Type 99 tank
 | This article possibly contains original research. (January 2008) |
| Type 99 | |
|---|---|
 A Type 99 tank at the China People's Revolution Military Museum in Beijing during the 2007 Our troops towards the sun exhibition. | |
| Type | Main battle tank |
| Place of origin |  People's Republic of China |
| Production history | |
| Unit cost | ¥ 17,417,659 Renminbi (approx 2,500,000 USD)[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | ~54 tonnes |
| Length | 11.0 m |
| Width | 3.4 m |
| Height | 2.2 m |
| Crew | 3 (4 originally based on the Type 98 prototypes without autoloader) |
| Armor | Classified, Al2O3, ERA, composite, others? |
Main armament | 125 mm smoothbore tank gun, compatible with Chinese 140mm guns[2][3] |
Secondary armament | 12.7 mm commander's machine gun, 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun |
| Engine | liquid-cooled diesel 1,500 hp (1,100 kW) |
| Power/weight | 27.8 hp/tonne |
| Suspension | torsion bar |
Operational range | 600 km |
| Maximum speed | 80 km/h (50 mph) |
| Main battle | |
|---|---|
| Light / medium | |
| Prototypes, experimentals | |
Background: History of the tank, Tank classification | |
Template:FixBunching The Type 99, also known as ZTZ-99 and WZ-123, developed from the Type 98G (in turn, a development of the Type 98), is a third generation main battle tank (MBT) fielded by the Chinese People's Liberation Army. It is made to compete with other modern tanks. Although not expected to be acquired in large numbers due to its high cost compared to the more economical Type 96, it is currently the most advanced MBT fielded by China.
Development
At the end of 1970, the Type 122 medium tank (experimental type) was aborted after three years of development due to technical bottleneck. In February 1977, work on the new generation tank was initiated while in April 1978, the development goals were set, with the Russian T-72 as primary combat target. In march 1979, factory 617 and institute 201 developed the new type 1224 experimental chassis installed with MB8v331TC41 imported from Germany. Later, another two were developed, Type 1226 with the 8V165 (763kw, 1,000hp) diesel engine by factory 636 and Type 1226F2 with the 12V150 (763kw, 1,000hp) made by factory 616. All three prototypes were armed with 120 mm smoothbore, welded turret and ammunition storage was placed at the rear of the turret, many design philosophy of the German Leopard 2A1 were adopted. After the designation of Type 80 as the "second generation tank" in 1981, a division in design thinking of the "third generation tank" emerged with one group arguing for a design based on the Russian T-72, with 3 crew, 125 mm gun, autoloader, and another group arguing for an Israeli Merkava-styled design with front located power pack, 120 mm gun, semi-automatic loader, high output diesel or gas turbine engine. This division caused a temporary delay in the project.
In July 1984, the design was settled on a t-72-like configuration. In summer of 1986, the program was submitted to the state council and central military committee, in the same year, it was approved and incorporated in the major weapon development program of the seventh five-year plan.
In spring, 1989, formal contract was signed with Norinco for the "third generation tank". In the beginning of the following year, factory 617 produced the first prototype for testing purpose. in 1991, its technical perimeter was raised from 40 to 70 items.
In 1992, factory 617 manufactured further four prototypes.
In 1993, it is decided to raise the front armor protection from 600 mm to 700 mm to meet future requirement.
In August 1994, two testing prototypes undergone tests in southern region with hot and wet climate, in the test, the two prototypes were driven 3.800 km, 200 rounds were fired.
In September 1994, reliability and fording test were carried out in Tuoli and Huiahuling region outside Beijing.
From 1995 to 1996, three prototypes undergone arctic climate tests in Tahe, Heilongjiang.
In May 1996 factory 617 started the assembly of a formal prototype.
On 03/12/1996, the hand over ceremony was held, thus “third generation tank” has shifted from the engineering development stage to the design finalisation stage.
At the end of december 1996, two formal prototypes were transported to Tahe for further arctic region testing, within the two month testing period, a total of 6,900 km of driving distance were accumulated, 20 testing programs were completed.
At the end of 1997, four formal prototypes were put into another test with 20,000 km travelled, 760 rounds were test fired.
After five years of extensive testing and trials within the army, all design were completed at the end of 1998: its firepower, FCS, armor protection and other hi-tech application have met or exceed design requirement. small-scale production of the type-98 was initiated in order for it to participated in the 1st october national day parade in 1999.
In the 10 years development period of type-98, hundreds of millions of yuan were spend, the unit cost of those participated in the parade is around 16 million yuan (1.9 million U.S. dollars).
