Type 74 (E)

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This page is about the Japanese medium tank Type 74 (E). For other versions, see Type 74 (Family).
jp_type_74.png
GarageImage Type 74 (E).jpg
ArtImage Type 74 (E).png
Type 74 (E)
AB RB SB
9.0 9.0 9.0
Class:
Research:190 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:520 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Type 74 (E) (74式戦車E型) is a variant on the Type 74 MBT series featuring an enhanced fire control system that allows it to fire Type 91 HEAT-MP rounds instead of Type 75 HESH rounds. It also has a thermal sleeve for the L7A3 (105 mm) rifled gun, which was added in the Type 74 (D) upgrade. Moreover, it can mount a dozer blade to create a hull-down position.

It was introduced along with the initial Japanese Ground Forces tree in Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai" as the Type 74, and updated to the Type 74 (E) in Update "Direct Hit". It's the first of the Japanese MBTs to be able to equip APFSDS ammunition, which on top of its laser rangefinder and hydropneumatic suspension system that allows it to adjust its hull height and angle, provides a decent sniping vehicle.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Self-entrenching equipment
Creation of ramparts and trenches in soft ground
Armourfront / side / back
Hull80 / 30 / 20
Turret132 / 67 / 37
Crew4 people
Visibility96 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 40 mm (74°), 80 mm (65°) Front glacis
80 mm (57°) Lower glacis
35 mm (44°) Top
30 mm, 10 mm (55-56°) Bottom
20 mm Top
25 mm (47-48°) Bottom
25 mm
Turret 132 mm (27-53°) Turret front
200 mm (34-73°) , 150 + 170 mm (0-44°) Gun mantlet
132 mm (5-57°) Front
67 mm (37-47°) Rear
37 mm (17-39°) 67 mm Front
37 mm Rear
Cupola 80 mm 80 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and tracks are both 20 mm thick.
  • The Type 74's hydropneumatic suspension means it could vary the sloped angle of its armour towards the enemy.
  • Hull roof is rated to be 25 mm effective against HE.

As with most medium tanks of the rank, the hull of the Type 74 (E) is only capable of stopping some autocannon fire and has very vulnerable sides, however, the turret armour of the Type 74 (E) is closer to US and British turret armour level. While it's unlikely to stop most APFSDS, it is very likely to deflect stray APDS and APHE. Light tanks will likely have to get close and personal to penetrate it, as penetrating cupola even with APDS belt is a challenge due to its size.

The advantage can be kept even when creeping onto the enemy high ground by using hydropneumatic suspension before driving uphill to not allow the enemy to fire at the roof. In rare cases, the tank can "duck" behind cover to hide at least a portion of the turret from enemy fire.

Mobility

 
Controlled suspension
It is possible to adjust the ground clearance or more complex suspension positions
Speedforward / back
AB59 / 9 km/h
RB and SB54 / 8 km/h
Number of gears6 forward
1 back
Weight38.0 t
Engine power
AB1 660 hp
RB and SB870 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB43.7 hp/t
RB and SB22.9 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 59 9 38 1,348 1,660 35.47 43.68
Realistic 54 8 769 870 20.24 22.89

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 992 → 6 227 Sl icon.png
RB4 144 → 6 464 Sl icon.png
SB5 128 → 7 999 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications157 000 Rp icon.png
261 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 600 Ge icon.png
Crew training150 000 Sl icon.png
Experts520 000 Sl icon.png
Aces2 100 Ge icon.png
Research Aces950 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
150 / 200 / 240 % Sl icon.png
220 / 220 / 220 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
8 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
7 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
7 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
8 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
9 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
400 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
9 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
400 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
2 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
2 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement jp.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
8 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mods dozer blade.png
Dozer Blade
Research:
9 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
400 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
8 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
105mm_NATO_APDS_FS_ammo_pack
Research:
8 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
7 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mods tank laser rangefinder.png
Laser rangefinder
Research:
7 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
8 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
105mm_us_M416_Smoke_ammo_pack
Research:
8 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Research:
8 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
9 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
400 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
105mm_jp_Type93_APDS_FS_ammo_pack
Research:
9 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
400 Ge icon.png
Mods night vision device.png
NVD
Research:
9 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
400 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Laser rangefinder
Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder
Night vision device
Improves visibility by enhancing natural light or active illumination.

