Type 87 RCV

The Type 87 Reconnaissance Combat Vehicle, also simply known as "RCV" and nicknamed Black Eye (ブラックアイ), is a 6x6 wheeled reconnaissance vehicle designed and manufactured by Komatsu Limited and employed exclusively by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The JGSDF continued to commission new units up until as recently as 2013.^[3]

Type 87 RCV
The Type 87 on display at Camp Takeyama.
Type	Reconnaissance vehicle
Place of origin	Japan
Service history
In service	1987 – present
Used by	Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Production history
Designed	1983
Manufacturer	Komatsu
Unit cost	About 300 million Yen
Produced	1987
No. built	at least 95
Specifications
Mass	15 tonnes
Length	5.99 m
Width	2.48 m
Height	2.8 m
Crew	5 (driver, radio operator, gunner, observer and commander)
Armor	10–20 mm Rolled homogeneous armour[1]
Main armament	25mm Oerlikon Autocannon
Secondary armament	Type 74 7.62 mm Machinegun
Engine	Isuzu 10PBI diesel engine 305 hp / 2,700 rpm[2]
Suspension	coil springs
Ground clearance	1.5 m
Operational range	500 km
Maximum speed	100 km/h

History

After World War II, the United States supplied the newly established Japan Ground Self-Defense Force with several variants of the M8 Greyhound armoured car. However, due to concerns about Japan's poor road conditions—many roads were unpaved and poorly maintained—a relatively small number were deployed for military service. By 1982, improvements in Japanese infrastructure spurred the development of the first armoured fighting vehicle produced by Japanese industry for the Japanese armed forces: the successful Type 82 "Shikitsu" Command Vehicle. Testing of the Type 87 began in 1985, with Komatsu completing its development based on the earlier Type 82.

Features

The Type 87 accommodates five crew members, with two positioned in the powered-traverse turret at the center of the hull. The vehicle's door is situated on the left side of the main body. The hull, constructed from fully welded steel, shares many automotive components with the Type 82 and includes power steering. The primary armament is a Japanese variant of the Oerlikon Contraves 25mm autocannon, produced under license, capable of firing various ammunition types at up to 600 rounds per minute. Its armor, while sturdy enough to protect the vehicle and crew against small arms fire and grenade shrapnel, will not protect against heavier ordnance. It is well armed for its class but lacks truly amphibious capabilities, being only able to ford up to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) of water.

Comparison of Similar Platforms

	Type 87	BRDM-2	VEC-M1	Spähpanzer Luchs
Portrait
Length	5.99m	5.75m	6.2m	7.74m
Width	2.48m	2.35m	2.5m	2.98m
Height	2.80m	2.31m	2.51m	2.84m
Mass	15.0t	7.7t	13.75t	19.5t
Top speed	100 km/h	100 km/h	99 km/h	90 km/h
Amphibious?	no	yes	yes	yes
Crew	5	4	5	4
Weapons	25mm Oerlikon auto-cannon Type 74 7.62mm machine-gun	KPV 14.5mm heavy machine gun×1 PKT 7.62mm machine-gun	M242 auto-cannon MG3 7.62mm machine-gun	Rheinmetall MK20 auto-cannon MG3 7.62mm machine-gun

Gallery

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