STB-2

STB-2

STB-2

Description

The STB-2 is a rank Japanese medium tank with a battle rating of (AB), (RB), and (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai" along with the initial Japanese Ground Forces tree. The prototype of the Type 74, the STB-1 presents many features that would be in the final design.

The STB-1 is the second researchable tank in Japan's Ground Forces Rank V. Despite having considerable more armour than its comparable counterparts the Leopard 1 and AMX-30, as well as comparable mobility, it is not recommended as a front-line tank. Instead, a cautious hit-and-run tactic like the Leopards should always be employed. Using the tank's hydropneumatic suspension correctly can help with the tank's depression, and in some cases, aid in survivability. Do note that the L7 on this tank reloads significantly longer than other L7-equipped tanks.

The STB-1 is unique in being one of the only Japanese tanks that can take a hit, like the Type 4 Chi-To Late and Ho-Ri Production. It has thick frontal hull armour that can bounce shots effectively, but should not be relied on. The tank is quite fast and is further aided by the Hydropneumatic suspension, which allows this tank to manoeuvre the battlefield much like a Leopard, however the abundance of larger, more open maps at higher ranks means that getting from point A to B - and not getting shot - is not a simple as it sounds.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour	Front	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	40-80 mm (64-73°) Front glacis 100 (26°), 80 mm (58-66°)Lower glacis	35-40 mm (44°) Top 40 mm (0-55°) Bottom	25 mm (1-46°)	20 mm
Turret	132 mm (12-66°) Turret front 100-200 mm (1-66°) Gun mantlet	132 mm (1-54°) 75 mm (26-61°) Rear	40 mm (1-64°) 40 mm (36-82°) Turret underside	67 mm Front 20 mm Rear
Armour	Sides	Roof
Cupola	30 mm	30 mm

Notes:

• Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.
• Driver's vision port on the front glacis are only 50 mm thick.
• Hull roof is rated to be 54 mm effective against HE.

Mobility

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade				1,162			__.__
Realistic				663			__.__

Armaments

Main armament

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	10.80	9.55	8.80	8.30
Realistic					14.3	16.8	20.4	22.6	24.0

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
M392A2	APDS	303	302	296	277	257	252
Type 75	HESH	127	127	127	127	127	127

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile Mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
M392A2	APDS	1,478	4	N/A	N/A	N/A	75°	78°	80°
Type 75	HESH	760	10.8	0.05	0.1	3,890	73°	77°	80°

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	730	11.4	20	5	25	50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the STB-2

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
50	44 (+6)	16 (+34)	10 (+40)	1 (+49)	No

Notes:

• Hull floor empty: 16 (+34) shells
• Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
• Racks 3 and 4 are first stage ammo racks. They total 15 shells and get filled first when loading up the tank.
• These racks are also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 3 - 4 - 1 - 2.
• Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammunition from rack 1 then 2 into ready rack 4 then 3. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready racks.

Machine guns

12.7 mm M2HB
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Pintle	660 (200)	577	-10°/+40°	±180°

7.62 mm M1919A4
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Coaxial	4,500 (250)	500	N/A	N/A

Usage in battles

The STB-1 can be compared to the Leopard I or even a stock Leopard A1A1, but has its own capabilities in its own right. The STB-1 allows for both a more held down playstyle or aggressive playstyle versus the Leopard I due to its hydropneumatic suspension and two-plane stabilizer. Together with the power of the engine outfitted on the STB-1, allows it to speedily move to a nice sniper spot or hull-down position and fire at targets before they realize a tank could be there.

The STB-1 possesses a pretty nice angled upper front plate, but do keep in mind that the STB-1 wasn't designed to take a punch, only to deal a punch, so even with the good angle you shouldn't rely too heavily on it, as shells can penetrate it and won't always bounce off. Do keep this fully in mind especially when taking more shells with the vehicle, as the fuel tank next to the driver will be filled with extra shells, which can blow up the whole tank if a shell does eventually penetrate.

With the addition of a 12.7 mm machine gun, the STB-1 can make short work of ZSU's or light tanks alike if the heat of the battle doesn't allow for the main gun or in-case of more important targets requiring the main gun's firepower.

With only 2 shells to choose from being APDS & HESH, APDS can be used for long-distance engagements and HESH can deal with light to medium armoured vehicles with overpressure damage, this can be done at a long range once the laser rangefinder has been unlocked as well. But due to the low velocity of the HESH round it has to be fired at a stationary target at long range to effectively hit.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• 105 mm L7 cannon found on other NATO tanks
• 12.7 mm Browning M2HB machine gun
• Two-plane stabilizer that allows it to fire on the move
• Highly mobile, comparable to the German Leopard I
• More armour than the German Leopard (around 100 mm hull and turret)
• Armour may bounce APHE shells
• Low profile
• Utilization of hydropneumatic suspension allows for various offensive and defensive options
• Laser rangefinder

Cons:

• Poor gun elevation angle
• Reload and top speed slower than Leopard
• Other areas are lightly armoured, vulnerable to high penetrating SPAA
• Engine can be vulnerable to some aircraft with powerful guns

History

The prototype for the Type 74. Known in Japanese as 74式戦車の試作車STB-1 (ななよんしきせんしゃのしさくしゃSTB-1). Created in September 1969 along with STB-2 in the STT program. Due to issues with cost effectiveness these two prototypes were not considered for the replacement of the Type 61. In a bid to reduce costs STB-3, STB-4, STB-5 and STB-6 were produced between April 1970 to December 1971. The final judgement for the STT program was held in November 1973 which lead the line to be completed in 1974. And, production started the following year in 1975 for the Type 74.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the STB-2 from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

Leopard I vs STB-1 - War Thunder Official Channel

Top 7 off-road beasts discusses the STB-2 at 2:46 - War Thunder Official Channel

Best experimental vehicles discusses the STB-2 at 6:11 - War Thunder Official Channel

See also

Related Development

• Type 74 - (Production version)
• Type 74 (F) - (Variant allowing to equip a mine-roller)
• Type 74 (G) - (Improved (改) variant with thermal and armor skirts)

Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

• Leopard I
• AMX-30
• AMX-30 (1972)

External links

• [Profile] STB-1: Steel Ninja