• Background
• PLA Armoured and Mechanised Infantry Brigade Structures[3]
• Self-Propelled Air Defence Systems
  • Type 95 SPAAG[9]
  • Ludun 2000 / LR66 / Type 347G / 30 mm SPAAG/SPAAGM[9][36][42]
  • CSSA-1 / Type 90 35 mm SPAAG
  • TD-2000D AAGM[9]
  • HQ-7/FM-80/FM-90 / CSA-4 Crotale[9]
  • HQ-6/HQ-61[9]
  • LY-60 / HQ-64 Aspide
  • Type 89/ZSD89 Air Defence Missile Carrier[10]
  • FB-6A “Avenger” SAM System[11]
  • LS-II ADS “PLA SLAMRAAM/Chapparel” SAM System
  • FLV-1/FLG-1/FL-2000 Wheeled Air Defence Vehicle[12]
  • WZ551D Wheeled Air Defence Vehicle Launcher[14]
  • Yi Tian WZ551 Wheeled Self-Propelled Surface-to-Air Missile System[9][37]
  • Yi Tian Air Defence Battalion [37]
• COMMAND, CONTROL AND COMMUNICATIONS
  
  • Type 81 Armoured Command Vehicle
  • Type 81C Amphibious Armoured Command Vehicle[33]
  • Type 85 Armoured Command Vehicle[34]
  • Type 89 Armored Command Vehicle
  • WZ551A Armoured Command Vehicle
  • ZZM88 Armoured Cryptographic and Communications Centre Vehicle[39]
• Man Portable Air Defence Systems
  • QW-2 and HY/FN-6/FN-16 Man Portable Air Defence Systems[16]
• Large Calibre Anti-Aircraft Machine Guns
  • QJG02 14.5mm Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun
  • W95A .50in Heavy Machine Gun[19]
  • QJZ89 12.7mm x 108mm Heavy Machine Gun[20]
  • QJC 88 12.7 x 108mm cupola anti-aircraft machine gun[21]
  • Type 85 12.7mm x 108mm Heavy Machine Gun[22]
  • Type 77 12.7 x 108mm Heavy Machine Gun[23]
  • Type 58 Twin 14.5 x 114mm Anti-Aircraft Gun System[40]
  • Type 56 Quad 14.5 x 114mm Anti-Aircraft Gun System[41]
• Heavy Machine Gun Cartridges[24]
  • Colour Identification of Chinese Small Arms Cartridges from 1958-1987[25]
  • Chinese Military Heavy Machine Gun Cartridges Issued 1950-1987[26]
  • 12.7 x 99 Browning Machine Gun Cartridges
  • Type 54 12.7 x 108mm 
  • DV06 12.7 x 108mm dual projectile[27]
  • 12.7 x 108mm Helicopter Cartridges
  • Type 56 14.5 x 114mm[29]
  • Type 91 14.5 x 114mm APDS
  • DGJ02 AP-T 14.5 x 114mm[30] 
  • DGE02 APHEI 14.5 x 114mm[31]
  • M203 API-T 14.5 x 114mm
  • CS/BFD06 14.5 x 114mm  
• Endnotes/References

Background

With the operational art of the PLA now firmly rooted in the concepts and doctrine of modular forces creating independent battle groups within the division, augmenting it seamlessly with heavier forces.^[1] 

Battle groups are generally based around a battalion and the PLA is going towards a three-level command structure of corps, brigade and battalion.  The divisional structure remains for administration in many military regions containing brigades instead of regiments to accommodate the battle group concept. The idea behind brigade and battle groups is to ‘adapt to informationalised warfare and to enable more rapid decision making on the battlefield’.^[2] 

In the PLA, the primary difference between a regiment and a brigade is that the brigade is capable of independent operations whereas a regiment is directly subordinate to the division, as it does not have the headquarters staff to carry out independent operations.

PLA Armoured and Mechanised Infantry Brigade Structures^[3]

The People’s Liberation Army’s 112th Mechanised Infantry Division was the first unit using the new structure and when unveiled in 2006 is claimed by the PLA to be two generations ahead of its predecessor.^[4]  The division is organised and equipped to fight as independent battle groups on mountainous and urban terrain, its equipment being lighter in weight and firepower than those of the PLA’s divisions tasked to defend the nation against aggressors equipped with main battle tanks. Its theatres of operation are Xinjiang and Tibet where the division’s lighter vehicles and support weapons can operate in areas where the communications infrastructure can be described as poor at best.     

There are three mechanized infantry companies to the battalion and three battalions to the brigade with three brigades in the division giving a total of 351 Type 86 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). These are supported by an artillery brigade of 72 PLZ89 122mm self-propelled guns and a tank battalion of 99 Type 96 main battle tanks.  Type 89 armoured command vehicles are liberally provided throughout the division down to the company level to provide command and control.   Intelligence and electronic warfare assets are held at the divisional level in a battalion and distributed as required.  Although described as a light division the PLA generally classes wheeled units as light and tracked units as heavy.

The new mechanised infantry brigade has four mechanised infantry battalions, one armoured battalion, one fire support battalion, one engineer battalion and one communication battalion.  Each mechanised infantry battalion has three mechanised infantry companies, each of three platoons with each company having 13 infantry fighting vehicles; four in each platoon and one headquarters vehicle. 

