VN-11 Chinese Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

VN-11 is the export version of the ZBD-04

Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)

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VN-11 Chinese Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) — VN-11China(A).jpgTRADOC ODIN WEG

Basic Information

Name

VN-11 Chinese Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

Designation

VN-11 is the export version of the ZBD-04

Alternate Designation

VN-11 is the export version of the ZBD-04

Equipment Type

Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)

Manufacturer

NORINCO

Date of Introduction

2017

Description

The VN-11 is the export variant of the Chinese ZBD-04 IFV. The VN-11 layout, structure and performance is mostly the same as the ZBD-04; however it is assessed there are minor differences between the two platforms as a result of PLA operational security requirements. Although it is suspected that China may have sold the VN-11 to other countries, there are no verified exports of this platform.

Ground Specifications

Crew 3

Engine Turbocharged Diesel (541 hp)

Active Protection A bank of three electrically operated grenade launchers is mounted either side of the turret.

NBC Protection Yes

Amphibious Yes

Variants

ZBD-97 Designation for ZBD-04 prototype.

ZBD-04 Baseline model in service PLA.

ZBD-04 HJ-8 Based on original ZBD-04 with four additional HJ-8 anti-tank missile mounted on the turret.

ZBD-04A The ZBD-04A (industrial designation WZ502G, sometimes referred to as ZBD-08) is an improved variant that sacrifices amphibious performance for better armor protection; add-on armor can be fitted, and the frontal arc can withstand 30 mm rounds along with side skirts added. Although the vehicle is still amphibious, able to propel itself by its tracks to ford lakes and rivers, it lacks waterjets and can no longer operate in open sea.

ZBD-04A AT (AFT-10 Anti-Tank Missile Carrier) ZBD-04A's chassis works as the mobile launching platform for AFT-10 (HJ-10) anti-tank missile. Noted the AFT-10 is a specific version of HJ-10 missile that designed for firing from vehicle launching platform such as ZBD-04A.

ZBD-04A Command Vehicle Modified from original ZBD-04A, featuring a crew cabin with higher ceiling.

ZBD-04A Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle Equipped with radars and electric-optic sights for battlefield surveillance, the chassis of the Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle is modified from standard ZBD-04A. The recon equipment is mounted on a retractable mast.

ZBD-04A Armored Recovery Vehicle Equipped with a crane for emergency vehicle service.

VN-12 Nomenclature for an export variant based on ZBD-04A.

System

Alternative Designation VN-11 is the export version of the ZBD-04

Type Amphibious APC/IFV

Manufacturer Norinco

Crew 3 ea

Troop Compartment Capacity 7 ea

Maximum Effective Range 400 km

Amphibious Yes

Dimensions

Length 7.52 m

Width 3.3 m

Height 2.5 m

Weight,.Combat 21.5 tons

Ground Clearance 0.45 m

Max Speed 70 km/h

Range (On Road) 400 km

Automotive

Engine Name 404 kW (541 bhp) six-cylinder, water-cooled turbo-diesel

Engine Type Turbo-diesel

Engine Power 541 hp

Engine Location Front Right

Cruising Range 400 km

Speed, Maximum Road 70 km/h

Speed, Average Cross 50

Speed, Maximum Swim 13 km/h

Gradient 60 %

Side Slope 40 %

Vertical Step 0.8 m

Trench 2.7 m

Fording Depth 1.4 m

Suspension Traditional torsion bar configuration, with each side having six dual rubber-tire road wheels and a driver sprocket at the front, idler at the rear and track return rollers. Only the upper part of the suspension is covered

Communications

TBR-121

VHF Transceiver Yes

VHF Range 1 to 50 km

Proliferated Widely

Digital Data Yes, Full

Control Self-Adaptive Control (Including Automatic Antenna Tuner)

Frequency Agile Yes

Wireless Network Capabilities Yes

Note: Very similar in capabilities to the US SINCGARS ASIP

Main Gun

System

Name 100 mm 2A70 rifled gun/missile launcher

Type rifled gun/missile launcher

Manufacturer KBP Instrument Design Bureau

Max Rate of Fire 8-10 rds/min

Weight, Combat 332 kg

Automatic Loader Yes

Traverse 360 deg

Elevation -6 through +60 deg

Ammunition (Option 1)

Name 3UOF17

Type HE fragmentation projectile

Caliber 100 mm

Muzzle Velocity 355 m/s

Basic Load (Total) 41 ea

Max Range 7,000 m

Min Range INA

Armor Penetration Yes

Weight, Complete Round 22.9 kg

Weight, Missle 19.4 kg

Ammunition (Option 2)

