Type 90 warthunder

11 May Development

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Description

The Type 90 is a rank VII Japanese medium tank with a battle rating of (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Project X".

The Type 90 MBT was initially accepted into service in as a replacement for both the Type 61 and Type 74 models. Despite its appearance being similar to the Leopard 2A4 and mounting a license produced Rheinmetall Lbased cannon, it is significantly different in a number of aspects.

General info

Survivability and armour

The Type 90 MBT was designed with inspiration from the Leopard 2A4, but sacrifices much of the 2A4's protection and survivability in order to attain a smaller profile and a lighter vehicle overall (vehicle weight is important in Japan in order to pass over their many bridges). As such, most 'improved' rounds available to other MBTs (such as the Leopard 2A5's DM33, or the Leclerc's OFL F1) will punch through even the Type 90's turret cheeks or upper front plate. It's important to keep in mind that even some autocannon ammunition will easily penetrate some of the weaker sections of the Type 90 from the front.

Despite the mediocre protection, the Type 90 has one main survivability feature: its primary ammunition is stored in blowout-protected compartments, sparing the crew from side shots on the rear of the turret, providing no more than 19 rounds are carried. Unfortunately, however, due to the autoloaded cannon the Type 90 is crewed by only 3, increasing the chances of being disabled from an initial shot.

Notes:

• Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.
• Belly armour is 20 mm thick.
• Composite armour covers the front hull and the turret:

Mobility

The Type 90 is powered by a cylinder two-stroke diesel engine producing a maximum of 1, horsepower at RPM. Combined with its relatively light weight of only tonnes, this gives it an excellent power-to-weight ratio of As such, the Type 90 is often one of the first vehicles to reach cap points in a match, and can comfortably flank or move into advantageous positions earlier than many of its contemporaries. This power is transferred to the drive sprockets via an automatic transmission with 7 forward and 2 backward gears, unfortunately limiting the otherwise extremely mobile vehicle to 72 km/h (RB/SB) forwards and km/h (RB/SB) backwards - speeds which it will reach with ease on-road.

The Type 90 also mounts hydropneumatic suspension, allowing it to actively change the vehicle's ride height and angle. This can be used to improve traction on angled surfaces.

Modifications and economy

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tracks Research: 19 Cost: 30 Suspension Research: 13 Cost: 20 Brake System Research: 13 Cost: 20 Filters Research: 15 Cost: 23 Transmission Research: 24 Cost: 37 Engine Research: 24 Cost: 37	Parts Research: 5 Cost: 30 FPE Research: 3 Cost: 20 Crew Replenishment Research: 15 Cost: 23 Smoke grenade Research: 24 Cost: 37	Horizontal Drive Research: 19 Cost: 30 Adjustment of Fire Research: 13 Cost: 20 LWS/LR Research: 13 Cost: 20 Elevation Mechanism Research: 15 Cost: 23 mm_NATO_APDS_FS_ammo_pack Research: 15 Cost: 23 NVD Research: 15 Cost: 23 Artillery Support Research: 24 Cost: 37

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: Type 90 L/44 ( mm)

The Type 90 L/44 mm cannon is a license-produced clone of the Rheinmetall L/44 cannon found on the Leopard 2 series and the M1A1/M1A2. As such, it shares their excellent accuracy and firepower characteristics, with a key advantage: the Type 90 is autoloaded. This results in a flat 4 second reload, better than the peak manually loaded speeds available to the other L/mounting vehicles (6 seconds). Additionally, reloads are not hindered by fire or the loss of crew members. The Type 90 has two rounds available to it; the powerful JM33 APFSDS round (based off the NATO DM33 round) and the JM12A1 HEAT-FS round (based off DM12A1). These rounds are more than capable of penetrating any opponent the Type 90 may face, although when facing some later vehicles such as the M1A2 or Leopard 2A5, weak points must be targeted.

Ammunition

Ammo racks

Notes:

• Hull empty: 19 (+23) shells
• The autoloader contains 18 shells. Once these have all been fired, the autoloader must be replenished before being able to fire again.

Optics and night vision

The Type 90 receives night vision imagers once the tier 3 modification 'NVD' is researched. This unlocks standard x resolution thermal sights for the gunner, as well as standard image intensifiers for all crew (available in third person view in AB/RB additionally).

Machine guns

Main articles: M2HB ( mm), Type 74 ( mm)

The Type 90 mounts two machine guns; one pintle-mounted mm and one coaxial mounted mm. These can be used as deterrent for low-flying aircraft, clearing light obstacles or crew from open-top vehicles, or spotting enemy vehicles.

Usage in battles

The Type 90 is an extremely capable vehicle in the hands of an experienced tanker, but heed must be paid to the vehicle's weaknesses at all times.

Rural Combat

The Type 90 is very capable in rural combat where cover is plentiful and flanking routes are available. It should ideally be used for early flanks where available (such as the eastern flank on Maginot Line) or when unavailable, pushing quickly for early captures before moving to a nearby protected location to hold that point. It's important to be aware of which routes might be sniper-covered early, as many snipers (such as the Challenger 2 or Ariete PSO) will easily penetrate the Type 90, even at range - avoid giving them the opportunity.

Urban Combat

The Type 90 can prove itself to be an excellent urban combat vehicle, primarily due to its mobility and reliably fast reload. As in rural combat, an early push for a cap can prove viable before moving into a protected position, although often by the time the capture is completed enemy targets will be nearby. Early flanking (such as around the sides of American Desert) is also viable.

