In the lead up to tomorrow’s military parade, Chinese military websites have been touting the upgraded ZTZ-99A main battle tank, which it will make its official public debut there, and which is described as China’s first “digital” tank. (PLA photo)
Posted on 09/02/2015 5:57:38 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
The ZTZ-99A tank, known as China's king of land battle, will appear in the military parade at the Tian'anmen Square, Beijing, China, on the morning of September 3, 2015.
This will be the grand debut of the ZTZ-99A tank in China, but it made its name long before. During the "Peace Mission 2014" multilateral military exercises of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), its maneuverability, power and speed wowed the world.
Mao Ming, chief expert of China North Industries Group Corporations and chief designer of ZTZ-99A tank, said in a recent interview that the ZTZ-99A is in a leading position in the world in terms of firepower, defense, maneuverability, and information technology.
First type of information-based tank in China
Before the ZTZ-99A is officially debuted, there are two kinds of assumptions about its main gun. One is that it uses the 140mm main battle tank (MBT) gun, and the other is that it uses the same 125mm main gun as the ZTZ-99 tank.
Mao Ming said the ZTZ-99A tank eventually uses the 125mm main gun but it's not the same as the one used by the ZTZ-99 tank because it is able to launch more types of cannonballs with higher density.
Compared with the ZTZ-99 tank, the ZTZ-99A tank's most conspicuous feature is that its main gun is equipped with a Dynamic Muzzle Reference System (DMRS).
"The firing accuracy of the tank is directly affected by muzzle turbulence of its main gun." Mao Ming said that the Dynamic Muzzle Reference System can read muzzle turbulence and transmit the data to the computer to improve hitting rate. Compared with the ZTZ-96A tank that just participated in the Tank Biathlon in Russia, the ZTZ-99A tank is more accurate with no need for manual calibration when firing its main gun.
The ZTZ-99A tank also features revolutionary improvements in its defense capability.
Its turret is not only armed with the tougher new-generation explosive reactive armor (ERA), but also equipped with the new-type compound armor on the top. In addition, China's laser dazzler system makes the tank more powerful.
In addition to these changes on the appearance, the application of information technology has resulted in invisible changes.
Situations on the battlefield are constantly changing. For instance, when the tank commander sees a lot of targets, which one to hit first? Where should the tank go and at what speed? The firepower, defense capacity and maneuverability of the ZTZ-99A tank have been multiplied through information technology.
"It is China's first information-based tank." Mao Ming said proudly that the ZTZ-99A tank lays the information-based foundation for the first-generation army equipment in China, not only realizing such functions as information sharing, coordinated attack and defense, status monitoring and system restructuring, but its software, components and parts are all independently developed.
Moreover, the ZTZ-99A tank is able to monitor the system status and reconfigure the system. For instance, the equipment would automatically adjust to a lower level in case of failure, and report the need for fuel or ammunition replenishment to the backstage to ensure more accurate support.
As easy as driving a car
The ZTZ-99A tank is slightly taller than the ZTZ-99 tank but more than 30cm shorter than the 2.7m big tank used by the NATO. Since there is a 0.45m ground clearance, the chief designer's designing and arrangement have to be fitted within a less-than-two-meter-tall body.
An excessive height would not only make the tank ponderous, but also increase the possibility of being discovered and attacked. However, the ZTZ-99A is more than 15 tons lighter than those used by NATO thanks to excellent height control, according to Mao Ming.
Another revolutionary improvement of the ZTZ-99A tank is its considerably enhanced transmission system.
"We equip the ZTZ-99A tank with both manual and automatic operating systems, so that the over-50-ton tank is able to shift gear automatically. It also realizes continuous steering and even pivot steering at any radius through the steering wheel." According to Mao Ming, this technology poses a sharp contrast to previous tanks that can only be operated with a lever, and it makes tank driving as easy as car driving, which is not only less demanding on the driver's physical strength, but also improves the tank's capability and maneuverability during continuous combat. Tank's role not weakened
At the Defense and Security Equipment International Exhibition in London in September 2014, tank was replaced by all kinds of mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles, next-generation soldier combat systems and other equipment. Some European countries have given up tanks.
