Combat vehicles / Logistics vehicles / Isuzu SKW

Isuzu SKW

General Facts

  • TYPE
    Tactical truck

  • ORIGIN
    Japan

  • NICKNAMES
    Type 73 - Japanese service

  • DESIGNED
    Late 1960's - early 1970's

  • DESIGNER
    Isuzu

  • PRODUCTION
    1973 - present

  • PRODUCERS
    Japan - Isuzu

  • QUANTITY
    Unknown

  • UNIT COST
    Unknown

  • CHARACTERISTICS
    Low production costs
    Rugged and reliable
    Small silhouette with cab lowered
    Limited power in early models
    Lack of ergonomics

Introduction

The Isuzu SKW is a tactical truck of Japanese origin. It was developed by Isuzu in the late 1960's to replace the previous range of 2.5 t trucks in Japanese service. The SKW is best known as the Type 73 in Japanese service. The design has been updated three times in order to provide improved performance. Despite the upgrades the Type 73 designation remains unchanged, mostly because the capabilities and performance remain similar.

Layout

The SKW is a 3.5 t tactical truck that is based on a commercial truck chassis. Even though the design was improved in many areas for military use it uses many off the shelf parts. The SKW features a 6x6 chassis with a forward control cab mounted on top of the engine. Most SKW have single rear tires with a few specialist models having double rear tires. On all three models the cab roof can be removed and the wind shield lowered for a reduced silhouette. The SKW series is unarmed and has no armor or NBC system.

Cargo capacity

The SKW chassis can be fitted with a lot of body types including cargo, dump truck, crane, shelter, tanker and wrecker. The cargo versions may carry 6 t over roads and 3.5 t off road. The tanker versions may carry up to 5.000 liters of fuel or water. It is also used as the launch vehicle for the Tan-SAM missile system.

Mobility

The all wheel drive system gives the SKW a reasonable cross country performance. Early models had a maximum speed of 90 km/h while late models can achieve 105 km/h. Early models had a 210 or 250 hp V6 diesel engine and manual transmission. The late production models feature a 286 hp V8 diesel and automatic transmission.

Users

The SKW is only used by Japan and has not been exported. It is in use with all branches of the military. Most early models are being replaced by late production models guaranteeing its service life for many years to come.

Variants

SKW 440-series

The original model Type 73 truck is the SKW 440 series. It can be identified by the very sloped cab and square engine air intake. The SKW 441 is a slightly modified model. The SKW 440 chassis has been used for a wide range of applications.

SKW 440M: Cargo truck with tarpaulin cover.
SKW 440MW: Cargo truck with winch.
SKW 440MV: Cargo truck with crane.
SKW 440MR: Light wrecker.
SKW 440MD: Dump truck.
SKW 440MV: Tanker for water, fuel or aviation fuel.

TypeTactical truck
Crew2 (driver, passenger)
Length6.67 m
Width2.41 m
Height3.02 m
Ground clearance0.27 m
Weight6.8 t empty, 10.5 t combat load, 13.0 t max on road
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 6x6, 3.26 + 1.19 m wheelbase, 1.82 m track, 9.00 x 20 tires
Turn radius9.2 m
EngineModel 8PC1 V6 diesel, 210 hp at 2.200 rpm
Power ratio16.2 hp/t
TransmissionManual, 5 forward, 1 reverse
Speed90 km/h on road
Fuel140 L
Range500 km
Wall?
Trench?
Gradient?
Fording0.8 m
ArmorNo
NBC equipmentNo
Night visionNo
SmokeNo
Remarks6 t max cargo, 3.5 t off road, 6 t max towed load
Armament-
Weapon1-
Weapon2-
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-
TypeDump truck
Crew2 (driver, passenger)
Length6.89 m
Width2.43 m
Height3.17 m
Ground clearance0.27 m
Weight7.8 t empty, 11.5 t combat load, 13.0 t max on road
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 6x6, 3.26 + 1.19 m wheelbase, 1.82 m track, 9.00 x 20 tires
Turn radius9.2 m
EngineModel 8PC1 V6 diesel, 210 hp at 2.200 rpm
Power ratio16.2 hp/t
TransmissionManual, 5 forward, 1 reverse
Speed90 km/h on road
Fuel140 L
Range500 km
Wall?
Trench?
Gradient?
Fording0.8 m
ArmorNo
NBC equipmentNo
Night visionNo
SmokeNo
Remarks5 t max load, 3.5 t off road, 6 t max towed load
Armament-
Weapon1-
Weapon2-
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-
TypeFuel truck
Crew2 (driver, passenger)
Length7.01 m
Width2.43 m
Height2.77 m
Ground clearance0.27 m
Weight7.6 t empty, 12.9 t max on road
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 6x6, 3.26 + 1.19 m wheelbase, 1.82 m track, 9.00 x 20 tires
Turn radius9.4 m
EngineModel 8PC1 V6 diesel, 210 hp at 2.200 rpm
Power ratio16.3 hp/t
TransmissionManual, 5 forward, 1 reverse
Speed90 km/h on road
Fuel140 L
Range500 km
Wall?
Trench?
Gradient?
Fording0.6 m
ArmorNo
NBC equipmentNo
Night visionNo
SmokeNo
Remarks5.100 kg max fuel
Armament-
Weapon1-
Weapon2-
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-
TypeRecovery vehicle
Crew2 (driver, passenger)
Length7.51 m
Width2.43 m
Height2.92 m
Ground clearance0.27 m
Weight12.6 t empty, 12.8 t combat load
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 6x6, 3.26 + 1.19 m wheelbase, 1.82 m track, 9.00 x 20 tires
Turn radius9.4 m
EngineModel 8PC1 V6 diesel, 210 hp at 2.200 rpm
Power ratio16.5 hp/t
TransmissionManual, 5 forward, 1 reverse
Speed90 km/h on road
Fuel140 L
Range500 km
Wall?
Trench?
Gradient?
Fording0.8 m
ArmorNo
NBC equipmentNo
Night visionNo
SmokeNo
Remarks-
Armament-
Weapon1-
Weapon2-
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-