Each armoured brigade has three armoured battalions for a total of 99 main battle tanks, one mechanised infantry battalion, one artillery battalion with 18 self-propelled guns and one air defence battalion of 18 AAA guns.  Each armoured battalion has three armoured companies, each of three platoons with each company having 11 main battle tanks; three in each platoon and two headquarters vehicles.  There are no tanks at the battalion or brigade headquarters.  A complete armoured brigade contains 2,200 soldiers.^[5]

The Type 86 infantry fighting vehicle, a Chinese copy of the Russian BMP-1, is being updated by replacing its existing 73mm low velocity gun turret with the new Chinese one man ‘universal turret’ containing a 30mm chain gun which has impressive performance against light armour, can disable many main battle tanks, and can be used in an anti-helicopter role.^[6]

The other combat tracked vehicles in the division, other than the tanks, are based on the indigenous Type 89 armoured fighting vehicles.  The support company of the battalion comprises one 100mm mortar company of 10 vehicles with one mortar per vehicle and a fire control vehicle, an automatic grenade launcher (AGL) platoon in two vehicles with two AGLs each; one anti-tank platoon in two vehicles sharing three anti-tank guided missile systems, normally the Hong Jian 8. There are a total of 18 Type 89 series armoured vehicles in each brigade providing 54 anti-tank guided missile systems in the division.

The wheeled units are equipped with the WZZ551 family of vehicles. In 1990 the first vehicle was introduced into service as the Type 90 (WZ551A) IFV was equipped with turreted 25mm automatic cannon, and in 1992 the Type 92 (WZ 551B) was introduced as a cheaper APC with the semi-open turret used on the ZSD89 APC. The WZ551D air defence version using the heat seeking PL-9 point defence SAM round was developed but not put into production.  The Type 02 assault gun mounting a 100mm high velocity gun in a turret is in service and the self-propelled gun version mounting the same gun as on the PLZ89 is due into service shortly.

The division headquarters comprises an engineer battalion, an electronic warfare battalion, a chemical defence battalion, the division headquarters (company sized), an air defence troop and a guard company for HQ protection.  Logistics is provided by corps assets attached to the battle groups as required. 

Mechanised formations based on this model are well equipped with organic air defence assets, intended to deploy with the units and provide mobile point and limited area defence capabilities against opposing aircraft and helicopters.

Within each mechanised infantry battalion there is an air defence platoon of three vehicles with four Hongqi6 (HY-6) man portable air defence system (MANPADS) missile launchers per Type 89 APC vehicle, for a total of twelve.   A division has 27 air defence vehicles and has 108 Hongqi6 MANPADS available for air defence at any time.  They come under operational control of the air defence brigade commander.     

The divisional air defence brigade comprises one battalion of 24 towed 57mm anti-aircraft guns and one battalion of 18 towed twin 37mm anti-aircraft guns.  An air defence platoon of six Type 95 self-propelled combination AAA/SAM vehicles and one of light surface-to-air missiles are attached to the artillery brigade. 

The Type 95 SPAAG/SAM system uses the same hull as the PLZ89 122mm self-propelled gun, with a turret mounting four 25mm automatic cannon and can be fitted with four QW-2 IR-homing, short-range surface-to-air missiles, the Chinese equivalent of the Russian Igla-1 (SA-16 Gimlet).

Self-Propelled Air Defence Systems

Type 95 SPAAG^[9]

The Type 95 SPAAG is a PLA attempt to produce a capability equivalent to the ZSU-23-4M4, providing a mix of gun and heatseeking missile armament. The system is equipped with a CLC-1 search radar, claimed to operate in the S-band. Target tracking is provided a thermal imaging and TV system with a laser rangefinder.

The Type 95 is armed with four gas operated 25 mm guns, providing an aggregate rate of fire up to 1600 rounds/min, and up to four QW-2 heatseeking missiles, based on the PLA MANPADS, can be carried. Accompanied by a battery acquisition and command vehicle equipped with a CLC-2 search and acquisition radar with its large antenna, an air defence battery of six Type 95 SPAAGs is used to protect divisional artillery assets.  To simplify maintenance the Type 95 uses the same standard hull as PLA artillery vehicles including the Type 83 152mm and PLZ-89 122mm self-propelled guns, the PLZ89 122m self-propelled anti-tank gun and the PHZ89 122mm self-propelled multiple rocket launcher. 

Type 95 SPAAG firing with guns elevated and CLC-1 radar stowed.

Type 95 battery command vehicle with CLC-2 search radar deployed (above) and stowed (below).

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Ludun 2000 / LR66 / Type 347G / 30 mm SPAAG/SPAAGM^[9][36][42]

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LD-2000 demonstrator during trials.

The Ludun-2000 is a Chinese copy of the Thales Nederland Goalkeeper 30 mm close-in weapons system (CIWS) mounted on the rear a 8 x 8 single cab flat bed truck and generator and system container behind the cabin. 

The Type 730B gun is a copy of the General Electric GAU-8 30 mm x 173 mm seven-barrel Avenger gun used on the A-10.   It fires at 4,200 rounds-per-minute with the APDS round having a muzzle velocity of 1,150m/sec and the HE cartridge of 920m/sec.  There are two 500 round cylindrical magazines either side of the gun.
 
The system can intercept targets flying at a velocity of Mach 2 or below. Although a target can be optically tracked up to 18 km, a cruise missile with a radar cross section of approximately 0.1 m² can be detected at 12 km, optically tracked using a charge coupled device at five km.  The gun has a maximum effective range of 2.5 km, its intercept engagement range between 1000 to 1,500 m and a maximum ground range of 3,000 m.  The response time of 9.8 sec is given the system is able to simultaneously track and prioritise 48 targets. 
 
In the anti-aircraft role, the Ludun-2000 system is claimed to be as effective as a battalion of 18 Type 65 twin 37mm anti-aircraft guns.  In the counter rocket and mortar (C-RAM) role, it is claimed that when cued by an AN/TPQ-37 Block 1B Firefinder artillery locating radar of between 60 to 70 percent of 60 mm and 81 mm mortar rounds, and there is enough ammunition for 50 engagements against mortars and rockets. The PLA employs the SLC-2 which is an improved clone of the TPQ-37 series.

