Type 75 MLRS

Description

The Type 75 MLRS is a system that launches multiple rockets based on a prototype of the Type 73 APC hull to provide a 30-barrel 130 mm Type 75 rocket launch system.

It was introduced in Update 1.83 "Masters of the Sea". Being an MLRS, it may seem like a gimmicky vehicle, but it has a large payload in its 130 mm rockets. It is similar to a Ho-Ro but without the need to reload the next shell and with good ballistics that make it rather easy to use.

General info

Survivability and armour

While the armour is light, it provides enough frontal protection against MGs up to 12.7 mm but only frontally. The 3 crew members all sit in the front with the gunner sitting next to the engine which would protect him from MG fire from the left.

Armour type:

• Rolled homogeneous armour
• Gun steel (Rocket rack)

Notes:

• Belly armour is 10 mm thick.
• Suspension wheels and bogies are 10 mm thick, while tracks are 15 mm thick.

Mobility

Modifications and economy

Armaments

Main armament

Notes:

• The Reloading rate affects the speed at which each rocket is resupplied when standing on a friendly captured point.
• The primary weapon has a fire rate of 144 rounds per minute: this equals to an interval of around 0.42 seconds between each rocket fired.

Ammunition

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Type 75 MLRS

• Rockets deplete from right to left, top row first and then bottom row.
• It is not possible to select how many rockets to bring into battle.

Machine guns

Usage in battles

The Type 75 MLRS is best played as a support vehicle. It can be used to sneak up on the enemy from a distance and destroying them with a few rockets. The rockets detonate on contact, so beware of bushes, trees and other obstacles. The chance of missing is quite high, so it will require multiple rockets. When a teammate is in danger, you can use your rockets to effectively suppress the enemy. Try to shoot your rockets between the turret and the hull like a HE shell, causing either the enemy ammunition to explode or knocking out the entire crew by overpressure. The side armour is thin enough, that APHE shells won't detonate inside your tank and will just go through. When a tank destroyer with thick frontal armour appears frontally, try to shoot at the commander's cupola or the ground under the belly armour. Having an almost non-existent reload between rockets is a huge advantage over other vehicles. The biggest disadvantage is the non-existent gun depression.

Since the launcher itself is also the ammunition store, it is exposed to everything. When only one of the 30 rockets gets destroyed in the rack, the entire ammo will explode, causing a knock out. When you've expended almost all rockets, stop the attack and retreat with one or two rockets left to defend yourself when necessary and drive to a captured point to reload your rack (RB).

The frontal armour can withstand rifle-calibre machine gun fire and sometimes 12.7 mm heavy machine guns when slightly angled, but not 20 mm autocannons so do not meet enemies in close-quarters. Avoid open fields at all costs, since the armour will not withstand any strafings or bombs from any plane at all or enemy artillery.

Open-topped vehicles or light armoured vehicles can either be destroyed by the 12.7 mm machine gun. The 12.7 mm machine gun sits on a separate commander hatch and will be helpful to destroy low-flying planes.

Enemies worth noting:

• Jagdpanther - No turret and no commander's cupola and basically a big upper front plate with no weak spots will make it a strong enemy for the MLRS when faced frontal. There are 3 options to destroy the Jagdpanther frontally. But before you start any of these options, try to take out its main cannon. One until 3 rockets detonating near the cannon should be enough to destroy it if you don't hit the gun directly. Do not hesitate. The Jagdpanther could have enemy teammates nearby or an advanced crew to repair the cannon in a short time, so you have to destroy him quickly. Shoot on the ground, where the Jagdpanther is standing. Its belly armour is thin enough, that the explosive filler won't have any trouble penetrating it. The overpressure will do the rest and if not, shoot more rockets. But remember, that you have no depression, so wobbling your hull will be required.. Shoot at the top. Its armour on the top is visible. It may require multiple rockets, since one or more will most likely bounce off the top. A successful detonation on the top will reward you with a knock-out for the enemy crew. Shoot between tracks and hull. This option requires the most rockets. Not only will you immobilize the Jagdpanther if you shoot its tracks, but also sometimes a successful knockout. When only a bit of the side armour gets hit by 2 or 3 rockets, the crew will most likely get knocked out. All the options stay the same when an enemy Bfw. Jagdpanther appears.
• AMX-50 Foch - A huge cupola is the weak spot for high explosive ammunition. Type 75 MLRS rockets included. What you should be aware of is its 15 mm MG 151, which can penetrate you frontally and even when slightly angled. Taking out its main gun, then the machine gun, and then focussing on the cupola is the safest way to go.
• Strv 103A - A very low profile and a tiny commander's cupola can make it very challenging to destroy it frontally. Especially when the engine compartment is on the front and protects the crew more. Try to take out its cannon, and then wiggle your hull to shoot at him when close distance, and one successful hit on the small commander's cupola will usually destroy it.
• Vehicles with autocannons - Since your strongest armour is a 20 mm plate angled, any vehicle with an auto cannon with a caliber above 12.7 mm can easily destroy you in few seconds. When seeing contact, shoot your rockets at it as quickly as possible. Even when you have to empty your entire rack but in most cases you don't have to since in most cases one direct hit or a detonation near it will destroy it from overpressure. Do not underestimate these vehicles. If necessary, shoot your 12.7 machine gun and your rockets at the same time.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Very mobile when driving on flat terrain
• The rockets can be continuously fired until the ammo rack is empty
• If a rocket hit anywhere next to the enemy tank's armour weak spots, it is very likely to knock the entire compartment out with overpressure

Cons:

• While rockets are protected by the launcher's panels to some extent and will likely just break on kinetic ammo hit, a direct hit of chemical warhead will likely detonate them, destroying the vehicle
• It is possible for rockets to hit obstacles next to the tank and destroy it by accident
• Launcher depression does not exist on this tank, fighting on uneven terrain without setup or long range will result in almost guaranteed defeat
• Default sights are not helpful for accurately firing rockets; requires user to install a user-made scope that provides firing solutions

History

In the mid-60s, the Japanese Military Administration made the decision to boost their Self-Defense Forces' power with a mobile MLRS on a tracked chassis. As a base, it was suggested that the promising tracked armoured personnel carrier, that was at the time being developed by the Mitsubishi company, be used. The military vehicle was subsequently put into service under the designation Type 73 APC and became a base for a whole series of assault and support vehicles of the Japanese army. In order to equip their army with a modern multiple rocket launcher system, the Japanese used an APC as a base to develop the brand new Type 75 MLRS, as well as two other support vehicles – a mobile weather station and a command vehicle – to ensure the launcher's combat readiness. The Type 75 was put into service in 1975 and built up serially to 1985 inclusive. The vehicle fired at its opponents using its 130 mm rockets located on 30 launching tubes inside a rotating pod (the horizontal guidance angle was 50 degrees). The Type 75 had a three-man crew and could reach a speed of 50 km/h.

-From Devblog

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Type 75 MLRS from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

See also

Other vehicles derived from the Type 73 chassis

• SUB-I-II
• Type 75 SPH

External links

• [Devblog] Type 75 Multiple Rocket Launcher: Explosive Hailstorm