing architecture of the vehicle allows the use of various weapons of existing and prospective types. Thus, it is quite possible to use a turret borrowed from the existing Type 96. In this case, the armored vehicle can carry a large-caliber machine gun or a 40-mm automatic grenade launcher. According to ATLA, in the future, the Wheeled Armored Vehicle (Improved) armored personnel carrier will be able to receive a remotely controlled weapon station of one type or another.
The list of compatible modules and their possible weapons have not yet been specified. In addition, the location of the module's installation remains unknown. Probably, the seat for the combat module will be placed on the roof, next to the crew hatches and the engine compartment. The existence of a significant number of such developments in theory makes it possible to equip an armored vehicle with a wide variety of weapons, from rifle-caliber machine guns to small-caliber cannons and guided missiles. How exactly the customer, represented by the Japanese military department, will dispose of the possibilities associated with the modular architecture of the weapons complex will become known later.
Some published photos show that the Wheeled Armored Vehicle (Improved) can carry smoke grenade launchers. The existing prototype received two sets of such weapons. On the zygomatic sheets of the hull, two large supports were installed, on which four trunks directed forward were placed. Probably, the number and placement of smoke grenade launchers in the future may change for one reason or another.
The goals set for the project are achieved through different methods and means. In particular, the cost of obtaining the required characteristics was a significant increase in dimensions in comparison with the serial equipment of existing types. The length of the experienced wheeled armored vehicle (Improved) armored personnel carrier is 8, 4 m, width - 2, 5 m, height on the roof - 2, 9 m. Combat weight is within 20 tons, but may vary depending on the configuration of the vehicle.
Some mobility characteristics are announced. The maximum speed of an armored vehicle on the highway must reach 100 km / h. The power reserve, depending on various factors, is 800-1000 km. The declared possibility of climbing slopes with a steepness of 30 ° and movement with a roll up to 9 °. A trench with a width of 2 m and a wall with a height of 60 cm are overcome. The machine cannot swim, but it is capable of wading water bodies up to 1.2 m deep.
In accordance with the requirements of the customer, the latest Japanese model of armored vehicles should become the basis for vehicles for various purposes. In the presented configuration, which is the base one, the vehicle is an armored personnel carrier and is designed to transport soldiers with weapons. By means of certain modifications, it is proposed to build new samples. Already announced the development of a command and staff modification, featuring a different aft compartment. To solve new problems, communication facilities will be placed inside the building, as well as other target equipment. By reworking the troop compartment and installing new external devices, it is also proposed to build engineering vehicles. In the future, on the basis of the Wheeled Armored Vehicle (Improved) platform, vehicles for other purposes can be created.
To date, the Japanese Ministry of Defense has decided on the goals and objectives of the promising armored vehicles. It is planned to transfer it to the units of the Ground Self-Defense Forces, which will have to participate in the defense against a possible attack. In recent years, the Japanese military department has been paying special attention to the concept of the so-called. Counter Island Invasion, which implies planning the protection of the islands from possible assault forces of a conditional enemy. A promising model of armored vehicles will be able to find a place in such a system and, to a certain extent, strengthen the anti-amphibious defense.
In early 2017, Japan announced the existence of the first prototype vehicle built as part of the Wheeled Armored Vehicle (Improved) project. The financial aspects of the project and current plans for its near future were also disclosed. In 2015, 4.7 billion yen (about 41 million US dollars) was allocated for the development of a new project, construction of a prototype and some other work within the framework of a promising program. By now, as follows from the latest news, a significant part of this amount has been spent.
By the time the first official photographs and performance data appeared, the Wheeled Armored Vehicle (Improved) prototype had reached the test site. Now the machine is being checked in a reduced configuration. In the future, she will be able to receive the required weapons complex with certain systems. According to ATLA reports, testing of prototypes will be carried out until 2019. After that, the question of the further fate of the project will be decided.
From the official data on the project, it follows that serial production and deliveries of new equipment to the Self-Defense Forces will begin no earlier than the very end of this decade. Thus, the period of active serial construction of equipment will fall on the next decade. During the twenties, new technology will have to replace the machines of old models that no longer fully meet modern requirements. Recall that currently the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces have two models of armored personnel carriers. These are tracked "Type 73" and wheeled "Type 96" in the amount of more than 330 and 360 units, respectively. It is easy to see that for the complete replacement of the existing equipment, a long-term mass production at a very high rate will be required.
To date, the Japanese military department and industry have managed to develop, build and show the public only experimental equipment of a new type, created as part of the Wheeled Armored Vehicle (Improved) program. The verification process will last for about two years, and only after that the vehicle will get a real chance of joining the troops. Obviously, in the course of further tests, the military and designers will be able to identify certain design flaws, which will be corrected in the future. Thus, by the end of testing and refinement, some features of the technique may seriously change. The overall architecture and appearance are likely to remain the same. What kind of structural elements will undergo improvements, and in what configuration the equipment will go into series - it will be known later.
Relatively recently, Japan began work on its own next project, the purpose of which is to update the fleet of armored vehicles for transporting infantry. Once again, it was decided to use already existing ideas, formed and tested in practice by other countries. The result of this was the appearance of a rather interesting sample of armored vehicles, which is quite capable of showing good characteristics. Nevertheless, the Wheeled Armored Vehicle (Improved) project has so far only managed to reach the stage of testing experimental equipment. Its real future can only be established in the course of inspections, which will continue until the end of this decade.