Main armament

Two-plane stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving
Ammunition50 rounds
First-order16 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
8.7 → 6.7 s
Vertical guidance-6° / 9°
Main article: L7A3 (105 mm)
105 mm L7A3 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 50 -6°/+9° ±180° Two-plane 22.8 31.6 38.4 42.5 45.2 8.71 7.70 7.10 6.70
Realistic 14.3 16.8 20.4 22.6 24.0

While the 105 mm gun is relatively equal to one of other nations, the ammunition and optics of the Type 74 (E) are exceptional. It has all the same shell types of NATO tanks. The Type 74 (E) also has a laser rangefinder, which makes it really easy to check aim in RB, compared to tanks it fights in down-tiers and sometimes even in up-tier.

The gun depression is somewhat limited, but the vehicle's hydropneumatic suspension can be used to compensate for this.

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
Type 91 HEATFS 400 400 400 400 400 400
M735 APFSDS 292 291 284 275 266 257
Type 93 APFSDS 405 403 396 388 378 370
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (kg)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
Type 91 HEATFS 1,150 9.4 0.05 0.1 1.57 65° 72° 77°
M735 APFSDS 1,501 3.72 - - - 78° 80° 81°
Type 93 APFSDS 1,501 3.4 - - - 78° 80° 81°
Smoke shell characteristics
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Screen radius
(m)
Screen deploy
time (s)
Screen hold
time (s)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
M416 732 11.6 16 5 25 50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Type 74 (E)
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
50 17 (+33) 10 (+40) (+49) Yes

Notes:

  • Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
  • Racks 2 and 3 are first stage ammo racks. They total 16 shells and get filled first when loading up the tank.
    • These racks are also emptied early: the depletion order at full capacity is: 2 - 3 - 1.
    • Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1-8 into rack 9. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready rack.
  • The visual discrepancy concerns racks 1 and 3.
    • Rack 1 has 3 shells which, while modelled in the rack, are never present (crossed out shells).
    • Rack 1 is modelled as 30 shells but contains 34 shells.
    • Rack 3 has a shell which remains in the rack even after having been shot.

Optics and night vision

Type 74 (E) Optics
Type of optic Magnification Night Vision Devices
Image Intensifier Thermal Imager
Resolution
Notes
Resolution Light Mult Noise Level
Gunner's Sight X8 - X16 800X600 8.0 High Not Fitted Image intensifier unlocked by "NVD" modification (tier 4)
Commander's View X6 800X600 8.0 High Not Fitted Image intensifier unlocked by "NVD" modification (tier 4)
Driver's View X1 / 3PV 800X600 5.0 High Not Fitted Image intensifier unlocked by "NVD" modification (tier 4)

Machine guns

Ammunition600 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate575 shots/min
Vertical guidance-10° / 60°
Horizontal guidance-180° / 80°
Ammunition4 500 rounds
Belt capacity250 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate701 shots/min
12.7 mm M2HB
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 600 (200) 575 -10°/+60° -180°/+80°
7.62 mm Type 74
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 4,500 (250) 701 - -

While it's not recommended, it's still possible to use 12.7 mm to fight light tanks like AUBL/74 HVG or Rooikat Mk.1D and most SPAA tanks at <100 m range.

Do not charge them with just the MG, especially at long range, as even poorly armoured rank V light tanks can survive frontal MG fire long enough to disarm and explode Type 74 - let them come to you, hit them with the main gun and ensure they never move again by firing at their sides or flat parts, while hiding yours.

Any melee oriented light tanks like BMP-2 or Warrior with add-on armour will have enough armour to absorb the MG fire and will greet Type 74 back with point blank ATGM attack, which machine guns will be unable to stop at such range.

Usage in battles

As the Type 74 (E) is very comparable to the Leopard 1 Series, especially the Leopard A1A1, it is recommended to play them in the same fashion as such. In a Hit & Run tactic.

The additional benefits of the Type 74 (E) over the Leopard A1A1 are:

  • A top mounted .50 which can be used to deal with soft targets swiftly or damage gun barrels or track opponent tanks.
  • Hydropneumatic suspension to:
    • Increase gun depression or elevation.
    • Improve traverse rate off- and on road.
    • Could vary the sloped angle of its armour towards the enemy.
  • Stronger turret armour
  • Night vision spotlight
  • Better ammunition available:
    • Stock HEAT shell for the 74F while the Leopard starts with an APDS shell.
    • APFSDS shell researchable at tier I while it is a tier IV modification for the A1A1.