Type Laser beam-riding Anti-Tank Guided Missile

Name 9M117 Bastion

Caliber 100 mm

Entered Service 1981

Muzzle Velocity 400-500 m/s

Basic Load 8 ea

Max Range 4,000 m

Min Range INA

Armor Penetration Yes

Rocket Burn 6 sec

Rocket Motor Ignites Time 1.5 sec

Guidance Beam-Riding Laser

Prone to Radio or Optical Jamming No

Missile Flight Time 4,000 m

Self Destruct Time 26-41 sec

Auxiliary Weapon System

System

Name 30 mm 2A72 (Shipunov 2A42)

Type 30mm Auto-cannon

Alternate Designation Shipunov 2A42

Manufacurer Tulamashzavod

Date of Introduction 1980

Rate of Fire (Low) 200-300 rds/min

Rate of Fire (High) 550-800 rds/min

Barrels 1 ea

Feed System Twin Feed

Action Gas Operated

Traverse 360 deg

Weight 115 kg

Length, Total 3.027 m

Length, Barrel 2,416 mm

Ammunition

Type Auto-cannon

Caliber 30x165 mm

Muzzle Velocity 960 m/s

Basic Load INA rds

Effective Firing Range 2,000 m

Maximum Firing Range 4,000 m

Armor Penetration Yes

Coaxial Weapon System

System

Name PK 7.62mm Machine Gun (Pulemyot Kalashnikova)

Type 7.62mm Coaxial Machine Gun

Manufacturer Degtyaryov plant

In Service 1961-Present

Proliferation +100 Million

Weight 9 kg

Length, Total 1,203 mm

Length, Barrel 605 mm

Rate of Fire 650 rds/min

Feed System Non-disintegrating metal 50 round belts in 100 and 200/250 round ammunition boxes.

Sights Tangent iron sights (default); Optical, Night-vision, Thermal and Radar sights

Varients PK PKS PKT PKM PKMS

Ammunition

Type 7.62mm Coaxial Machine Gun

Caliber 7.62mmx54mmR

Muzzle Velocity 825 m/s

Basic Load INA

Effective Firing Range (Normal) 1,000 m

Effective Firing Range (With Sight Adjustments) 100-1,500 m

Maximum Firing Range 3,800 m

Armor Penetration Available

Fire Control

Name INA

Computerized FCS Yes

Thermal Vehicle Commander Yes

Thermal Gunner Yes

Gunner Sight a laser guidance system for the 100 mm laser-guided missile.

Main Gun Stabilization Yes

Range, Day Sight INA m

Range, Thermal Sight INA m

Fire on the Move the FCS enables the vehicle to engage stationary and moving targets under all weather conditions, even when firing on the move.

Protection

Hull Armor 90 mm

Turret Armor No Profile

Front Armor the front arc provides protection from 90 mm armor-piercing projectiles.

Side Armor Sides can withstand hits from rocket launchers, such as RPG-7, and some anti-tank guided missiles.

Under the Hull Armor The VN11 withstands mine blasts equivalent to 10 kg of TNT anywhere under the hull.

Applique Armor INA

Explosive Reactive Armor Yes

Active Protection System Yes, A bank of three electrically operated grenade launchers is mounted either side of the turret.

Mine Clearing INA

Self-Entrenching Blade INA

NBC Protection Yes

Smoke Equipment Yes

Automatic Fire Suppression Systems Yes

Battle Management System Yes

Navigation Suite Yes

Firing Port The vehicle's final 'weapon system' is a firing port and viewing aid on each side toward the rear of the hull.Dismounts can also fire out of rear hatches, using the hatch covers locked vertically as shields.

Image Sources

Notes https://www.militarytoday.com/apc/type_97_ifv_images.htm; https://tiananmenstremendousachievements.wordpress.com/2017/08/27/28217/; https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/hj-10.htm; https://en.topwar.ru/109922-sekretnyy-prototip-kitayskoy-bmp-korpus-kurganca-kalibr-stridsfordona-i-perspektivnaya-stels-bashnya.html;

Details

Country of Origin China

Category Land

Land

Classification

Domain

Ground

Equipment Status

Active

Dimensions

Length

7.52 m

Width

3.3 m

Height

2.5 m

Weight

21500 kg

Operators (1)

China

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