In 1974, two wheeled reconnaissance vehicles were designed to meet the requirements of the Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force.

The 4x4 vehicle was designed and built by Komatsu Seisaku-Jyo while the 6x6 vehicle was designed and built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. After trials it was decided to concentrate on the 6 x 6 model.

There have been two models of the 6x6 vehicle developed, a reconnaissance/patrol vehicle and a command and communications vehicle. The reconnaissance patrol vehicle is being built by Komatsu Limited and ¥342 million was allocated in the 1978 budget for the construction of two prototype vehicles. The reconnaissance and patrol vehicle was type classified as the Type 87 and is covered in the previous entry.

The command and communications vehicle was developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. A total of ¥456 million was allocated in the 1978 budget for the construction of four prototypes. The first prototypes were completed in 1980. A total of 250 vehicles will be produced at a unit cost of ¥58 million. Eighty per cent of its components will be identical to those used in the 6x6 reconnaissance patrol vehicle. This was subsequently standardised as the Type 82 command and communications vehicle.

By early 1999, it is estimated that the Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force had taken delivery of at least 230 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Type 82 command and communications vehicles.

The hull of the Type 82 command and communications vehicle is of all-welded construction, with the driver sitting at the front of the hull on the right side. Above his position is a single-piece hatch cover with an integral periscope that can be traversed left and right. A second crew member sits to the left of the driver and over his position is a single-piece hatch cover; forward of this is a pintle-mounted 7.62 mm machine gun. The windscreens to the front and either side of this position are covered, in combat areas, by armoured shutters hinged at the top, the forward shutter being provided with two vision slits.

The engine compartment is to the rear of the front two crew members, with the air inlet and outlet louvres in the roof. There is a gangway in the right side of the hull which connects the front and rear crew compartments.

The rear crew compartment, which also houses most of the communications equipment, is raised above the roof of the vehicle and has two circular hatch covers. The left one is provided with six observation periscopes and a single piece hatch cover that opens to the rear and the right with an externally pintle-mounted 12.7 mm machine gun with a shield. It has a two-piece hatch coverthat opens left and right. Late production vehicles have been observed fitted with a larger cupola on the roof with an externally mounted 12.7 mm machine gun.

In the hull rear is a large door opening to the right on with a single firing/observation hatch opening upwards. To the rear of this door is another single firing/observation port opening upwards. In the right side of the hull, between the first and second axle, is a forward-opening door with an integral firing/ observation port that opens upwards and to the rear of this a further two firing/observation ports.

Some Type 82 command and communications vehicles have been observed without the door in the left side of the hull.

• NBC reconnaissance

An NBC reconnaissance version of the Type 82 command and communications vehicle is now in service. This has devices mounted at the rear for the collection of samples which can then be analysed

In production. In service only with Japanese Ground

Self-Defence Force. This vehicle has not been offered in the export market.