SKW 464-series

The SKW 461 to 464 range of trucks was introduced in 1989. They are improved versions of the SKW 440, with the SKW 464 being the most common. This series can be identified by its less sloped cab and wide engine air intake. The main improvements are the more powerful 250 hp engine, improved braking and larger cab. The SKW 464 was not produced in the same quantity as the earlier SKW 440, but was produced in a near similar amount of versions.

SKW 464M: Cargo truck with tarpaulin cover.
SKW 464MW: Cargo truck with winch.
SKW 464MV: Tanker for water, fuel or aviation fuel.
SKW 464MR: Light wrecker.
SKW 464MD: Dump truck

TypeRecovery vehicle
Crew3 (driver, 2 passengers)
Length7.81 m
Width2.49 m
Height3.06 m
Ground clearance0.33 m
Weight14.2 t empty, 14.4 t combat load
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 6x6, 3.40 + 1.31 m wheelbase, 1.84 m track, 11.00 x 20 tires
Turn radius9.4 m
EngineIsuzu V6 diesel, 250 hp at 2.200 rpm
Power ratio17.4 hp/t
TransmissionManual, 5 forward, 1 reverse
Speed95 km/h on road
Fuel170 L
Range500 km
Wall?
Trench?
Gradient?
Fording0.8 m
ArmorNo
NBC equipmentNo
Night visionNo
SmokeNo
Remarks-
Armament-
Weapon1-
Weapon2-
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-

SKW 475 series

The SKW 475 is the latest version of the Type 73 truck and was introduced in 1999. The SKW 475 features a totally new cab, a more powerful 286 hp engine and an automatic gearbox. It retains the ability to remove the cab and lower the windshield. The SKW 475 is to replace most previous Type 73 models and is produced in the same variants as the earlier models.

SKW 475M: Cargo truck with tarpaulin cover.
SKW 475MW: Cargo truck with winch.
SKW 475MV: Cargo truck with crane.
SKW 475MD: Dump truck.
SKW 475MV: Tanker for water, fuel or aviation fuel.

TypeTactical truck
Crew3 (driver, 2 passengers)
Length7.15 m
Width2.49 m
Height3.15 m
Ground clearance0.33 m
Weight8.6 t empty, 11.2 t combat load, 14.7 t max on road
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 6x6, 3.40 + 1.31 m wheelbase, 1.84 m track, 11.00 x 20 tires
Turn radius9.2 m
EngineModel 8PE1 V8 diesel, 286 hp at 2.300 rpm
Power ratio19.4 hp/t
TransmissionAutomatic, 6 forward, 1 reverse
Speed105 km/h on road
Fuel190 L
Range500 km
Wall?
Trench?
Gradient?
Fording0.8 m
ArmorNo
NBC equipmentNo
Night visionNo
SmokeNo
Remarks6 t max cargo, 3.5 t off road, 6 t max towed load
Armament-
Weapon1-
Weapon2-
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-
TypeDump truck
Crew3 (driver, 2 passengers)
Length7.29 m
Width2.49 m
Height3.40 m
Ground clearance0.33 m
Weight10.2 t empty, 12.9 t combat load, 15.4 t max on road
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 6x6, 3.40 + 1.31 m wheelbase, 1.84 m track, 11.00 x 20 tires
Turn radius9.2 m
EngineModel 8PE1 V8 diesel, 286 hp at 2.300 rpm
Power ratio18.6 hp/t
TransmissionAutomatic, 6 forward, 1 reverse
Speed105 km/h on road
Fuel190 L
Range500 km
Wall?
Trench?
Gradient?
Fording0.8 m
ArmorNo
NBC equipmentNo
Night visionNo
SmokeNo
Remarks5 t max load, 3.5 t off road, 6 t max towed load
Armament-
Weapon1-
Weapon2-
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-
TypeFuel truck
Crew3 (driver, 2 passengers)
Length7.31 m
Width2.49 m
Height2.87 m
Ground clearance0.33 m
Weight9.5 t empty, 14.8 t combat load
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 6x6, 3.40 + 1.31 m wheelbase, 1.84 m track, 11.00 x 20 tires
Turn radius9.2 m
EngineModel 8PE1 V8 diesel, 286 hp at 2.300 rpm
Power ratio19.4 hp/t
TransmissionAutomatic, 6 forward, 1 reverse
Speed105 km/h on road
Fuel190 L
Range500 km
Wall?
Trench?
Gradient?
Fording0.8 m
ArmorNo
NBC equipmentNo
Night visionNo
SmokeNo
Remarks5.100 kg max fuel
Armament-
Weapon1-
Weapon2-
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-

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