By design, the LD-2000 is essentially a land based derivative of the existing PLAN Type 730 CIWS, itself modelled on the closed loop tracking US Phalanx CIWS and EU Goalkeeper CIWS.

Production vehicles are intended to be based on the Wanshan WS-2400 chassis, common to the HQ-9 SAM system. The engagement and tracking radar as yet undesignated, operates in the Ku-Band.

More recent imagery depicts the addition of a mast mounted search radar and six launch tubes for the TY-90 Surface-to-Air-Missile.

While intended to fulfill much the same role as the Russian Pantsyr S1 / SA-22 system, the LD-2000 is hampered by older technology acquisition and engagement radar technology in comparison with its Russian competitor. The cited use of SLC-2 / AN/TPQ-37 Block 1B Firefinder artillery locating radar indicates an intent to address this capability limitation. This radar is however optimised for the CBR role, which differs in geometry from the Counter-PGM roles.

This will limit the system's ability to acquire and track low signature targets, especially guided weapons. To date no evidence has emerged showing the integration of extant PESA air defence engagement radars such as the H-200 or SJ-231 with the LD-2000 system, both of these radars providing the power-aperture performance and beam-steering agility required to make the LD-2000 genuinely effective in killing salvoes of  high angle low signature smart munitions. A single H-200 or SJ-231 supporting three, four or six LD-2000 fire units makes for a formidable point defence capability.

Current acquisition radar technology does not preclude further development of this system as China's industry eventually masters PESA and AESA antenna technology. A mature LD-2000 variant has the potential to be a very effective terminal defence weapon against supersonic and subsonic guided weapons.

LD-2000 demonstrator image from Norinco brochure.

LD-2000 SPAAGM variant with six TY-90 launch tubes, on WS-2400 chassis. Elevating acquisition radar appears to be a variant of the YJ-17 series.

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CSSA-1 / Type 90 35 mm SPAAG

---

Recently unveiled, the CSSA-1 is a self-propelled variant of the Type 90 35 mm AAA system, previously only available as a towed AAA piece. The system is based on a licensed Oerlikon GDF-002, and is credited with a 1175 m/s muzzle velocity, 3200 metre effective range, and 2 x 500 rounds/min rate of fire, with 360° traverse and +92° to -5° elevation. A Type 902 engagement radar is usually associated with the Type 90 AAA system, based on the Oerlikon Skyguard I/II system. The Super Fledermaus / Skyguard radar and GDF guns were used in the German Gepard SPAAG.

Type 90 35 mm towed AAA gun, deployed and stowed.

Oerlikon-Contraves GDF/Skyguard III 35 mm gun and engagement sensor, comprising acquisition and engagement radars and electro-optical tracker (Rheinmetall/Oerlikon).

The Type 902 radar system is claimed to be based on the depicted Skyguard I/II acquisition and engagement radar system (Wikipedia image)

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TD-2000D AAGM^[9]

---

The CPMIEC TD-2000B system is an integrated package combining QW-1 or QW-2 MANPADS launchers on a vehicular chassis, towed 57 mm guns, and an acquisition/engagement radar and fire control processing package. A typical battery combines six 57 mm guns, one eight round launcher, and a single radar vehicle, equipped with what appears to be a JY-17 variant.

HQ-7/FM-80/FM-90 / CSA-4 Crotale^[9]

China continues to manufacture and export the cloned Crotale SAM. The latest HQ-7B/FM-90 Crotale variant is carried on a new Chinese designed 6 x 6 AFV chassis, replacing the cloned French  Thomson-Hotchkiss P4R chassis. Additional image [1] (via Chinese internet).

The HQ-7 is a Chinese clone of the French Thales/Thomson CSF Crotale SAM. During the 1970s the French supplied samples of the Crotale which was promptly reverse engineered. The cloned Crotale has been built in two configurations, a high mobility variant for PLA Army units on a 4 x 4 cloned French Thomson-Hotchkiss P4R armoured vehicle, and a less mobile PLA-AF air field defence system, using either a trailer or a truck platform. The Thomson-Hotchkiss P4R vehicle uses either a diesel or gasoline engine driving an alternator which powers electrical motors driving the wheels. Chinese sources sometimes label the P4R as a B-20. A naval variant of the Crotale as also been developed.

A four round elevating tube launcher turret is used, mounting the Ku-band Automatic Command to Line Of Sight monopulse radar dish antenna. Export variants are the FM-80 and improved FM-90 with a FLIR tracker and longer ranging missiles. HQ-7/FM-80/90 batteries are typically supported by an acquisition radar system, the FM-90 usually on a new design indigenous 6 x 6 light armoured personnel carrier.

The HQ-7 Crotale round on display.



FM-90 TELAR on parade in 2009 (via Chinese Internet).

FM-90 Crotale display model at Zhuhai, 2008. The acquisition radar uses a planar array with a boresighted IFF array. The engagement radar appears to be identical to the earlier FM-80 configuration (image © 2009, Zhenguan Studio).

Acquisition radar vehicles for a HQ-7/FM-80 battery. The design concept follows the Soviet Dog Ear model used with the 9K35 / SA-13 Gopher. Two radar types have been disclosed, a concave reflector design and a newer planar array design.

The earlier self propelled HQ-7/FM-80 variants employ a reverse engineered variant of the original Thomson-Hotchkiss P4R electrically driven armoured chassis which weighs in at 32,965 lb / 14,950 kg (all images Chinese internet).

Late model FM-80 Crotale launch from cloned Thomson-Hotchkiss P4R chassis.

Note the PLA-AF towed HQ-7 variant in the background, below the foreground.