With all the additional benefits out of the way, it shouldn't be negated it's still a gen 2 MBT with barely any armour to rely upon other than the strong turret which still will be defeated by most rounds that the Type 74 (E) will face. It is advised to make use of the terrain to your advantage in combination with the hydropneumatic suspension. The stabilizer also allows for the Type 74 (E) to shoot on the move and due lower top speed compared to the Leopard, should be even easier to shoot on the move.

But even though armour isn't the strong suit of the Type 74 (E), it gets an amazing choice of rounds to make use of. Even the strongest tanks shouldn't disregard a stock Type 74 (E) as it gets HEATFS as stock shell and has access to the M735 APFSDS shell as soon as tier I (with a second more potent Type 93 APFSDS shell as tier IV modification), while such a shell usually is a tier IV modification for most 105 mm L7A3 carrying tanks, this improves the Type 74 (E)'s combat performance by a lot.

In a nutshell: Use the mobility with the cannon's perfection to flank and spank enemies (But if you have to resolve to a frontal attack, the APFSDS still allows for such a playstyle). Wait and hunt for the perfect positions and kill the enemy tanks one by one, while always maintaining a good situational awareness. Patience is the key to success.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Same gun and general ammo choices as the NATO tanks
  • Gets improved Type 93 APFSDS, which can deal frontally with anything the tank will see from any range
  • A little bit more agile than the Leopard A1A1
  • .50 cal machine gun proves useful against SPAAGs, as well as strafing aircraft
  • Better frontal armour overall than the Leopards, ZSU-57-2 will have a much harder time defeating it from the front, can also bounce some medium tank APDS
  • Hydropneumatic suspension system can give up to -12° of gun depression as well as more compatibility for terrain

Cons:

  • Hydropneumatic suspension system takes time to deploy and undeploy
  • Only -6° of gun depression without deploying the suspension
  • 53 km/h top speed compared to Leopard A1A1's 65 km/h (however, both tanks rarely reach this speed)

History

Development

A year after the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) issued out their first post-war main battle tank, the Type 61, development started on its successor, recognizing that the Type 61 was already becoming obsolete in terms of the new Soviet tanks being produced such as the T-62. Working alongside Mitsubishi once more, they looked for a new tank design incorporating many new features introduced in tank technology. This resulted in the tank having the hydropneumatic suspension system from the U.S.-German project MBT-70, a hull shape similar to Germany's Leopard I, and the powerful 105 mm L7 gun for its main armament. Other planned features for the tank was a rotatable commander's cupola and an autoloader system for the main gun.

The first prototype arrived for testing in 1968 as the STB-1. Modifications to the design started in 1969, which saw the autoloader removed for being too complex and expensive, as well as the removal of a proposed remote-controlled anti-aircraft machine gun for the same reason. The turret design was also elongated for various design purposes. The modified prototype was labelled STB-3 and was delivered in 1971. The final prototype, STB-6, was then delivered in 1973. The tank was then accepted for service in 1974 as the Type 74 tank. Production would start in September 1975 all the way to 1989, producing 893 tanks.

Service

Due to the defensive nature of the JSDF and the absence of any hostility rising out of the Cold War, the Type 74 spent its service life in the JGSDF with no battle service. During its service life however, it was upgraded with new hardware such as infra-red imagers for night fighting and a laser rangefinder for the commander. Despite all that, the Type 74 was generally outdated in terms of specifications even before entering service, as second-generation main battle tanks like the Chieftain and T-72 outclass it and development for third-generation main battle tanks like the Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams were already underway.

The tank was to be replaced by the newer Type 90 main battle tank, but the collapse of the Soviet Union and the official end of the Cold War caused the replacement program to be halted. Today, the Type 74 still sees limited service in Japan and it was reported that 700 units were still in use in 2006.

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Related Development
Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

External links


Japan medium tanks
Type 97  Chi-Ha · Chi-Ha Kai · Chi-Ha Kai TD · Chi-Ha Short Gun
Type 1  Chi-He · Chi-He (5th Regiment) · Ho-I
Type 3  Chi-Nu · Chi-Nu II
Type 4  Chi-To · Chi-To Late
Type 5  Chi-Ri II
Type 61 MBT  ST-A1* · ST-A2* · ST-A3* · Type 61
Type 74 MBT  ST-B2* · Type 74 (C) · Type 74 (E) · Type 74 (F) · Type 74 (G)
Type 90 MBT  Type 90 · Type 90 (B) · Type 90 (B) "Fuji"
Type 10 MBT  TKX (P)* · TKX* · Type 10
Other  Ka-Chi
USA  ▅M4A3 (76) W · ▅M47
  *Prototype