Howa Type 96
{{Infobox weapon
| name = Howa Type 96
| image = Type96 40mm Automatic Grenad Gun.JPG
| image_size = 300
| caption = Howa Type 96 AGL on display
| origin = Japan
| type = Automatic grenade launcher
| is_ranged = yes
| is_explosive = yes
| service = 1996–present
| used_by = Japan
| wars =
| designer = Howa{{cite web|url=http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/infantry/type96grenade-launcher/type96grenade-launcher.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106230736/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/infantry/type96grenade-launcher/type96grenade-launcher.html|title=96式 40mm自動てき弾銃|language=Japanese|accessdate=2009-01-13|archivedate=2009-01-06}}
| design_date =
| manufacturer = Howa
| unit_cost =
| production_date = 1996–present
| number =
| variants =
| spec_label =
| width =
| height =
| diameter =
| crew =
| cartridge = 40×56mm{{cite web|url=https://www.howa.co.jp/products/firer/defense/product05.html|title=96式40ｍｍ自動てき弾銃|access-date=May 27, 2024}}
| caliber = 40 mm
| barrels =
| action = Blow forward
| velocity =
| range =
| max_range = 1500 m
| feed = 50-grenades belt
| sights = Ladder
| breech =
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| carriage =
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| traverse =
| filling =
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}}
The {{Nihongo|Howa Type 96 automatic grenade launcher (AGL)|96式40mm自動てき弾銃|96-shiki 40-miri jidōtekidanjū}} is a Japanese automatic grenade launcher made by Howa since 1996.
History
With the need of a heavy fire support weapon in Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) service aside from the use of the Sumitomo Type 62 GPMG and the Sumitomo M2HB machine gun, Howa first created and produced the weapon in 1996.{{cite web|url=http://www.masdf.com/spec/land/japan/96apc.html|script-title=ja:96式装輪装甲車|language=Japanese|accessdate=2009-01-13}}
Use
File:９６式装輪装甲車 Ｈ２２観閲式13 06 036 装備 171.jpg mounted on top of a Type 96 APC]]
The Howa Type 96 can be used by both infantry and armored vehicles, the former with a tripod and the latter by being placed on a weapon mount. It is seen as one of the main weapons mounted on the Type 96 armored personnel carrier.{{cite web|url=http://tag.vis.ne.jp/jsdf/soubi/jgsdf/96teki.html|title=９６式40mm自動てき弾銃|language=Japanese|accessdate=2009-01-27|archive-date=2008-06-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620064232/http://tag.vis.ne.jp/jsdf/soubi/jgsdf/96teki.html|url-status=dead}}
Operational details
On the left side of the Type 96 is a feeding bay where the 40 mm grenades belt can be loaded onto the AGL.{{cite web|url=http://militaryroom.chips.jp/newpage39.html|script-title=ja:９６式４０mm自動てき弾銃|accessdate=2009-01-13|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722084034/http://militaryroom.chips.jp/newpage39.html|archivedate=2011-07-22|language=Japanese}}
It can be placed on a tripod mount on the ground if required and can also be used as an anti-personnel and anti-armoured vehicle grenade by attaching a tripod mount. It uses a belt-linked feeding system and has single- and continuous-fire capabilities.For automatic reloading, a blow-forward system is used, in which the barrel is moved back and forth and loaded, rather than by a loose bottom.96式自動てき弾銃 荒木雅也 スピアヘッドNo.11 P80-85 アルゴノート社
Ammunition is supplied from a magazine on the left side of the barrel.The type of ammunition used is Daikin Industries 40x56mm "40 mm anti-personnel and light armour-piercing round" (ammunition length 112 mm, weight 371 g), a multi-purpose grenade with moulded explosive. In addition, a '40 mm training round' is also available. It is not interchangeable with the 40x53 mm Mk 19 grenade launcher equipped by the AAV7 amphibious vehicle operated by the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force. 自衛隊装備年鑑 2006-2007 朝雲新聞社 P43 {{ISBN2|4-7509-1026-0}}
A variant with an additional sight was introduced in the 2011 {{ill|Fuji General Firepower Exercise|ja|富士総合火力演習}}.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Howa Type 96}}
- [https://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/equipment/index.html#/detail/0/0_20/ Official JGSDF Page]
- [https://www.howa.co.jp/products/firer/defense/product05.html Official HOWA Page]
{{Blow forward firearms}}
Category:Blow forward firearms
Category:Post–Cold War weapons of Japan