The R&D effort of an improved version of Type 98 has immediately begun after its design finalisation. Compared to Type 98, the improved (gai3 jin4) version has better overall capability, especially in the reliability of the overall performance, at the end of 2001, first batch of 40 Type 98G has entered service on a try-out basis. The tank was first revealed in October 1999 during the national parade and entered service in small numbers for operational tests and evaluation before the finalisation of the design. The production version, known initially as Type 98 and later as Type 98G, and finally, after improved performance, as the Type 99, was revealed in 2001. It has an improved engine (1.500hp instead of 1.200hp) and additional Leopard2A5/6-style sloped arrow-shaped armor on the turret front and additional composite armor layers on the sides.
The official manufacturer's designation seems to be ZTZ-99. The tank is also known by its industrial index as the WZ-123 MBT. The unit price is greater than 16 million Renminbi (Chinese yuan) (2006 price, ~2 million USD, ~1.6 million EUR). In part due to its high cost, this tank will not be deployed in large numbers, like earlier models such as the Type 59. Due to its limited numbers, the Type 99 is currently only operated by PLA's elite divisions, while the Type 96 becomes the new backbone MBT for the PLA.
Type 98
The Chinese government made a decision to modernize their tank force by incorporating advanced features into their next-generation MBT, as their older tanks were becoming ineffective. The resulting tank had a hull (chassis) similar to the T-72 or T-80 while having a wielded turret like most Western tanks. The aim was to create a tank which could defeat the Russian T-80 and approach the capabilities of the German Leopard 2.
Type 98
This prototype is unique among current Chinese designs. Instead of an autoloader, it has a fourth crew member to manually load the western-style single unit ammunition rounds. Traditional Russian-made autoloaders were designed to separately load the propellant and warhead components. The transmission is manual instead of automatic like those on the newer Type 90. The tank can also fire DU (Depleted Uranium) rounds.[1]
Type 98G
The most obvious feature is that a modified autoloader was installed so that the crew was reduced to three from the original four. The power plant is a domestic 150HB 1,200-hp diesel engine. It is able to fire DU rounds.[2]
Type 99
Type 99
The basic variant of the Type 99 series. The latest variant developed and now in trial is the Type 99A2 with a 1,500-hp water cooled diesel engine and getting re-designed at some parts.
The Type 99A2 has increased armor on the turret. The self-defense laser module has been replaced by an active defensive module. The ZTZ-99A2 also installed ERA on the front and side turret. The tank hull will follow the MBT 2000 configuration instead of the previously used hull.
Type 99G
CNGC has been deploying a further modified version of the ZTZ99, possibly known as ZTZ99G. A photo released by the Chinese official Xinhua News Agency in February 2008 revealed an improved variant of the ZTZ99 that features newly designed observation and active protection system (APS). The commander viewer of the new tank appears to be slightly larger than that of the basic variant ZTZ99, suggesting a possible independent commander thermal imaging viewer.
Type 99A
Successor to the Type 99G and predecessor to the Type 99A1.
Type 99A1
The Type 99A1 is the latest version in service of the PLA while the the more advanced variant the Type 99A2 is still in various trials end not expected to enter service before end of 2009. While the earlier Type 99 that entered service several years ago had additional armor packages on the original Type 98 turret and the chassis, the Type 99A1 has its turret top reshaped, having the hump on the turret's top removed by thickening it. This might be the result for changing the height of the turret itself to improve more protection or more space for the tank commander and gunner. Other distinct details are the armor packages on the front and at its sides, the ERA panels have been extended. The Type 99A1 might also have received further upgrades in terms of targeting computers etc.
Type 99A2
The much-improved newest Type 99 variant, with many major upgrades and improvements. Improvements are so significant that the A2 can almost be considered as a new tank. Some of the improvement and upgrades include reaction improved aiming system, digital battlefield information terminal, newly designed arrow-shaped armor, larger turret, expanded tail chamber, Active Protection System mounted on turret with millimeter-wave radar, new commander's periscope, Integrated Propulsion System, and more.[3][4][5][6][7]
Design
The development of the new tank was initiated in the early 90s during the Gulf War. Western tanks had destroyed numerous Iraqi Soviet-made T-72s, which were superior to the most advanced tank in the PLA arsenal at the time: the Type 90 tank[4]. The PLA realised that their tanks were no match for the Western MBT designs such as the Challenger 2 and M1A1, and initiated a project to develop a new, modern main battle tank which eventually resulted in the Type 99. The design was heavily influenced by the Soviet T-80 and the German Leopard 2. Features include a sloped turret armor for increased protection, among others. The driver's compartment is in the front while the fighting compartment lies directly behind it and the engine is installed in the rear.
