In the final months of World War II, Japan faced the threat of a direct invasion of its territory (Operation Downfall). Allied troops would deploy medium tanks such as the M4 Sherman and heavy tanks such as the M26 Pershing, which Japanese armaments could not effectively counter.
Inspired by Allied and German success with weapons such as the American Bazooka and the German Panzerschreck, Japanese engineers initiated several projects for portable anti-tank rocket launchers.
One of these was the 70mm Type 4, which entered limited production. However, as a direct response to the increasing armor of enemy tanks, the Japanese developed, while still in the prototype stage, the Type 4 9cm (90mm)—a more powerful launcher designed for defensive use.
Technical Characteristics (estimated)
Specification Approx. Details
Full name: Type 4 9cm AT Rocket Launcher
Type: Prototype HEAT rocket launcher
Caliber: 90 mm (some sources: 93.5 mm)
Warhead type: HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank)
Estimated penetration: ~120 mm of RHA steel
Projectile velocity: ~106 m/s
Effective range: 100–150 m
Warhead weight: 8.6 kg (with ~1.6 kg of explosive)
Weapon weight: ~10–12 kg
Firing system: Open tube recoilless firing
Sighting system: Simple, similar to the Panzerschreck
Tripod or folding mount
I mean the only BR 4 tank it will possibly struggle with is the Jumbo, but as long as you fire from an even slightly elevated position, it will be fine.
Otherwise BR5, the Super Pershing is the only tank that could be classed as realistically frontally immune to it.
I do say this tbf, even as all other AT that is 120mm-ish pen is BR3. However I sit on the, up most AT weapons up by 1BR, side of things. I dont think tanks shouldnt be as vulnerable frontally as they are currently, at least as they are since next to none, have a hull gunner, and certainly no hull gunners that work autonomously.
In my opinion Ofenrohr and M2 sawed-off carbine should be removed from Japan’s TT and Japanese faction, there are some options for the BR4 AT weapon and SMg and BR5 assault rifle
It’s the BR3 AT weapon for Japan, it penetrates a little less than the M9 Bazzoka but it has some options for a BR4 AT weapon for Japan better than a German weapon Lol
That for br3 and the Ji-Te Dan Type 97 Shaped Charge Grenade for br4 (~200mm of pen from what I’ve heard) would’ve been perfect, it’s sad copy paste has become the way