HQ-6/HQ-61^[9]

The US DoD credits the PLA with 30 “HQ-6” launchers, most likely referring to the HQ-61 series point defence SAMs deployed during the 1980s. Based conceptually on the cloned  Alenia Aspide missile, itself which is based on the US RIM-7E/F Sparrow, the HQ-61 is much larger and heavier and equipped with a semi-active radar homing seeker and midcourse command link guidance. A 6x6 YanAn SX2150 truck carries two rounds on a slewable elevating launcher. Guidance is provided by the Type 571 radar system. The cumbersome HQ-61 series has been largely superceded by the HQ-7 and HQ-64 point defence SAMs.

A mixed deployment of the HQ-61 and HQ-7 Crotale.

LY-60 / HQ-64 Aspide

The CPMIEC LY-60 is a direct clone of the Italian Selenia (Alenia) Aspide Mk.1, itself derived from the RIM-7E Sea Sparrow. This missile is frequently cited as the direct replacement for the conceptually similar but much bulkier HQ-61. Recent literature shows a four round LY-60 TEL which is based on the naval box launcher mount, similar to the US Sea Sparrow and original Aspide designs. Like the Aspide / Sparrow, the LY-60 appears in naval and mobile point defence SAM configurations, and as an AAM for fighter aircraft, designated as the FD-60 or PL-10.

The missile is a semi-active homing design, reliant on a CW illuminator which is cued by an acquisition and tracking radar. Cited battery composition is one acquisition radar, three engagement radars and six TELs, with eight support vehicles providing missile transport, backup and primary power supply, missile test, electronics maintenance, mechanical maintenance, tools and spares. The acquisition radar is likely to be a derivative of the CLC-2 series operating at 2.9 ~ 3.4 GHz, or the YLC-6M. The engagement radar is a truck mounted variant of the naval LY-60 engagement radar, which is a single channel X-band design with providing CW illumination of the target. Until recently, no good imagery was available for the radar package, specifications remain unstated. CPMIEC brochures claim the capability to engage low flying aircraft and cruise missiles. Other sources claim the capability to detect 40 targets, track 12, and engage three.^[36]

LY-60/HQ-64 Specifications [Aspide Mk.1 Specification Assumed]
Missile Launch Mass	220 kg	480 lb
Fuselage Diameter	0.20 m	0.65 ft
Length	3.72 m	12.20 ft
Wingspan	0.99 m	3.24 ft
Warhead Mass	35 kg	77 lb
Maximum Range	20 km	10.8 NMI
Minimum Range	1.3 km	0.7 NMI
Maximum Altitude	5,000 m	16,400 ft
Minimum Altitude	15 m	49 ft
LY-60/HQ-64 Battery Composition
Component	Qty	Notes
LY-60 Aquisition Radar	1	6 x 6 Dong Feng
LY-60 CW Illuminator	3	6 x 6 Dong Feng
LY-60 TEL 4 Round	6	6 x 6 Dong Feng
Power Supply Primary	1	-
Power Supply Backup	1	-
Missile Test	1	-
Electronics / Engineering	1	-
Mechanical / Engineering	1	-
Spare Components	1	-
Missile Transporter/Transloader	2	-

The LY-60 displays the same clipped wings as the box launch late model Aspide. In the background, the engagement radar with a CW illuminator (image © 2009, Zhenguan Studio).

The LY-60 four round TEL, below detail of box launchers (images © 2009, Zhenguan Studio).

Above/below Alenia SPADA/Aspide towed launcher. The tracker and CW illuminators are colocated on the mount, no such antennas being visible on the LY-60 TEL.

PL-10/FD-60 air launched variant of the cloned Aspide.

Type 89/ZSD89 Air Defence Missile Carrier^[10]

The Type 89/ZSD89, also known as the WZ534, is 6634mm long, 3148mm wide, 1890mm high at the top of the hull and 2556mm high including the 12.7mm semi-enclosed turret, which is a copy of the turret used on the M113 ACAV during the Vietnam War.  The supercharged diesel engine is rated at 319 horsepower and gives the vehicle a top road speed of 65km/hr and 6.5km/hr in the water.   The vehicle has a maximum road range of 500km and 61km in the water.  With a combat weight of 14.5 tons, the power to weight ratio of 22hp/ton enables the ZSD89 to climb a 32 degree slope.  There are four twin 76mm grenade launchers, two sets on both sides just behind the glacis plate. There are four vision blocks and rudimentary firing ports on the right side, one of each in the smallish rear door which swings outwards, and three of each on the left hand side of the vehicle.   The lack of a rear folding ramp like on the M113 is a severe drawback. 

The 12.7mm heavy machine gun has 1050 rounds stored in the vehicle and provides close in air and ground defence.  Four Hongqi 6 MANPADS are carried along with spare missiles.  There would be around nine air defence gunners who would operate the missiles, man the 12.7mm machine gun and listen to the air defence net for targets. The vehicle itself has a two man crew, comprising a driver and vehicle commander.   

FB-6A “Avenger” SAM System^[11]

The FB-6A is a copy of the United States Army’s AN/TWQ-1 Avenger system which mounts the Stinger short-range surface-to-air missile on an octuple launcher on a HMMWV chassis. The HMMWV variant employed is the aluminium body Shenyang SFQ2040.

Designated the FB-6A it uses the TY90 surface–to-air missile that is 1,862 mm long, 90 mm in diameter and weighs 20 kg.  The missile is quoted as having an effective range of between 500 to 6,000m; can engage targets flying at altitudes from 15 to 4500 m; and can reach Mach 2.2.  The launcher is quoted, as being able to acquire a target a 12 km, a reaction time of 2 to 3 seconds and the vehicle and launcher are a direct copy of the HMMWV. 

Above, FB-6A engagement radar and TEL, below FB-6A engagement radar, both carried on the Shenyang SFQ2040 HMMWV (image © 2009, Zhenguan Studio).