To accommodate more equipment and ammunition, the Type 98's turret is slightly larger than that of the Type 90, resulting in a gap between the turret and hull in the front. This could be a major disadvantage in battle as it acts as a shot trap and exposes the turret ring, increasing the likelihood of hits from the front jamming the turret.[citation needed] So NORINCO provided the armor upgrades to the Type 99 which minimizes the gap to avoid a shot trap.
This effect, however, is not to be confused with the World War II shot-trap effect, for modern long-rod kinetic energy penetrators (APFSDS) behave in a different manner to traditional solid shot armour-piercing rounds. The Leopard 2A5 and 2A6 also feature this wedge on the turret front, which Leopard engineers deliberately designed in such a way as to subject an incoming APFSDS round to yaw forces. This places the penetrator under enormous stress, so much so that it may shear, thus preventing its penetration of the turret. The projectile still imparts its kinetic energy to the turret, but not in a fashion that will penetrate the armour.
Despite a Western-style welded turret in appearance, the inside layout of the ZTZ99’s turret is very much of Russian style[4]. The ZTZ99 directly inherited the Russian 2A46M autoloader design, with the extra ammunitions placed inside the fighting compartment[4]. This arrangement makes the tank highly vulnerable to catastrophic fire once being penetrated, a lesson learned in many conflicts in which T-72s and T-80s have participated[4]. China has not been able to produce a Western-style bustle autoloader for its MBT yet[4].
The tank is equipped with an active laser defense system. The laser warning receiver can determine the location of an attacking enemy tank, while the high-powered laser dazzler can temporarily blind the enemy's optics (eyes). It can also be used as a secure communications device.[citation needed]
Counter Measures and Communications
The type-VHF-2000 tank communication system on Type 98 (and mostly the Type 99 too) has electronic countermeasures, electro-magnetic compatibility and multiple workstation capability. Mounted behind the commander's hatch is a laser communication and IFF system. It is a compact and multifunctional system used for IFF, sending digital command signal, voiced communication and laser detection. its receiver could function as a laser warning system on the wavelength of 0.9–1.06 µm. it has a working range of >3,600m. up and down angle of +45 degree to -10 degree (same as the commander's sight), 360 degree at horizontal level, target detection time is <0.6sec, 60 encrypted IFF code is stored in the system.
Further back on top of the turret is the type-9602 GPS navigation and position signal receiving antenna, its a two channel C/A code receiver and provide 3D military grade coordinates under all weather condition, data on tank's moving direction and speed along with those of the target can be established to provide suitable navigation route. type-9602 has a relatively low precision of 100m that fell short of some tactical requirement, once the Type 98G is equipped with the successfully developed GLONSS/GPS navigation and positioning system, the precision can be increased to 20 meters.
On the back of the gunner's hatch is an active laser suppression system, it's designed to directly attack the various guidance systems on the opponent's weapon system. it can be operated by either the commander or the gunner, the laser ray could interfere or permanently damage IR sensor's components (laser ranger; night-vision equipment; TV camera head; telescopic sight; etc.) and has obvious effect against naked eyes. the system is consist of micro-computer control box; target tracking sub-system; laser suppressor and thermal image jammer. the system can be rotated 360 degree, +90 degree to -12 degree, horizontal tracking speed 45 degree/sec, vertical tracking speed 40 degree/sec, laser energy output is 1.000 MHz, laser pulse's working repetition rate is 10ps, maximum working range is 4,000m, continues working time is 30min, laser beamer has a lifespan of 1.2 million. In addition, the Type 98/99's driver is equipped with anti-laser glass for protection from similar system fielded on the opponent's platform.[5]
Armament
The ZTZ99's main armament includes a dual-axis fully-stabilised 125 mm/50-calibre ZPT98 smoothbore gun with a carousel-style autoloader, a thermal sleeve, and a fume extractor. It is a further development of the 120 mm Chinese Design while many foreign observers thought it would be just a Chinese version of the Russian 2A46M-1 type 125 mm gun. The Chinese gun with 120 mm turned out to be slightly better than 125 mm in some aspect, but 125 mm was chosen due to the selection of T-72-type autoloader. The 120 mm gun end up on type-89 SPATG with a semi-autoloader. The 125 mm tank gun was successfully developed as early as 1985. After continues improvement, the ZPT98 tank gun with 125 mm achieved higher bore pressure than the 120 mm.
