ZBD-03
| ZBD-03 | |
|---|---|
A ZBD-03 in August 2018 |
|
| General properties | |
| crew | 3 men + 5 airborne soldiers |
| length | 5.60 m |
| width | 2.6 m |
| height | 2.2 m (hydraulically adjustable) |
| Dimensions | 8.0 tons |
| Armor and armament | |
| Armor | Armor steel ; Protection against small caliber weapons |
| Main armament | 30 mm automatic cannon |
| Secondary armament | 1 × 7.62mm (coaxial) machine gun PALR HJ-73C |
| agility | |
| drive | Diesel engine 210 PS (154 kW) |
| suspension | Hydropneumatic suspension |
| Top speed | 68 km / h (road) 6 km / h (in water) |
| Power / weight | |
| Range | 600 km |
The ZBD-03 (other names Type 03 and WZ506 ) is an airborne tank of the Airborne Forces of the People's Republic of China . The first prototypes were named ZLC-2000 .
Development history
Since the mid-1990s, the People's Liberation Army is said to have been calling for a modern airborne tank in order to expand the offensive capabilities of its airborne troops. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the PRC turned to Russia for a possible purchase or even license production of a variant of the BMD line of airborne infantry fighting vehicles . The negotiations were unsuccessful, whereupon China decided to produce its own vehicle design. Around the year 2000 the Chinese armaments company Norinco presented the ZLC-2000 (industrial name: WZ506), the development of the parachute drop system K / STW-17 was completed in 2004. In the mid-2000s, the vehicle was spotted on various national and international military maneuvers.
technology
The air-cooled diesel drive unit is installed in the front right of the vehicle, the driver sits on the left and, like the commander, has night vision equipment . The turret is in the center of the vehicle, while the gunner's hatch is on the top of the turret. The troop compartment for five paratroopers is located behind the tower, which can be entered through a rear door. There are six firing openings (three on the left, two on the right and one on the door) so that paratroopers can take part in combat with their firearms while driving. The vehicle is fully amphibious , the drive in the water is provided by the chain drive . The hydropneumatic suspension can be adapted to the terrain and also minimizes the overall height of the ZBD-03 in the cargo area of the transport aircraft . Outwardly, the vehicle was similar to the Russian BMDs and is also dropped from transport aircraft with the help of several parachutes . The main arming of the ZBD-03 is a 30 mm automatic cannon and a HJ-73C -Panzerabwehrlenkwaffenstarter (three spare missiles). In the turret, which can be rotated through 360 °, there is also a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun . It is not known if the cannon is stabilized. The shooter has an optical visor with a thermal imaging channel for night combat.
Versions
The ZBD-03 is used in at least three versions:
- ZLC2000 : first generation of vehicles.
- ZBD-03 (mobile command post ) : The command and command vehicle version has a higher rear fuselage to accommodate more extensive radio technology.
- ZBD-03 (weapon carrier) : armed with the anti-tank missile system HJ-8 .