People begin to wonder whether China's heavy-armor tanks will still be of any use. Mao Ming has thought about this for a long time.
China upholds the independent foreign policy of peace and implements the strategic guideline of active national defense. It borders with 14 countries due to its vast territory, which leads to the complicated geo-strategic competition.
Under the future background of integrated and united combat, the army remains the strategic backbone force for safeguarding national security, an important force in the joint operation, and the main force for ground battle.
Safeguarding territorial security is the basic mission of the military, land control is the basic approach to achieve that, and armored mechanized troops represented by tanks are the most effective ground assault force for land control.
"The role of tank isn't weakened. Instead, strong military powers in the world have all begun a new round of tank exploration and development." Mao Ming introduced that the development of ground assault equipment, of which tank is a typical example, is experiencing a new surge.
-ends-
In the lead up to tomorrow’s military parade, Chinese military websites have been touting the upgraded ZTZ-99A main battle tank, which it will make its official public debut there, and which is described as China’s first “digital” tank. (PLA photo)
It fires cannonballs.
Ping
I wonder if they are round?
This is called “militarization” and preparing for war. What is Obama’s USA doing?
Empowering Iran and Russia while Buying cinnamon rolls in Alaska and expressing deep concern for Climate change. America is on the brink. It is December 6th, 1941 all over again.
If it has true Chobham armour, then Clinton should be in jail.
As all tread heads know, it’s not just the tank, it’s the tankers and their training.
Still they will likely manufacture them in volumes that would make the Soviets blush.
Hope we save the A-10.
Looks like Chinese bought something besides US Treasury Bonds.
On the body of the tank, what appears to be reactive armor seems to be painted on graphics instead. The front of the turret appears to have real reactive armor. If that’s reactive armor on the sides of the turret it is very thick. Given the apparent dimensions I’d say they also are painted on. Slab sides in the modern battlefield without reactive armor are suicide.
The machine gunner is exposed and his life expectancy will be limited in battle.
The undercarriage appears to have a lot of exposed mechanicals that might prove vulnerable.
Based on what I’m seeing I’d rate this tank lower than most everything else in current manufacture.
Just scanning through that bunch of Chinglish, I didn’t see what type of powerplant it has. Do you know?
The Chinese have never won a tank battle. To many chinks in their armour.
That might just be a prototype of course.
One never knows.
Hope that 140mm pig has a autoloader...... currently their 140mm tank rounds are 80 pounds but loaded in two parts so their pip squeak piss ants can load the main gun by hand......yeah thats a quick up. And autoloader will be a must.
Also loadout in there will be less than 30 rounds for the main gun.....
So much for the better projectile versus bigger projectile concepts.
My opinion...
*facepalm*
Oh, it gets better. It also has a “laser dazzler” system. What does that look like, sparklers??? It’s supposed to put on a show for enemy combatants?
“because it is able to launch more types of cannonballs”
Good grief
What you did there, I see it!
The tanks is built well enough to run over civilians.
Warthog food.
Looks like they copied from both NATO and Russia. I think I see an independent commander’s sight and a wind speed sensor. The article describes something to account for ‘gun turbulence’, which I assume is similar to a muzzle reference sensor.
Nut then it looks like it has a Russian style spotlight above the gun. And I don’t see a weapon for a loader, so this may be a 3 man crew/autoloader setup.
Looks like they copied a lot of stuff.
My assessment of the Chinese leads me to believe that they will train hard and become incredibly proficient in something that is very easily measured - gunnery. And, I believe they will not train nearly as much on things that are hard to measure - maneuver, fighting as part of a combined arms team, etc.
The ‘machine gunner’ is the tank commander. He wouldn’t ride into battle exposed like that. On the M-1, that machine gun can be fired and moved remotely, with a periscope sight...this probably has the same.
All that stuff on the undercarriage looks like a mount to me - to connect to a mine roller or plow.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.