The gun can be fired by either electronics or manual control. The gun barrel can be replaced within one hour. Loading is mechanical with 41 rounds carried inside the turret and vehicle hull while 22 rounds are stored within the autoloader. The gun can fire about 8 rounds per minute using autoloader and 1~2 rounds per minute with manual loading. Ammunition includes armour-piercing fin stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS), high explosive anti-tank (HEAT), and high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) projectiles. China has also reportedly manufactured Russian AT-11 laser-guided anti-tank missiles (ATGM) to be fired from the 125 mm gun for enemy tank with Explosive Reactive Armour, with an effective range of 4 km. In addition, the Chinese have developed depleted uranium (DU) rounds for their tanks and these may be available for the Type 99. The primary kinetic energy armour-piercing ammunition for the 125 mm tank gun is the APFSDS round with a 50:1 length/calibre heavy tungsten alloy penetrator and the round has a muzzle velocity of 1,780m/s and is capable of penetrating 850 mm steel armour at a distance of 2,000m. A depleted uranium (DU) APFSDS round which can penetrate 960 mm steel armour at a distance of 2,000m and the accuracy range would be approx 5 km on non moving target with APFSDS depleted uranium.[citation needed]
From Type 98 to all Type 99 variants, they are all armed with a ZPT98 125 mm smoothbore gun with a length/calibre ratio of 51:1. the barrel is made of high-intensity PCrN13NoV, muzzle velocity is comparable to that of Russian 2A46M-1 type 125 mm gun. hydraulic self-strengthening technology has resulted in a much stiffer barrel, the length is 6,412 mm, it has a lifetime of 700 armor-pieceing rounds. the thermal sleeve is of a double aluminium plate structure with air gap, it consist of 5 non-interchangeble parts, its effective rate is 70%. ZPT98 can be replaced on battlefield within 1 hr.
Armour
Currently, the actual armour composition of the Type-99/ZTZ-99 remains unknown. There are public photos of experimental Chinese composite armours, specifically Al2O3 which has been tested. The armour didn't sustain any significant damage after being shot by a T-72C 125 mm armament seven times or a 105 mm armament nine times in a range of 1,800 meters, while rounds that are used in the test are unknown. The tank's front armour protection is claimed to be equivalent to 1,000~1,200 mm of steel armour, possibly against shaped charge warheads. Also, there are significant differences between the armour packages displayed on the current Type 99s and the ones first seen in 1999.
Another theory that has been suggested is that the armor additions are not ERA (Explosive Reactive Armour), but composite layers in block form. The reason is that the blocks are too large to be effectively used as ERA, since one detonation leads to a large unprotected area. Further support is given in the fact that Eastern Bloc armies had two armor packages after the introduction of ERA. Live ERA blocks for wartime and composite blocks for peacetime, as maintaining ERA blocks during operational conditions is both expensive and hazardous.
Fire Control and observation
Fire accuracy is attained by the laser rangefinder, wind sensor, ballistic computer, and thermal barrel sleeve, while essential muzzle reference system is invisible in released photographs. Dual axis stabilization ensures effective firing on the move. The commander has six periscopes and a stabilized panoramic sight. Both the commander and gunner have roof-mounted stabilized sights fitted with day/thermal channels, a laser rangefinder and an auto tracker facility. The commander has a display showing the gunner's thermal sight, enabling the commander to fire the main gun. The Thermal Imaging System (TIS) with cooled detector using processing in the element (SPRITE) technology has narrow field of view magnification of ×11.4 and ×5 in wide field of view.
The Type 99 is also fitted with a computerized onboard information processing system, which can collect information from vehicle navigation (Inertia/GPS), observation systems and sensors, process it in the computer and display it on the commander's display, giving the ability of real-time command and beyond-vision-range target engaging.
Propulsion
The Type 99 is powered by a liquid cooled, turbocharged 1,500 hp diesel derived from the German MB871ka501 diesel technology. At its current battle weight of 54 t, this gives a power-to-weight ratio of about 27.78. The maximum speed on road is 80 km/h and 65 km/h cross country. Acceleration from 0 to 32 km/h only takes 12 seconds. The transmission provides seven forward and one reverse gears.[6]
Operators
People's Republic of China: {~500 all Type 99 models}
See also
Type 59/62 - Type 69/79 - Type 80/85/88 - Type 90/96 - MBT 2000/Al-Khalid - Type 98/99 - T-72 - M-84 - M-95 - PT-91 - M-2001 - T-80 - T-84 - T-90 - T-95
Notes
- ^ English pamphlet available at "Our troops towards the Sun" exhibition
- ^ Zippo (2006-10-10). "Type 99 MBT equipped with a 140mm gun". Chosun. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Lung (2005-04-21). "这辆98式在测试140毫米口径火炮". Wforum. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c d e ZTZ99 (Type 99) Main Battle Tank - SinoDefence.com
- ^ 中国新型坦克装备车际激光通信 协同能力获跃升, 凤凰网, retrieved 2009-02-02
{{citation}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ type 99 system
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