- Yes
- No
It is the 1970s and Japan was in need of a new IFV, so it commissioned both Komatsu industires and Mitsubishi hoping that one of the two can present a satisfactorily prototype. In the end of the competition the Mitsubishi design won and was later on put in production. Later it will be called Type 89 IFV, but today we are gonne talk about the Komatsu prototype called Komatsu B78 IFV.
The Komatsu B78 was a prototype made by Komatsu industries as an alternative to the Mitsubishi’s IFV. The prototype was designed in the late 1970s and went on all the way to the early 1980s.
The Komatsu B78 was armed with one 25mm auto cannon, same cannon that can be found on the Type 87 RCV. The Komatsu B78 was also equipped with an ATGM tube/lunchers for 2 Type 79 Jyu-MAT launchers inside it.
The vehicle was much smaller in size than the Type 89 both in size and profile, witch made it hard for the troops to sitt in. All the troops complined of how cramped it was inside, and the crew found it difficult to operate in. To give a better images of how small it was, the Komatsu B78 is smaller than 89 Shiki FV.
The Komatsu B78 also suffered from many mobility issues witch drove JGSDF to choose to go with the Mitsubishi’s prototype instead of the Komatsu B78. Mitsubishi’s prototype would later on go to become the Type 89 IFV.
The Komatsu B78 IFV was equipped with the same LWS+LR and the same thermals technology as found in the Type 89 IFV. The Komatsu B78 also used 25mm auto cannon found on the Type 87 RCV, in addition they both fired the DM63, M791 and the PMB 090 rounds.
VEHICLE SPECIFICATION:
- Length: 6.16 meters
- Width: 3.14 meters
- Height (top of the turret): 2.15 meters
- Height (chassis only): 1.155 meters
- Weight: 20 tons
- Armament:
- 25mm Oerlikon KBA
- ATGM’s (most likely the Type 79 Jyu-MAT)
- 7.62 coaxial machine gun
- Stabilizer? Yes
- Top speed: 67 kph
- Engine: Cummins VTA903T
- Engine power: 600 hp
- Power-to-weight ratio: 30 hp/ton
This can be an intressting addition to the game and specilly to the Japanese tech tree, can help boost some line ups in the game. And give more options for the players to choose from.
SOURCE:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Warthunder/comments/x0tug4/gaijin_please_komatsu_105gsr/