ZBD-04

Last updated
ZBD-04
Type 04 IFV
ZBD-04A IFV 20170716.jpg
ZBD-04A at Theme Exhibition of the 90th Anniversary of Chinese People's Liberation Army.
Type Infantry fighting vehicle
Place of origin China
Service history
In service1999–present
Production history
Designed1990s
Produced1997–present
No. built2,950+ [1]
VariantsZBD-04
ZBD-04A
AFT-10 Launcher
Specifications
MassZBD-04: 20  t (22 short tons; 20 long tons)
ZBD-04A: 24  t (26 short tons; 24 long tons)
Length7.2  m (23  ft 7  in) [2]
Width3.2 m (10 ft 6 in) [2]
Height2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) [2]
Crew3
Passengers7
Armor Welded steel (ZBD-04)
Applique armor (ZBD-04A)
Explosive reactive armor (VN-12)
Main
armament
100 mm rifled gun similar to 2A70
ZPT-99 30 mm autocannon
Secondary
armament
Type 86 7.62 mm or QJT-88 5.8mm coaxial machine gun
4 × HJ-8 or HJ-10 anti-tank missiles (ZBD-04 AT or ZBD-04A AT)
EngineZBD-04: Type 6V150 diesel 440 kilowatts (590 hp)
ZBD-04A:Type 6V150 diesel 670 horsepower (500 kW)
SuspensionTorsion bar
Operational
range
500 km (310 mi)
Maximum speed ZBD-04:
65 km/h (40 mph) (road)
20 km/h (12 mph; 11 kn) (water)

ZBD-04A:

75 km/h (47 mph) (road)
6–8 km/h (3.7–5.0 mph; 3.2–4.3 kn) (water)

The ZBD-04 or Type 04 (industrial designation WZ502) [3] [4] is a Chinese infantry fighting vehicle. It bears some external resemblance to the BMP-3, particularly with regards to its turret and main armament; However, the chassis and internal subsystem possesses a different layout. The earliest prototypes received the designation ZBD-97. [5] An improved version, ZBD-04A, is the vehicle currently in service and being produced. [6]

Contents

Development

A ZBD-04 IFV during China's 60th anniversary military parade. ZBD-04 Infantry fighting vehicle during an anniversary parade.jpg
A ZBD-04 IFV during China's 60th anniversary military parade.

The ZBD-97/ZBD-04 was designed as the successor to the ZBD-86 and has been in service with the People's Liberation Army ground forces since 1999, in the armored units of the Guangzhou and Nanjing military regions. Besides the infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) variant, an armored recovery vehicle (ARV) variant is also available. A further improved variant is known as the ZBD-04A. [7]

In 1996, China imported the technologies of BMP-3M turret and weapon systems with licenses from Russia. [8] After testing, the Chinese military decided to fit the imported weapon systems with indigenously developed turrets, sensors, and chassis. The night vision system of the BMP-3M with an IR searchlight was deemed outdated and was replaced by a day/night thermal sight. Laser warning receivers, independent thermal viewers for the commander, and meteorological sensor systems were installed. [8] ZBD-04 features a fully welded turret and frontal engine compartment for more effective troop dismount operation, whereas BMP-3 has the engine situated at the rear. [9] [10]

The first prototype appeared in 1997, hence the designation ZBD-97. The design was finalized in 2004 and entered production in the same year. [8]

Design

The ZBD-04 has a crew of three (a commander, a driver, and a gunner) and can carry seven troops. The commander and gunner are seated in the two-man turret located in the middle, and the driver with one passenger is located in tandem to the left of the power compartment, located at the front right. Six infantrymen are located in the troop compartment at the rear.

There are firing ports on the left, right, and the exit door that allow infantrymen to fire assault rifles or light machine guns from inside the vehicle, even on the move. The vehicle is amphibious, featuring two water jets. [11]

Armament

The ZBD-04 turret. ZBD-04 in Beijing 02.jpg
The ZBD-04 turret.
Front view of the ZBD-04A turret, featuring weapons from left to right including 30 mm coaxial automatic cannon, 100 mm rifled gun, and 5.8mm coaxial machine gun. The Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV), gunner thermal sight, emergency daylight sight as well as laser warning receivers can be seen mounted on top of the turret. ZBD-04A Turret front 20170919.jpg
Front view of the ZBD-04A turret, featuring weapons from left to right including 30 mm coaxial automatic cannon, 100 mm rifled gun, and 5.8mm coaxial machine gun. The Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV), gunner thermal sight, emergency daylight sight as well as laser warning receivers can be seen mounted on top of the turret.

