GSL132 Chinese Tracked Minefield Breaching Vehicle
GSL132
Mine Clearing Vehicle
Other
Basic Information
Name
GSL132 Chinese Tracked Minefield Breaching Vehicle
Designation
GSL132
Alternate Designation
GSL132; GSL-132
Equipment Type
Mine Clearing Vehicle
Manufacturer
NORINCO
Date of Introduction
2021
Description
The GSL132 Chinese Tracked Minefield Breaching Vehicle was developed as an armored minesweeper with high water navigation capabilities, capable of landing alongside amphibious armored fighting vehicles (AFVs) to create a breakthrough for amphibious AFV forces during landing operations. The vehicle was developed based on the ZBD-05 (VN-18) Chinese Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV). The core mission of the GSL132 is to clear mines and obstacles laid by the defenders during landing operations and to destroy defensive positions. The GSL132 is deployed to the support and security corps (equivalent to a company) of the composite corps (comparable to a battalion) of the unit responsible for amphibious operations, and will participate in the operation as the first wave of landings along with the ZBD-05 and Type 05 amphibious tank (Type 05 Amphibious Assault Vehicle / ZTD-05).
Ground Specifications
Crew
132
Mobility Type
Tracked
Engine
Four-stroke turbocharged water-cooled diesel
Active Protection
Yes
NBC Protection
Yes
System
Alternative Designation
GSL132; GSL-132
Type
Minefield Breaching Vehicle
Manufacturer
Norinco
Chassis
ZBD-05
Crew
The GSL132 is crewed by three people: the commander, the driver, and the equipment operator.
Interior Layout
The interior layout appears to have undergone significant modifications, with the position of the power unit shifted from the front engine of the ZBD-05 to the rear engine. The front part, where the engine was installed in the ZBD-05, is now the crew compartment, with an 8-barrel rocket launcher stored behind it. The middle to rear part of the vehicle is equipped with a twin launcher for explosives and deployment rockets for minefields.
Electronics
The GSL132 is equipped with a full range of electronic equipment, including a satellite positioning system, optical and electronic sensors, a friend-or-foe identification device, and a vehicle-to-vehicle information system. The vehicle's exact current position can be grasped using the satellite positioning system, enabling high-precision minefield clearance and clearly distinguishing between cleared and uncleaned areas. This information is shared with each vehicle in the unit and the command center in the rear using the onboard command and communication system. In an amphibious landing operation, which requires rapid progress, it is necessary to remove obstacles to quickly open up an advanced route and advance behind the defense line from the secured passage. Therefore, sharing information on the location of minefields and advanced routes is a critical capability.
GPB-127 Twin Rocket Launcher
The GSL132 features a minefield-clearing explosive cable in its center and a GBP-127 twin rocket launcher for deploying the explosive cable behind it. This equipment is stored in an external hangar on top of the vehicle. When the rocket is fired, the explosive cable towed by it falls in a vertical line onto the minefield and explodes all at once 20 seconds after firing, detonating the mines. A sign storage device is located at the rear of the vehicle to indicate that the passage has been cleared, and signs are dropped on the ground as appropriate to indicate that the following forces have cleared the passage. The GBP-127 twin rocket launcher can be used for both explosive line and obstacle destruction, depending on the mission.
Eight-Barrel Rocket Launcher
The GSL132 additionally features an eight-barrel rocket launcher stored just behind the crew compartment, which is raised to fire when in use. This equipment is used to destroy obstacles such as pillboxes, cave fortifications, breakwaters, and concrete blocks. The rocket warhead is composed of a shape-charge warhead mounted in tandem. This configuration is designed to increase the likelihood of hitting the target, as the first warhead creates a hole in the target, and the high-speed, high-pressure combustion gas of the second warhead explodes immediately afterwards, penetrating the fortification and maximizing the explosive destruction effect.
Mine Plow
Mine plows equipped on both sides of the front of the vehicle are used to remove mines that could not be detonated by the explosive lines. When driving, these are flipped up and used by touching down when detonating mines. The mines dug up by the mine plows are pushed to both sides of the vehicle along with the soil, allowing safe passage of vehicles on the cleared road.
Smoke Screen
Just before starting the mine clearance work, a smoke screen is deployed using a smoke grenade launcher to deceive the enemy, and then the mine clearance work begins.
Dimensions
Length
9.5 m
Width
3.36 m
Height
3.04 m
Weight, Combat
26.5 tons
Ground Pressure
INA
Automotive
Engine Name
INA
Engine Type
Four-stroke turbocharged water-cooled diesel
Engine Power (Land)
500 hp
Engine Power (Sea)
1,577 hp
Transmission
Machanical
Speed, Maximum Road
65 km/h
Speed, Average Cross
40 km/h
Speed, Mine Clearing
An average speed of 3-5 km per hour is maintained while clearing mines up to 20 cm underground.
Speed, Maximum Swim
25 km/h
Cruising Range (Land)
500 km
Cruising Range (Sea)
INA, estimates have it going as far as 2-3 km of it's land range.
Tracks
Racks are supported by two return rollers located between the first and last pairs of road wheels.
Suspension
Hydropneumatic
Wheels
6, unevenly-spaced road wheels per side
Gradient
60 %
Vertical Obstacle
0.6 m
Trench
2.9 m
Fording Depth
Amphibious
Sea State Capable
Sea State 4
Buoyancy Reserve
Yes
Note
In order to reduce resistance when traveling on water, large bow flaps are installed at the front and rear of the vehicle, just like the ZBD-05. When traveling on water, these are deployed, and the vehicle is navigated using two water jets at the rear of the vehicle, reducing water resistance and improving water travel speed.
Protection
Hull Armor
The hull of the GSL132 is built from welded aluminum to which a modular spaced armor is added, assessed to be composite appliqué armor. At the front of the hull, the bow blade is placed along the glacis and belly plate to provide additional protection from ballistic threats. It is also possible that the front of the hull is used to house a self-sealing fuel tank, a method also employed on the BMP-3.
Hull Armor
30 mm
Sides and Rear Armor
14.5 mm
Turret Armor
INA
Applique Armor
Yes
Explosive Reactive Armor
INA
Active Protection System
Yes
Mine Clearing
Yes, Track width mine plough
Self-Entrenching Blade
INA
NBC Protection
Yes
Smoke Equipment
A total of eight smoke grenade launchers are installed on the sides of the crew compartment, and a smoke screen is deployed as needed, such as immediately before mine clearance work.
Bow Blade
Yes, the bow blade at the front is easily recognizable and is assessed to provide an increase in speed during water crossings.
Belly Plate
Yes
Self-Sealing Fuel Tank
Yes, capable of stopping a 25 mm APFSDS round at 2,000 m.
Automatic Fire Suppression Device.
Yes
Lane Marking System
Lane marking system
Details
Country of Origin
China
Category
Mobility
Land > Combat Support Vehicles > Mobility
Filter Label
G
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
9.5 m
Width
3.36 m
Height
3.04 m
Weight
26500 kg
Operators (1)
China
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