 

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LS-II ADS “PLA SLAMRAAM/Chapparel” SAM System

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LS-II ADS TEL with a pair of SD-10/PL-12 active radar guided missiles and a pair of PL-9C heatseeking missiles (image © 2009, Zhenguan Studio).

The Lie Shou “Hunter” II Air Defense System or “LS-II ADS”  was displayed publicly at the Zhuhai 2008 exhibition. It is a Chinese analogue to the US MIM-120/MPQ-64 Sentinel “SLAMRAAM” point defence system, but with the important distinction in a mixed missile armament, comprising two SD-10/PL-12 and two PL-9C. The SD-10/PL-12 is an analogue of the AIM-120 AMRAAM, but with better range performance, and equipped with the Russian designed Agat 9B-1103M active radar seeker. The PL-9C is an analogue of the AIM-9H/L Sidewinder. The LS II is therefore a defacto hybrid of the Chapparel and SLAMRAAM concepts, but with a self propelled engagement/acquisition radar rather than the towed MPQ-64 radar used with the SLAMRAAM.

Both the TEL and the engagement/acquisition radars are carried on the Dong Feng EQ-2050 HMMWV. The TEL is equipped with an electro-optical acquisition and tracking sensor mounted on the cabin roof. The radar is a planar array design, likely operating in the X-band.

LS-II ADS TEL and engagement/acquisition radar (image © 2009, Zhenguan Studio).

LS-II ADS TEL (image © 2009, Zhenguan Studio).

LS-II ADS TEL EO system (image © 2009, Zhenguan Studio).

LS-II ADS engagement/acquisition radar and antenna (image © 2009, Zhenguan Studio).

SLAMRAAM battery with two TELs, MPQ-64 radar and C3 vehicle (US Army).

FLV-1/FLG-1/FL-2000 Wheeled Air Defence Vehicle^[12]

The FLV-1 close in lightweight air-defence weapon system is based on the WZ 551 four wheeled armoured vehicle.^[13]   This vehicle appears to be half way between the United States Army’s AN/TWQ-1 Avenger system which uses the Stinger short range surface-to-air missile on an octuple launcher on a HMMWV chassis, and the Russian 9K31 Strela-1 system (SA-9 ‘Gaskin’) based on the BRDM 4 x 4 chassis.

The FLV-1 uses the rear engine version of the WZ 550 4 x 4 chassis but has only two-wheeled drive. The FLV-1 weighs 8.5 tonnes, is 5.5 metres long and the rest of the chassis is the same as the WZ 550.  The engine produces 132kw of power with a maximum road speed of 90 km/hr.

There are six smoke dischargers in two rows of three at the rear of the vehicle. The FLV-1 carries a pintle mounted 7.62 mm machine gun at the front of the vehicle for local defence.  The octuple launcher turret houses two quad launchers for the QW-1A lightweight surface-to-air missiles.  There is a FLIR, laser rangefinder, and most probably a laser designator, contained in a ball mount between the missiles with a search radar mounted on the top of the system. The search radar appears to be a variant of the NRIET AS-901 series, an L-band MTI with ~20 km range. The FLV-1 can be used for used for independent close in protection of high value assets.

The FL-2000 is a derivative of the FLV/FLG-1 series.

The FLG-1 is a derivative of the FLV-1 series.

WZ551D Wheeled Air Defence Vehicle Launcher^[14]

The WZ551D wheeled air defence vehicle was ordered in 1987 as an air defence variant of the WZ551 family, using the PL-9 surface-to-air missile system. The PL-9 is conceptually closest to the AIM-9P and appears to be an evolution of the PL-5 series missile, although Chinese sources claim the missile outperforms the AIM-9L/M. It was not a success as only one prototype was built and tested. The vehicle was a transporter, launcher, and radar unit (TLAR) and its use was between the Russian 9K35 Strela-10 (SA-13 Gopher) and the 9K331 Tor (SA-15 Gauntlet) tracked surface-to-air missile systems.

The WZ 551D carried a quadruple launcher, similar in shape to the then contemporary U.S. MIM-72A/M48 Chaparral surface-to-air missile (SAM) system which used an M54 missile launcher mounted on the M730 surface-to-air missile (SAM) system vehicle. Atop the launcher on the WZ551D was a search and acquisition radar which folded forward when not in use and for traveling to lower the vehicle’s silhouette. It appears to be a variant of the JY-17 series.

The WZ551D was 6.65m long, 2.8m wide and had a height of 3.4m with the radar folded and 5m with the radar upright.  It weighed 16t ready to fire with four missiles and a crew of between four and six. The prototype vehicle did not even have proper seating, with one seat a folding chair. The F8L413F 188kW four-stroke diesel engine gave it a power-to-weight ratio of 11.8kW/t, a top road speed of 85km/hr and a maximum range of 800km.  It could surmount a 0.5 m vertical obstacle and wade through 1.2m of water. 

Its radar had a search radius of 20km at altitudes from 50 to 4000m with an electro-optical tracking system providing passive tracking and back up.  Why it never entered service is unknown, but it could have been due to the changing nature of the threat and system itself.  The WZ551D was  designed to engage attack helicopters but the new fire and forget anti-tank guided missiles like Hellfire II have made many such surface-to-air missile systems obsolescent, as their silhouettes makes them readily identifiable and targeted by attacking aircraft, both fixed and rotary wing.

The PL-9 Air-To-Air Missile is used in this application as a Surface–To-Air Missile. ^[15]  It is an all aspect missile guided by a target’s thermal signature.  Its surface-to-air variant weighs 120kg, is 2.99m long and like all the PL-9 versions has a diameter of 167mm, which compares favourably to the AIM-9 Sidewinder’s 127mm.  Its maximum speed is reported as Mach 2 and the version on the defunct WZ551D had a reported slant engagement range of 10km and could engage targets up to an altitude of 4,000 m.

