Military Technology 06/2020

Wheeled fighting vehicles feature in the follow-on elements of expeditionary operations, intended to exploit footholds established by the initial assault eaves. These units are accompanied by direct fire assault assets, such as the ZTL11, which features firepower equivalent to the tracked ZTD-05, coupled with high-speed mobility. (Photo: NORINCO) launch closer to the beach than the ZTD due to its lower 8km/h water speed, the ZTL’s twin water jets provide excellent swim capabilities. With a combat weight of 23t and a 440hp Deutz BF6M1015c diesel en- gine, the vehicle has a respectable 19.22 hp/t power-to-weight ratio. while its sus- pension and central tyre inflation facilitate both rapid road movement and reasonable off-road mobility. Its armour protection is claimed to be 25mm frontal and 12.7mm all-around and includes add-on ceramic armour. With the ZTL providing direct support with the same 105mm ZPL98A tank gun, they will follow the high-speed assault force. This gun fires the full range of APFSDS. HEAT, HE and other conventional ammunitions, as well as the GP105 cannon-launched missile. It reported- ly has digital fire control and thermal sights, but lacks commander’s pan- oramic viewing, somewhat limiting its target acquisition capabilities. This suggests it is intended more for close direct fire support accompanying wheeled armoured combine arms formations. These are likely intended to exploit beachhead seizure and manoeuvre to overcome opposition, occupy inland objectives and establish defensive blocking positions to pre-empt counter attacks. China’s Deployable MBT The recent sighting of the Norinco third-generation Type 15 ZTQ-15 tank in PLANM colours strongly suggests the leadership also sees the need for MBT-level mobility, firepower, and shock-effect and some level of to a successful landing is a vigorous attack, to keep the opponent from organizing such counterattacks. The succession of fast-moving armoured columns with accompanying direct assault fire vehicles is designed to assure this result. Amphibious Assault Support China studied history in establishing its new expeditionary capability, finding a model in the USMC’s final and (by 1945) highly successful conduct of the amphibious assault. At the same time, they are incorpo- rating capabilities – like triple the water speed and precision fire – of- fered by today’s technologies. Thus, the 26.5t ZTD05 mirrors the role of the US AmTank AAV. These mounted a 75mm gun turret and by 1944 preceded all amphibious assaults in the Pacific. The PLANM’s equiva- lent carries a fully stabilized105mm high velocity cannon firing APFSDS and HEAT rounds, high explosive and gun-launched laser-guided ATGM. The 105mm cannon was first derived from the British L7 (also used to upgrade older Type 59 tanks of the PLA) and include a higher velocity Type 83A model. Engagements can be executed on the move, including from the water. Its cannon-launched missile can hit a point target at 5km with up to .9 accuracy. Frontal protection is claimed to defeat incoming 25mm at 1,000m, with minimum 7.62 all-around. Using the same planing hull platform as the Type 5 squad IFV, the ZTD will hit the beach with the furthest forward assault elements, where it provides tank-level direct fire to engage and destroy enemy positions opposing the attack, as well as to resist counterat- tacks, including those of armoured and tank forces. Further evidence of the PLANM’s rec- ognition of the tactical value and vital contribution of fire assault vehicles to ex- peditionary combat operations is its field- ing of the ZTL11, an 8X8 equivalent to the ZTD05, with its light motorized battalions that follow the initial assault. These for- mations are equipped with a range of 8X8 variants, including IFV, command and var- ious support functions. Although requiring Topic MT 6/2020 · 21 f