Modernized M163 VADS.
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Let’s not forget about meme vehicles.
This fires the DTI-2 122mm rockets and is mounted on the Type 85 tracked APC
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BTW does anyone have any documents on the Chi-Ri autoloader? I noticed there aren’t any accepted bug reports on the matter, and it needs to be fixed still
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Royal Thai Army M48A5PI
The M48A5PI, or “M48A5 Production Improvement,” was a designation used temporarily for M48A5 tanks that received several significant upgrades to improve their combat capabilities. These improvements were driven by the increasing obsolescence of the earlier M48 tank models and aimed to bring the M48A5 closer in line with the capabilities of newer tanks like the M60 series.
Key Features:
- The large M1 cupola, a signature feature of earlier M48 tanks, was replaced with a low-profile model designed by Israel’s Urdan Associated Steel Foundries.
- The M48A5PI was equipped with the 105mm M68 gun, the same gun used on the M60 tank, replacing the older and less effective 90mm gun.
- The tank commander and loader were equipped with M60D machine guns, replacing the previous .50 caliber M2 Browning machine gun for the commander.
- Ammunition stowage for the main gun was increased from 43 to 54 rounds
- Older M48A5 tanks were retrofitted with these features over time, and the M48A5PI designation was eventually dropped, standardizing the entire fleet under the M48A5 name.
The M48A5PI served as a bridge between the older M48 and the more modern M60 tanks. By incorporating the 105mm gun and other advanced features, the M48A5PI extended the service life of the M48 platform, allowing it to remain relevant on the battlefield.
http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/m48patton.html
According to Wikipedia, the Royal Thai Army operates a fleet of 105 M48A5 main battle tanks.
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Thai upgraded M48A5 with Israeli FCS-10.
The Thai Army has conducted field training with the M48A5 tanks using the FCS-10 fire control system, which was repaired and upgraded by Thai engineers and local companies. This system includes laser rangefinders, ballistic computers, day and night observation systems, turret controls, gun stabilization (STAB), and hydraulic and electrical systems. Similar upgrades were made to the M60A1 tanks. By maintaining and upgrading these systems domestically, Thailand reduces reliance on foreign support and saves over 3 billion baht compared to purchasing new fire control systems for the M48A5, M60A1, M60A3, and Type 32 tanks.
It seems this modernized variant has no specific designation, and since the upgrades are primarily internal, it is difficult to distinguish an upgraded vehicle from the outside.
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Interesting! I was not aware that Thai M48s received an FCS upgrade of this sort, I would definitely hope to see it in place of the A5PI variant.
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“True AP rounds, though a rarity, were available to the gun. Field reports of their use are unavailable, though a technical booklet concerning the guns ammunition types can be found. (See Links & Resources section)”
This appears to be the source. @tester188 would you mind taking a look at it?
https://www.digital.archives.go.jp/das/image/F0000000000000218251
There was also this great report about various weapon systems which Americans only got their hands on mainland Japan.
Already with a quick look I found bunch of possible things to report:
Chi-Ha 120mm
-ammo load 23 → 27
-“gun operated by one only man” Probably means 4 man crew?
-elevation 15 → 20
Chi-Nu
-electrically controlled turret (oops this is already in game, but just very slow for some reason)
-elevation 20 → 45 (this was probably from the towed gun)
Ho-Ni III
-elevation 20 → 45 (same as above)
-“traverses approximately 15 degrees each direction” It’s 10 in game. (other document gives 10)
Also an interesting mention of another report.
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The specifications for the 12 cm short gun are listed on page 39 of that source, but only the Mk. 1 common shell, which is an HE shell, is included.
Ammunition for the Naval 12 cm short gun:
- Mk. 1 common shell
- Practice shell
- Incendiary shell
- Incendiary shrapnel shell
- Anti-aircraft mine shell
- Anti-submarine shell
Land-based AA gunnery Manual
List of Naval Gun Ammunition and Propellant Combinations
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Interesting round. Can’t it be something like HE? Because if it work similar to HE round I think it can be ised in WT
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Nice little BR gap filter right there, lobg overdue and easy to implement
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We could use both two versions of it.
First one is the base vehicle at 7.3 and 7.7 RB/AB.
Japan has a few 7.3 vehicles and a dozen of 6.7 vehicles are powerful enough to support it, but it still needs a SPAAG. It would not been the case if the Type 87 RCV P was not stupidly placed at 7.7 and being useless.
For the upgraded vehicle i could see it placed at maybe 8.0 given the lack of radar like the Type 87 AW and weaker firepower.
Although the vehicle is technically unmanned given the gunner is below the turret unlike the original M163 or Machbet + thermal imaging sight so it could be at a higher BR.
Also here are a complilation of mobile SAM options.
Swedish RBS 70, British Starstreak HVM & Russian Igla-S
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Absolutely, tech tree BR gaps are far too big for alot of nations and Japan is definitely one of them. Be nice to see it get a proper sub tree along with France so they can be filled out in areas desperately needed.
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This must be a Christmas gift for our community! Someone just discovered the only video of the Type 74 105mm SPH, and it’s not just any video—it’s footage of what appears to be a rapid-firing test! This suggests the Type 74 is capable of firing every 5 seconds, or 12 rounds per minute. This is hugee😮
Source: x.com
Also my Type 16 C5 is selected for this month, i really hope it gets added soon, i want to see this chassis dominating Japanese high rank just like in real life.
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Yeah it is interesting video because in documents the fire rate was stated as “10 or more rounds per minute”
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Maybe 10 rpm is the optimal speed and default settings, but it is capable of firing faster than so hence the ‘‘or more’’.
Edit: The same way it is written in the Type 99 document which suggests it firing at 6 rpm or 10 sec per reload.
But thanks to a video of its auto-loader which showed that it is capable of reload much faster at about 7.5 sec and Gaijin was generous enough to based its reload on the video and not its document otherwise we would definitely have had the Type 99 locked at 10 second.
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I’d love to have the Type 74, but not another Type 16 😅
Unfortunately, beyond lineup, it doesn’t offer anything new in terms of performance.
On the other hand, if we can get the new Type 16 APFSDS…
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There’s a new 105mm dart?
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