The main armament of the ZBD-04 is a two-plane stabilized, semi-automatic 100 mm rifled gun, capable of firing both HE-FRAG rounds and the 3UBK10 ATGM. The effective range of the HE-FRAG round is estimated to be 4,000 meters, with a rate of fire of 10 rounds/minute. The A270 low-pressure rifled gun can be used similarly to 2A60 mortars, sporting -8°~+60° elevation agles. The 3UBK10 ATGM and its Chinese derivate consist of a laser beam riding missile and a container case. As well as engaging armored vehicles and fortifications, the missile could also engage low-flying helicopters. The missile has a maximum range of 4,000 m and can penetrate 600 mm of armor.

Chinese engineers developed programmable airburst HE-FRAG, bunker-buster, and thermobaric shells for the rifled gun, The Chinese 3UBK10 derivate was also upgraded on the ZBD-04A with top-attack capability supported by the millimeter-wave fire-control radar mounted above the rifled gun. [8] The system can store 30 rounds of 100 mm missiles or other cartridges inside the turret. [12]

The ZBD-04 also has a coaxial ZPT-99 30 mm automatic cannon, with 500 rounds. The cannon can fire both armor-piercing (AP) and HE-FRAG rounds. It is also fitted with indigenously-developed 30 mm armor-piercing discarding sabot (APDS) and armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds. The rate of fire is 300 rounds/min and the range is 1,500 to 2,000 m. The ZBD-04 also has a Type 86 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun located to the left of the main gun. The coaxial machine gun was replaced by QJT-88 5.8 mm on the ZBD-04A. [13] [12] Certain variant of the ZBD-04 can be equipped with four HJ-8 wire-guided anti-tank missiles on both sides of the turret. [14]

On ZBD-04A, the main armament layout is kept largely the same, whilst the electronics and protections are upgraded. [8]

Electronics

On ZBD-04, the gunner has an integrated day/night thermal scope and an emergency backup day sight. The fire-control system includes a digital ballistic computer, an electro-mechanical gun stabilizer, and a laser rangefinder. The driver’s hatch mounts three periscopes, with the central periscope being able to be replaced by an image-intensifying night vision periscope. On the original ZBD-04, The commander has a combined daylight/thermal periscope and a backup day sight. [8]

On the ZBD-04A, the vehicle receives an improved thermal system, while the commander has been upgraded to an independent thermal sight that can rotate 360 degrees. [10] The digital fire control system supports "hunter-killer" and commander takeover, automatic target tracking, battle management system, and laser designator functions. [15] A millimeter-wave fire-control radar was mounted above the rifled gun to support target acquisition and missile guidance. [8]

Protection

The ZBD-04 is fitted with a collective NBC protection system, with its air filter located behind the turret to the right. There is a three-barrel smoke grenade launcher mounted on either side of the turret. The vehicle is fitted with an indigenous-made laser warning and countermeasures system. [16]

While ballistic protection is unknown, the vehicle likely has all-round protection against 14.5 mm rounds and resistance against 20–25 mm shells over the frontal arc. [4] On the ZBD-04A, the protection is further improved with appliqué armor plates, with a claimed protection level of defending 30 mm round in the front. Two additional smoke discharges are mounted on each side of the turret, for a total of 10. [17]

Mobility

ZBD-04 is powered by the modified Type 6V150 diesel engine, developing 440 kilowatts (590 hp). [8] ZBD-04A reportedly has an engine developing 670 hp. [18] The vehicle is fitted with CH600 hydraulic torque converter. [9]

The ZBD-04 has amphibious capability, designed to swim to shore from a ship. For high-speed swimming, it has two large water jet ports. [11] The ZBD-04A removed water jets to save weight in exchange for better protection, thus no longer capable of operating in the open sea. [2]

Variants

Domestic

ZBD-97
Designation for ZBD-04 prototype.
ZBD-04
Standard variant.
ZBD-04 HJ-8
Based on the original ZBD-04 with four additional HJ-8 anti-tank missiles mounted on the turret. [14]
ZBD-04A
The ZBD-04A (industrial designation WZ502G, sometimes referred to as ZBD-08) is an improved variant that sacrifices amphibious performance for better armor protection; add-on armor can be fitted, and the frontal arc can withstand 30 mm rounds along with side skirts added. Although the vehicle is still amphibious, able to propel itself by its tracks to ford lakes and rivers, it lacks waterjets and can no longer operate in open sea. [19] [2] [20]
ZBD-04A AT (AFT-10 Anti-Tank Missile Carrier)
ZBD-04A's chassis works as the mobile launching platform for AFT-10 (HJ-10) anti-tank missiles. Noted the AFT-10 is a specific version of the HJ-10 missile that is designed for firing from vehicle launching platforms such as ZBD-04A. The sensors include a thermal camera, TV camera, and a laser range finder. [21] A millimeter-wave radar system is mounted at the front-right corner of the vehicle to improve all-weather operation capability. [22]
ZBD-04A Command Vehicle
Modified from the original ZBD-04A, featuring a crew cabin with a higher ceiling.
ZBD-04A Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle
Equipped with radars and electric-optic sights for battlefield surveillance, the chassis of the Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle is modified from standard ZBD-04A. The recon equipment is mounted on a retractable mast.
ZBD-04A Armored Recovery Vehicle
Equipped with a crane for emergency vehicle service.
PLZ-07
122 mm self-propelled howitzer based on the ZBD-04 chassis. [23]