Yi Tian WZ551 Wheeled Self-Propelled Surface-to-Air Missile System^[9][37]

COMMAND, CONTROL AND COMMUNICATIONS

Type 81 Armoured Command Vehicle

The Type 81 ACV is also designated the WZ701 and is based on the Type 63 and uses the same extended hull as the WZ750 ambulance.[32]  The vehicle weighs 13 tons loaded for combat and contains seating for two crew forward of the rear and up to eight personnel in the rear.  This makes for a crowded vehicle which includes a seat against the rear door and normally the personnel in the rear varies from 3 to 5.  A battery fire control vehicle would have less personnel for example.  The Chinese ACV version in the article was equipped with five Type A-220 short wave/FM radios, one Type 714B back pack radio and one Type 339 facsimile machine.

The Type 81 armoured command vehicle based on the Type 63 hull has had similar modifications to the Type 63C to enable it to provide command and control of amphibious landings.  The PLAN modified version is designated the Type 81C.

Type 85 Armoured Command Vehicle^[34]

Unlike the Type 81 featured previously, this vehicle uses the same hull as the vehicle it is based on, in this case the Type 85 armoured personnel carrier.  This means that the vehicle cannot be readily identified as an ACV on the battlefield drawing unwarranted attention, ACVs being natural ordnance magnets.

The vehicle weighs 13.8 tons and has a crew of 8.  It is 6.125mm long, 3.06m wide and is 2.59m high to the top of the hull.  It is armed with the ubiquitous Type 59 12.7mm machine gun with 560 rounds.  Its diesel engine produces 317KW and its torque is 54.3 kP.  It has a maximum road range of 500km on road and 61km in water.  Its maximum road speed is 65km and it can reach 6 km/hr in the water.  A typical ACV fit out is one VRC-83 and two VRC-84 transceivers and one 70-2B facsimile machine

Type 89 Armored Command Vehicle

The PLA has put into service a new armoured command vehicle based on the hull of the WZ752 armoured ambulance, itself based on the ZSD89 armoured personnel carrier. It has four large and two smaller whip antennae. The vehicle is 6,634mm long, 3,148mm wide and 2,470mm high to top of the hull. There four 76mm smoke grenade dischargers on both sides of the forward part of the hull. The vehicle commander/gunners sits behind the driver and he has a pintle mounted 12.7mm machine gun attached top his raised cupola.

Type 89 ACV vs APC. Both equipped with a .50 cal weapon.

WZ551A Armoured Command Vehicle

ZZM88 Armoured Cryptographic and Communications Centre Vehicle^[39]

Man Portable Air Defence Systems

QW-2 and HY/FN-6/FN-16 Man Portable Air Defence Systems^[16]

The QW-2 is a reverse engineered copy of the Russian 9K310 Igla-1 (SA-16 Gimlet).  The infrared seeking missile is 72mm in diameter is 1.59m long and weighs 11kg.  It has a launch speed of 25 m/sec and can engage a target at a distance between 500m to 6,000m at an altitude from 10m to 4,000m.  All up, the system weighs 18.4kg and has a shelf life of ten years.  In action, the reaction time is five seconds with a reported 75% chance of intercepting a target.

The HY/FN-6 is an infrared seeking missile with a diameter of 71mm, a length of 1.495m and a weight of 10.77kg.  All up with the launcher the system weighs 17kg and can intercept a target going 600m/sec. The launcher can be equipped with a night sight and an IFF system similar to the AN/PPX-1 fitted to the FIM-92 Stinger.

FN-16 MANPADS.

Large Calibre Anti-Aircraft Machine Guns

The People’s Liberation Army describes all heavy calibre machine guns as ‘high-angle’ weapons, following the Soviet convention of labeling air defence weapons as “Zenitniye”.

QJG02 14.5mm Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun

W95A .50in Heavy Machine Gun^[19]

The Chinese Defence Industries are now offering the W95 12.7mm heavy machine gun in 12.7mm x 99mm, based on the PLA’s W85 heavy machine gun in 12.7mm x 108mm.  The gun itself weighs 28 kg without the tripod and is 2050mm long overall.  The heavy barrel, the rear half which is heavily fluted, is 1002mm long and the weapon has a cyclic rate of fire of 650-750 rounds per minute and an effective rate of fire of 80 – 100 rounds per minute.  It is designed to operate in temperatures from -15⁰C to 70⁰C. 

Representing another doomed attempt to replace the M2 Browning heavy machine gun, it will probably be offered to Third World countries that are under a U.S. embargo against the supply of spare parts for their M2 Browning heavy machine guns.  Given the popularity and numbers of M2s in the world, spare parts are readily available from many suppliers, and this is a forlorn hope.  Some may be bought by countries in an attempt to spite the United States but the numbers would be small.   

QJZ89 12.7mm x 108mm Heavy Machine Gun^[20]

The Type 77 was developed further and entered into PLA service as the QJZ89 12.7 x 108mm heavy machine gun. The QJZ89 weighs 17.8kg empty and its simple tripod weighing 8.5 kg yields a total weight of 26.3 kg.  The weapon’s overall length is 1,640mm with barrel length being 1003mm.  The muzzle velocity is quoted at 825m/sec and the effective range 1,500 m.  A 50 round drum feeds from the left.

QJC 88 12.7 x 108mm cupola anti-aircraft machine gun^[21]

The new cupola mounted anti-aircraft machine gun is 1500mm long and 620mm wide.  It comes in two parts, the main body weighs 18.5kg and the mount is 15.5 kg.  Its elevation ranges from -6⁰ to +85⁰ and has a rate of fire of 540 to 600 rounds per minute.  It can fire the Type 54 12.7mm family of cartridges and the Type 84 12.7mm APDS cartridge. 

