If there was an award for the more futuristic-looking combat vehicle in existence, it would likel go to the the Type 87 AW self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, whose robot-like turret earned it the nickname 'Guntank' after a popular mecha from a Gundam anime series. The Type 87 was designed to replace the old M42 Duster SPAAGs with a more modern design, which ended up being based on a modified chassis of the Type 74 tank mated with a new turret. The turret is equipped with two Oerlikon 35-mm KDA cannons, each mounted on the side of the turret in an arrangement similar to the German Gepard. These can fire HE, APHE, and APDS-T rounds which, like most SPAAGs, highlights its dual use as a fire support platform. Unlike the Gepard, however, both the search and tracking radars are mounted on the rear part of the turret, these being distinguished by their horizontal and dish shapes respectively. An optical sighting system is also provided for backup, and it is also equipped with low-light TV and infrared sights and a laser rangefinder. There is no defensive armament, although smoke grenade launchers are provided. The Type 87 entered JGSDF service in the late 1980s but given the country's ban on military exports, only a small number were produced for domestic use. It remains in service.

The first prototype of a successor to the M42 was completed in 1978, followed a more definitive prototype in 1983 before entering production as the Type 87 AW. No variants aside from the original model have been built.