Export

VN11
Export version of the ZBD-04. [24]
VN11A
Export version of the ZBD-04A. [25]
VN12
Export variant based on ZBD-04A. [26]

Operators

Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  People's Republic of China

See also

Related development
Similar ground systems

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infantry fighting vehicle</span> Type of armored personnel carrier with direct-fire support

An infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), also known as a mechanized infantry combat vehicle (MICV), is a type of armoured fighting vehicle used to carry infantry into battle and provide direct-fire support. The 1990 Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe defines an infantry fighting vehicle as "an armoured combat vehicle which is designed and equipped primarily to transport a combat infantry squad, and which is armed with an integral or organic cannon of at least 20 millimeters calibre and sometimes an antitank missile launcher". IFVs often serve both as the principal weapons system and as the mode of transport for a mechanized infantry unit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMP-3</span> Infantry fighting vehicle

The BMP-3 is a Soviet and Russian infantry fighting vehicle, successor to the BMP-1 and BMP-2. The abbreviation BMP stands for Boevaya Mashina Pekhoty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMP-1</span> Soviet infantry fighting vehicle

The BMP-1 is a Soviet amphibious tracked infantry fighting vehicle that has been in service from 1966 to the present. BMP stands for Boyevaya Mashina Pyekhoty 1, meaning "infantry fighting vehicle, 1st serial model". The BMP-1 was the first mass-produced infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) of the Soviet Union. It was called the M-1967, BMP and BMP-76PB by NATO before its correct designation was known.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FNSS ACV-15</span> Infantry fighting vehicle

ACV-15 is the designation of an amphibious Infantry fighting vehicle family developed by the Turkish defense company FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş. This vehicle is also manufactured by DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies (DefTech). The design is an attempt to combine the capabilities of an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and an armoured personnel carrier (APC). The ACV-15 is based on the American Advanced Infantry Fighting Vehicle, which in turn is based on the American M113A1 armored personnel carrier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K21</span> South Korean infantry fighting vehicle

The K21 is a South Korean infantry fighting vehicle. A replacement for the K200-series, it was formerly designated as K300 or XK21 KNIFV. The initial production began in 2009, with the Republic of Korea Army planning to field approximately 466 units. It is designed to effectively defeat other IFVs as heavily armed and armored as the BMP-3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WZ-551</span> Armoured fighting vehicle

The WZ-551 is a Chinese wheeled infantry fighting vehicle family. The name WZ-551 actually covers two families of vehicles with the official designations in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) – Type 90 and Type 92. Over 3,000 WZ-551s are in service with the PLA, where they are used by medium mechanized infantry units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shipunov 2A42</span> Soviet autocannon

The Shipunov 2A42 is a Soviet/Russian 30 mm autocannon. It is built by the Tulamashzavod Joint Stock Company and named after A. G. Shipunov.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type 89 AFV</span> Armoured personnel carrier

The Norinco Type 89 tracked armoured fighting vehicle is a Chinese armoured personnel carrier. It was developed from the earlier export market Type 85 AFV vehicle. It entered service in the late 1990s and was first shown publicly in 1999. There are approximately 1,000 in service. It has the industrial index of WZ534 and although it was mainly developed for the PLA, there is also an export version YW534.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type 05 amphibious fighting vehicle</span> Chinese amphibious fighting vehicle

The Type 05 amphibious armored vehicle is a family of amphibious tracked armored fighting vehicles developed by Norinco for the People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps, consisting of two main combat variants — the ZBD-05 infantry fighting vehicle and the ZTD-05 assault vehicle, as well as several support variants based on the ZBD-05. The Type 05s could be launched at sea from an amphibious assault ship over the horizon, and features a hydroplane, a design concept that has been compared to the cancelled United States Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HJ-10</span> Chinese anti-tank missile

HJ-10 is a Chinese ground-launched anti-tank missile developed by Norinco. It has a tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead, that may penetrate 1,400 mm (55 in) of conventional steel armour protected by explosive reactive armour. The maximum range is 10 km (6.2 mi), with pre- or post-launch lock-on.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PLZ-07</span> Self-propelled artillery

The PLZ-07 or Type 07 is a Chinese 122 mm self-propelled artillery made by the China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO). The PLZ-07 self-propelled howitzer was first unveiled to the public during the military parade celebrating 60th anniversary of the PLA on 1 October 2009. The PLZ-07 was developed to replace the older Type 89, Type 85 and Type 70/70-1 122 mm self-propelled artillery systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otokar Tulpar</span> Turkish infantry fighting vehicle