Type 85 12.7mm x 108mm Heavy Machine Gun^[22]

The Type 85 12.7 x 108mm heavy machine gun is a “product improved” version of the Type 77, and is as simple a design as a 12.7mm machine can be.   With the tripod laid flat, the Type 85 is 2050mm long and 1160mm wide.  It has a rate of fire of 650 – 750 rpm and depending on the tripod’s configuration (it can be set up for anti-aircraft fire) its elevation is from -10 to + 80⁰ and an arc of 360⁰.  The complete system weighs 39.6kg with its box magazine on the left hand side holding sixty rounds of link ammunition. 

Type 77 12.7 x 108mm Heavy Machine Gun^[23]

The Model 77 heavy machine gun is described as China’s first generation designed 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun.  The Type 85 is a “product improved” version.  The weapon is both gas (three settings) and recoil operated.  The ammunition belt is the standard DShK metal non-disintegrating link.

The gun itself weighs 21.3 kg, the tripod is 28.3kg and other attachments/accessories weigh 6.5kg, for a total weight of 56.1kg.  The rate-of-fire is between 650 to 750 RPM, its range against aircraft is 1,600m slant and up to an altitude of 800m.  The muzzle velocity is between 810 to 825m/sec and its maximum ground range is 7 km.

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Type 58 Twin 14.5 x 114mm Anti-Aircraft Gun System^[40]

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A copy of the Russian ZPU-2, the Type 58 twin 14.5 x 114mm anti-aircraft gun system provided Chinese units a small self-contained mobile system able to be set up almost anywhere.  The weapon swivels on its integral circular mounting and has a single towing trail.  Its two wheels rotate upwards on their axles to provide a stable firing platform. 
 
In traveling configuration, it was 3.900m long by 1.6m wide by 1.5 m high with guns in a horizontal position.  Ready to it was 3.9m long, by 1.6m wide by 1.1m high. 
 
Its two magazines could each hold 150 round of ammunition in non-disintegrating link belts, weighed 42kg, and fully loaded for combat the Type 56 weighed 1,000kg with 600 rounds of ammunition..  Each gun fired at 600 rpm giving a total firepower of 1,200 rpm. In the anti-aircraft role its effective slant range is given as 1,000m and a 2,000m effective ceiling.     
 

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Type 56 Quad 14.5 x 114mm Anti-Aircraft Gun System^[41]

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A copy of the Russian ZPU-4, the Type 56 quad 14.5 x 114mm anti-aircraft gun system provided Chinese units and fixed sites a high firepower powerful and light anti-aircraft system.  On a small four-wheel mount, the equipment could be towed behind a light vehicle.  To permit accurate firing the two side stabilisers swung out, the wheels swung upwards and the jacks screwed down so the ordnance sat on cruciform shaped mount. 
 
In traveling configuration, it was 5.545m long by 1.86m wide by 2.3 m high with guns in a horizontal position.  Ready to it was 4.33m long, by 2.68m wide by 1.97m high.  In an emergency, it could be fired in the traveling position.
 
Its four magazines could each hold 150 round of ammunition in non-disintegrating link belts, weighed 42kg, and fully loaded for combat the Type 56 weighed 2,150kg.  Each gun fired at 600 rpm giving a total firepower of 2,400 rpm. In the anti-aircraft role its effective slant range is given as 1,000m and a 2,000m effective ceiling. 

Heavy Machine Gun Cartridges^[24]

Colour Identification of Chinese Small Arms Cartridges from 1958-1987^[25]

Lead Core              No colour on projectile 

Steel Core              Prior to 1975 silver tip and from 1975 no colour

Incendiary              Red tip

Incendiary – Tracer  Red tip 

Tracer                    Green tip

API                     Prior to 1967 black tip with red band.  After 1967 tip changed to black only 

API – T                Prior to 1967 purple tip with red band.  From 1967 tip changed to purple only

Explosive flash        White tip

Chinese Military Heavy Machine Gun Cartridges Issued 1950-1987^[26]

The following are the rounds that have been issued for military issue during the period 1951 to 1987 and use the Chinese meaning of the word

Type 54 high shooting machine gun armour penetrating incendiary round (12.7 x 108mm FMJ) with a black tip which has a red band,

Type 54 high shooting machine gun armour penetrating incendiary tracer round (12.7 x 108mm FMJ) with a purple tip which has a red band,

Type 56 high shooting machine gun armour penetrating incendiary round (14.5 x 114mm FMJ) with a black tip which has a red band, 

Type 56 high shooting machine gun armour penetrating incendiary tracer round (14.5 x 114mm FMJ) with a purple tip which has a red band,

Type 56 high shooting machine gun incendiary round (14.5 x 114mm FMJ) with a red tip, and

Type 56 high shooting machine gun shun dan (translates as twinkling & sudden and violent) round (14.5 x 114mm FMJ) with a white tip.  This is an explosive that gives off a bright flash upon detonation.  Obviously it can also be used as a ranging round.
 

12.7 x 99 Browning Machine Gun Cartridges

The 12.7 x 99mm heavy machine gun cartridges are produced for export and are direct copies of United States military ammunition.  The Chinese and comparable designations are:

Chinese              United States

M202                   M17 Tracer

M205                   M2 AP

M206                   M8 API

M207                   M20 API-T

M208                   Mss Ball

Type 54 12.7 x 108mm 

Used in the Type 54, 77 and 85 heavy machine guns, the cartridge and weapons are generally used in the air defence role.  The primary cartridges in Chinese service are the armour piercing incendiary; armour piercing incendiary – tracer, and armour piercing discarding sabot.