Notable Targets

• Challenger 2: The Challenger 2 is often found as a sniper due to its pin-point accuracy, good reload and excellent turret armour. The Type 90 should never be used to face a sniping CR2 head-on, but instead should attempt to flank or force engagements at close range where weak spots are easily targeted.
• M1A2 Abrams: The M1A2 Abrams has excellent frontal protection and can prove tricky to discern from earlier models in the heat of a battle. As a general rule it's preferable to aim for the gun mantlet or turret ring on any Abrams, despite the fact that JM33 will penetrate nearly anywhere on early models - better safe than sorry.
• Leopard 2A5: The Leopard 2A5 is very well protected, although JM33 will punch through its hull without any significant trouble. Avoid fighting a hull-down 2A5 head-on, rather taking flanking routes when available. If no choice is presented, aim for the gun mantlet or the turret ring.
• TU: The TU is extremely well protected from the front, and care should be taken when engaging - aim for the driver viewport or the lower front plate; or where these are not options try to disable its gun through the mantlet. If flanking, side shots will often knock out the TU in one shot.
• Leclerc: The Leclerc is extremely fast, with a power-to-weight ratio not far short of the Type 90's. When pushing early for caps or flanks, be aware that the Leclerc may be one of the first vehicles you'll counter.
• Leopard 2K: The Leopard 2K has the best power-to-weight ratio of any MBT currently in War Thunder, and it will often be capable of getting to positions before the Type Keep in mind that it can be penetrated anywhere, but aware the 'bouncy' armour; aim carefully.
• AMX The AMX is extremely mobile and caution is advised when pushing early. Fortunately, the AMX has negligible protection and JM33 will make quick work of it.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Relatively small profile despite visual similarities to the Leopard 2A4.
• Autoloaded mm cannon, 4 second reload unaffected by crew or fire.
• Extremely mobile, high power-to-weight of
• Fitted with hydropneumatic suspension, although this can only be operated when stationary.
• JM33 APFSDS round is competitive (identical to DM33, the 'improved' round on the Leopard 2A5).
• Primary ammunition storage protected within blow-out containment in the rear of the turret.
• Hydropneumatic suspension can lower the tank significantly, allowing you to hide behind relatively low hills and ridges.

Cons:

• Despite having composite protection in the turret and upper front plate, it's insufficient protection for many of the tanks it will face.
• Only three crew, a well-placed shot can easily cause a full crew knock-out.
• Can only carry 19 rounds before additional ammo is stored in the unsafe hull racks.
• Hydropneumatic suspension ceases to work when the engine is hit.
• Poor stock grind - HEAT-FS is easily countered by nearly all enemies the Type 90 faces and JM33 is a tier IV modification.
• Relatively poor gun depression of -7° (contemporary MBTs have -9° or °) unless the suspension is used
• Large and weak mantlet - 20 mm shells can rip straight through, knocking out crewmembers or destroying the breech

History

Development of the Type 90 began almost immediately after the introduction of the Type 74 into service, with the Japanese High Command already looking for a superior replacement. A central aspect of the new machine would have to be the ability to take on and defeat the new Soviet T main battle tank. With that in mind, Japanese engineers began working on a prototype design, which would see completion in Two prototypes of this initial design were built, tested and improved upon between -

Testing resumed in with a second batch of four prototype vehicles, featuring a number of improvements over the initial two. The most significant change included the replacement of a Japanese-made mm smoothbore gun with the established Rheinmetall L/44, most notably used by the M1A1 Abrams and Leopard 2 at the time. The decision to change the gun from a domestic one to a licence-built alternative most likely came as a measure to reduce production costs. However, unlike the MBTs of western armies, the designers of the Type 90 opted to equip the tank with an autoloading mechanism, making it the only production vehicle that did so in combination with the Rh cannon. Further testing and army trials of these prototypes was conducted during the late 80s before the Japanese army formally introduced the tank into service in as the Type Production of the Type 90 began in and continued until , with vehicles made.

- From Devblog

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Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

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External links

Description

The Type 90 (90式戦車) is a main battle tank (MBT) of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). Built and designed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) as a replacement for all deployed Type 61 and Type 74 tanks as it didn't compete with Russian tanks like the T It was designed to be able to compete with western designs like the US M1 or German Leopard 2. Like other Gen 3 tanks it is mounted with a Smoothbore mm L/ Starting development in and finalized in

As this tank still sees service it is slowly being supplemented and replaced by the Type 10 MBT in their new role as Gen tank.

Vehicles

Rank VII

History

Development of the Type 90 began almost immediately after the introduction of the Type 74 into service, with the Japanese High Command already looking for a superior replacement. A central aspect of the new machine would have to be the ability to take on and defeat the new Soviet T main battle tank. With that in mind, Japanese engineers began working on a prototype design, which would see completion in Two prototypes of this initial design were built, tested and improved upon between -

Testing resumed in with a second batch of four prototype vehicles, featuring a number of improvements over the initial two. The most significant change included the replacement of a Japanese-made mm smoothbore gun with the established Rheinmetall L/44, most notably used by the M1A1 Abrams and Leopard 2 at the time. The decision to change the gun from a domestic one to a licence-built alternative most likely came as a measure to reduce production costs. However, unlike the MBTs of western armies, the designers of the Type 90 opted to equip the tank with an autoloading mechanism, making it the only production vehicle that did so in combination with the Rh cannon. Further testing and army trials of these prototypes was conducted during the late 80s before the Japanese army formally introduced the tank into service in as the Type Production of the Type 90 began in and continued until , with vehicles made.

- From Devblog

Media

Videos

External links