Tulpar is a Turkish heavy infantry fighting vehicle designed by the Sakarya-based automotive manufacturer Otokar. It is named after the Tulpar, a winged horse in Turkic mythology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type 08</span> Chinese wheeled armoured fighting vehicle family

The Type 08 is a Chinese family of modern eight-wheeled, amphibious, modular armored vehicles developed by Norinco for infantry fire support, battlefield logistics, and quick reaction operations. Developed in the early 2000s, the vehicle family were produced for more than 6,000 hulls and widely deployed by the People's Liberation Army Ground Force and People's Liberation Army Marine Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMD-4</span> Russian infantry fighting vehicle

The BMD-4 is an amphibious infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) originating from post-Cold War Russia. Originally designated as the BMD-3M, the chassis of the BMD-4 is the same as that of the BMD-3 because it was developed on the same basis. This armored fighting vehicle is one of the lightest in its class, possessing a substantial amount of firepower. The vehicle was designed to transport Russian Airborne Troops (VDV), increasing its mobility, armament, and protection on the battlefield.

The Enigma is an 8×8 wheeled amphibious armored personnel carrier developed by Emirates Defense Technology in UAE. It was introduced at IDEX 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ZBD-03</span> Chinese infantry fighting vehicle

The ZBD-03 or Type 03 is a Chinese airborne infantry fighting vehicle. It features a light-weight chassis and hydropneumatic suspension for airborne operations. Early prototypes received the designation ZLC-2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type 86 (infantry fighting vehicle)</span> Infantry fighting vehicle

The Type 86, also known as WZ501, is a Chinese copy of the Soviet BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borsuk (infantry fighting vehicle)</span> Polish infantry fighting vehicle

Borsuk is an amphibious infantry fighting vehicle produced by Huta Stalowa Wola, a part of PGZ. It is designed to replace the BWP-1 IFV that has been in service with the Polish Armed Forces since 1973 but is now obsolete.

The Type 19 Infantry Fighting Vehicle is a family of eight-wheeled amphibious, modular armored vehicle of the People's Republic of China. It improves upon and replaces the Type 08 wheeled armored vehicle family.

References

  1. 1 2 International Institute for Strategic Studies: The Military Balance 2022, p.256-57
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "ZBD-08". Military-Today.
  3. ↑ "ZBD-04 ZBD97 tracked armored IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle".
  4. 1 2 Type 97 – Military-Today.com
  5. ↑ "中国的铁拳！04重型战车可横扫周边陆军强国_环球军事网". www.armystar.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23.
  6. ↑ "04A履带步兵战车受阅 系陆军复合式发展代表产物 时政 人民网". politics.people.com.cn.
  7. ↑ "People's Liberation Army Ground Forces Modernisation" (PDF).
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "大国善谋，武器维护保养换过时产品，26年后中国却玩出先进步战车". Toutiao (in Chinese). 25 August 2022.
  9. 1 2 "中国仿制俄方的04A步战车 为何运用越来越像美军了". sina news (in Chinese). 18 April 2020.
  10. 1 2 "俄军BMP3战车夜视系统竟落后中国04步战车20年". Sina news. 31 May 2017.
  11. 1 2 The Military Balance 2018 (2018 ed.). The International Institute for Strategic Studies. 14 February 2018. p. 251. ISBN   978-1857439557.
  12. 1 2 "ZBD-04". weaponsystems.net.
  13. ↑ "国产QJT式并列机枪亮相？采用5.8毫米重弹和长枪管，射程可达千米". NetEase News. 6 July 2022.
  14. 1 2 A new modification of the ZBD-04 (Type 04) — Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance BRM (China) – survincity.com
  15. ↑ "04A步战车与阿帕奇使用相同功能"神秘按钮"". Tencent News. 8 December 2015.
  16. ↑ "Type 04 Tracked Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle". globalsecurity.
  17. ↑ "ZBD04A". weaponsystems.
  18. ↑ "ZBD-04A". army technology.
  19. ↑ "Details about China's ZBD-04A Tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle". China Military Online. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  20. ↑ ZBD04A – Weaponsystems.net
  21. ↑ "AFT-10". Military Today.
  22. ↑ "红箭10导弹发射车"汇总"". SoHu News (in Chinese). 5 December 2018.
  23. ↑ "PLZ-07". Military Today.
  24. ↑ "VN11 ihracat seçeneği WZ502, Çin" (in Turkish). Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  25. ↑ "Боевая машина пехоты Norinco VN11A IFV (Китай). — 123ru.net".
  26. ↑ "VN12 Infantry Fighting Vehicle". Military-Today.com. Retrieved 2022-08-20.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.