"Unmanned amphibious combat vehicle" from CSGC Corporation
Experienced amphibian on trials
As part of the recent Airshow China 2022, the Chinese defense industry presented a lot of interesting samples. One of the most interesting new products was an experienced tracked unmanned amphibian developed by CSGC Corporation. In this project, several interesting technical ideas are implemented, due to which a special combination of characteristics and operational capabilities is provided.
Premiere in Moscow
At the very beginning of November, Chinese television showed a report on preparations for a future exhibition. Among other exhibits, a previously unknown car of an unusual appearance got into the frame for the first time. She was designated as "Amphibious Unmanned Combat Vehicle" ("Unmanned amphibious combat vehicle"); no details were given, but the main features of the design could be considered.
A curious video was published a few days later, showing various exhibits at the test sites. Along with other samples, it also demonstrated an experienced combat amphibian (or amphibian). This technique showed its running characteristics on the water, on the sandy shore and even on the snowy plain.
From shore to water
It became known that an unusual unmanned complex is being developed by several organizations from the China South Industries Group Corporation (CSGC). The project started a few years ago, and by now it has reached full-fledged tests at various test sites.
Based on the test results, certain improvements are carried out, incl. affecting the appearance of technology. In this regard, the prototype from the promotional video and the exhibition exhibit are noticeably different from each other, incl. design of key units. Perhaps, in the course of further development of the project, some changes will be made again.
Unfortunately, development organizations do not disclose most of the information about their project. The technical features and characteristics of the prototype machine, the full list of expected features of one kind or another, as well as the developers' plans for the future are unknown. However, the amphibian itself is of great interest for study.
Technical solutions
As follows from the available information, the goal of the CSGC project is to create a promising multi-purpose tracked platform with amphibious capabilities. In this case, the machine does not receive the driver's workplace and is controlled remotely or autonomously. Such a platform can be used as the basis for robotic complexes for various purposes with one or another target equipment.
Experienced amphibians are built in a boat-hull with characteristic contours. It has a protruding bow with an inclined lower part, vertical sides and a horizontal roof-deck. There are niches in the sides that accommodate the propellers of the original design. The stern part is curved, and a jet propulsion unit is placed on it. It can be seen that the bodies of the two machines shown are slightly different. Probably, according to the test results, the project was finalized.
The type of power plant is unknown. Judging by the pipes and grate on the roof, an internal combustion engine is used. A transmission is connected to it, delivering power to four "land" propulsion units and a water cannon. Obviously, the power plant has automatic controls.
Side view, you can see the design of the chassis
The original undercarriage, designed for movement on land, attracts attention. In the niches of the hull, independent caterpillar propellers of small sizes are placed. Each such unit is built on the basis of a frame of complex shape. On top of it is the drive wheel, in front of the rear - guide wheels. There are also four interlocked road wheels of small diameter in pairs. The rollers are covered with rubber tracks.
Such a mover has an individual hydraulic or hydropneumatic suspension with the possibility of vertical movement. After launching, the propeller rises, and the lower part of the caterpillar is at the level of the bottom, which reduces water resistance. To further improve performance, the propeller can be closed with a side shield.
Both amphibians have a stern water jet with water intake through a window in the bottom. Additional funds are installed on the nozzle. So, the prototype from the promotional video had a movable reverse bucket of a simple shape, and a more complex design in the form of Y-shaped pipes was installed on the exhibition machine. A movable shield is placed below the water jet to improve the flow around the bottom of the hull.
Water cannon first version
The composition of the control system and its modes of operation are unknown. Probably, the machines are equipped with a set of cameras for review, some kind of autopilot and means of communication with the operator. At the same time, there are no large units that could be unambiguously associated with control equipment outside the case. The existing composition of the equipment allows the machines to move at high speed on land and water.
The amphibian is multipurpose and can carry different payloads. During the demonstrated tests, a cargo platform was installed on the hull in the form of a platform with lattice sides. At Airshow China 2022, a more interesting package was shown - on the roof there was a full-fledged combat module with optics and rockets / grenade launchers. In addition, a column with devices of unclear purpose was placed behind the module. Like the carrier vehicle, the DBM is controlled remotely from the operator's console.
Apparently, the unmanned amphibian will be able to carry other payload options or special equipment. First of all, we should expect the use of other weapons, up to small-caliber artillery. In addition, it is possible to install various means of observation and reconnaissance, both independently and in combination with weapons.
Unmanned perspectives
CSGC Corporation showed tests of a promising amphibian, and also presented a prototype at an open event. All this may indicate the progress of the project and the receipt of at least part of the desired results. In addition, an unusual car could attract the attention of the armed forces and is already being evaluated by them.
In general, such a sample should be of interest to the armed forces. An unmanned platform with the ability to move on land and water can be used in various fields and solve a wide range of tasks. So, the cargo version of such a machine can be used to supply troops at the forefront, for example, an amphibious assault.
The installation of various combat modules with one or another weaponry and other equipment opens up the widest possibilities. An unmanned vehicle of this kind will be able to conduct reconnaissance or provide support to the troops and fire at various targets. She can also be entrusted with patrolling the terrain and water areas, escorting columns, etc. At the same time, it makes sense to choose those missions that require amphibious qualities.
Combat version of the amphibian on display
It is necessary to study and work out the possibilities of group use of unmanned amphibians to solve all the proposed tasks. In addition, it is necessary to provide for the possibility of joint work with manned vehicles of various types. In all cases, various benefits can be obtained.
However, the presented car is interesting not only for the lack of a driver and related features. You should pay attention to the original movers for work on land and on water. So, the developers of the project abandoned the wheel mover, but did not use the usual caterpillars the length of the entire body.
The use of separate trolley units made it possible to obtain the optimal area of the supporting surface - with a reduction in specific pressure and without a sharp increase in friction and resistance. However, this led to the complication of the chassis. In addition, a transmission was needed with power distribution to four drive wheels, and not to two, characteristic of conventional tracked vehicles. At the same time, the general characteristics of the propulsion unit turned out to be at the required level, which is confirmed by tests.
Machine with a modified stern and new units
Based on the test results, the jet propulsion is being finalized. A later exhibition sample received other units, which should give higher performance. However, the previous prototype showed a high speed. It was achieved both due to the water jet, and with the help of the correct form of the hull, cleaning the tracks, deflecting shield, etc.
After the exhibition
In general, an unmanned amphibious vehicle from CSGC is interesting, at least from a technical point of view. In this project, several curious ideas and solutions of various kinds were used, and it was precisely such a combination of them that had never been seen anywhere before. Despite the novelty and the risks associated with it, the developers managed to make a workable design with fairly high performance.
It can be expected that the presented project will be of interest to various structures from the PLA, and its further development will take into account their requirements and in the interests of the army. The result of this will be a general improvement of the current platform, as well as the emergence of a number of specialized modifications with the necessary equipment. If the project really develops, then the first samples of this kind can be shown at the next Airshow China exhibition.
- Ryabov Kirill
- CSGC, CCTV
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