The API cartridge uses a copper jacketed lead sheathed steel core projectile with the incendiary compound in the projectile’s rear.  It can vary in weight from 116 to 126g, and from 145.5 to 147mm in length.  Its muzzle velocity is between 810 and 825m/s and the chamber pressure id 294.3MPa.   At 100m it has a not less than 90% average of penetrating 20mm of steel plate set at 20⁰; and at 70m can penetrate 15mm of steel plate with a not less than 80% chance of the incendiary compound igniting.

The API-T cartridge uses a copper jacketed lead sheathed steel core projectile with the incendiary compound in the rear and the tracer compound behind that.  It can vary in weight from 112 grams upward. Its muzzle velocity is between 810 and 825m/s and the chamber pressure is 294.3MPa.   At 100m it has a 90% probability of penetrating 15mm of steel plate set at 45⁰; and at 70m can penetrate 15mm of steel plate with a not less than 80% probability of the incendiary compound igniting.

The APDS incendiary projectile uses a tungsten penetrator inside a sabot.  The cartridge weighs between 98.7 to 108.7g and its velocity at 25m is 1,150m/sec.  Its chamber pressure is 326.3MPa and at 100m, against a 15mm steel plate set at 45⁰ has an average penetration rate of not less than 60%.

DV06 12.7 x 108mm dual projectile^[27]

The DVD06 12.7mm shuandtoudan (dual projectile round) is 146 to 147mm long and the cartridge has a total weight of 140g.  The first round weighs 32g and has a muzzle velocity of 750 m/s and the second weighs 36g and has a muzzle velocity of 700 m/s.  The chamber pressure is 294 MPa and at 300m the projectiles have a 50% mean point of impact group of 45cm.  They can penetrate 20mm of homogenous steel plate at 100m (hardness not given) and 7mm at 1,000m.   They can be identified by two crimp dents behind the cartridge shoulder and has an elongated projectile when compared to standard 12.7 x 108mm cartridges.  The cartridge can be used in the Type 85, 88 and 89 12.7 x 108mm heavy machine guns.

12.7 x 108mm Helicopter Cartridges

There are 12.7 x 108mm cartridges used in helicopter pylon pod mounted solenoid fired 12.7mm machine guns.^[28]  These are the DVY 89 shi chuanjia ranshao yeguang dan (armour piercing incendiary – tracer round) which is identified by a blue-grey/ultramarine tip on the copper jacketed projectile; and the DVB89 shi chuanjia baozhe ranshao dan (armour piercing explosive incendiary round) which is identified by a silver tip on the steel jacket projectile.

Type 56 14.5 x 114mm^[29]

The Type 54 has a planning range of 2,000m in air defence and 1,000m in ground defence.  There are three major Type 96 cartridges in service, API, API-T and APDS.   

The API cartridge weighs between 175 to 188g, with the projectile itself weighing between 63 to 64.8g, and having a muzzle velocity of between 980 to 995 m/sec and a chamber pressure of 325MPa.  Its success rate at penetrating a 20mm steel plate set at 20⁰ was no less than 80% which was the same at 100m and the ignition of the incendiary compound was put at no less than 80%.  

The API-T cartridge has an overall length of between 154.5 to 156mm, weighs between 170 to 183g, with the projectile itself weighing between 58.2 to 61g, and having a muzzle velocity of between 995 to 1,015m/sec and a chamber pressure of 319MPa.  Its success rate at penetrating a 20mm steel plate set at 20⁰ was no less than 80% which was the same at 100m against a vertical 20mm steel plate and the ignition of the incendiary compound was put at no less than 80%.  The tracer lasts over three seconds and burns out more than 2,000m.

Using a tungsten core, this APDS cartridge, 98.7 between 108.7g and at 25m has a velocity of 1,150m/sec with a chamber pressure of 326.3MPa.  The tungsten penetrator has a success rate of penetrating a 15mm plate set at 45⁰ of no less than 60%.

Type 91 14.5 x 114mm APDS

Introduced for use in the QJZ91 heavy machine gun which did not see service it can be described as the forerunner to the DGJ02 cartridge.  It was 173mm long overall and had a weight range of between 98.7 and 108.7g, presumerably different designs were trialled.  It had a velocity at 25m of 1,250m/sec and a chamber pressure of 355.7MPa.  It had a success rate of no less than 80% in penetrating a 20mm steel plate set at 50⁰ at 1,000m.   

DGJ02 AP-T 14.5 x 114mm^[30] 

The DGJ02 AP-T cartridge uses a 45g tungsten penetrator, wrapped in a discarding sabot with dual colour tracer to aid ranging.  The sabot splits and leaves the penetrator between 150 to 200m from the muzzle.  It has a muzzle velocity of 1,250m/sec and is quoted as being able to penetrate 20mm of armour plate set at an angle of 50⁰ at 800m.  

DGE02 APHEI 14.5 x 114mm^[31]

The DGE02 APHEI cartridge weighs between 175 and 188g.  At 800 m it is quoted as having a 90 percent chance of being able to penetrate 15mm of armour plate set at 30⁰. At 300m after penetrating a 2mm soft steel plate (representing an aircraft skin) it can further penetrate a 1.2mm thick steel plate producing 20 fragments.  Upon explosion between 75 and 95 incendiary pieces are formed which have an 80% chance of igniting aviation fuel.

M203 API-T 14.5 x 114mm

Developed for export, the M203 cartridge is identical in performance to the Type 56 14.5 x 114mm cartridge.

CS/BFD06 14.5 x 114mm  

The CS/BFD06 is a high-explosive incendiary cartridge built for export.  It has a total weight of 180g, an overall length of 156mm with a muzzle velocity between 980 to 995m/sec and a chamber pressure of 319MPa.  At 1500m it can penetrate 1.0mm of 08F steel then a 2mm aluminium plate with 90% success rate coinciding with an incendiary ignition success rate of also 90%.  

Endnotes/References