"Chinese tank Type 99 - one of the three best in the world in terms of combat potential"
An article posted on military.china.com by a network writer named Shu Zhongxing in December 2009 focused on a sensational interview with the chief designer tank Type 99 Zhu Yusheng in the television program "The Great Masters" on CCTV10. A.2 has refereed this text, which, in our opinion, may be of some interest. Shu's own reasoning is omitted as far as possible, and the quotations he cited by Zhu Yusheng and his deputy are preserved.
Zhu Yusheng’s speech in the Great Masters program caused a stir and controversy among Chinese and foreign lovers of military subjects. Simply put, the designer stated bluntly that according to the three most important indicators of the combat potential - mobility, firepower and security, the Type 99 tank ranks first in the world. In the eyes of the general designer in the 10 ranking of the best tanks in the world, the real leaders are the Chinese Type 99, the American M1A1 / M1A2 Abrams and the German Leopard 2, and the rest do not deserve even a mention. And among these three best tanks, the Type 99 could defeat Abrams and Leopard, taking first place.
Constructor says that the program to create a tank Type 99 was launched in the 1980-s. and then the Central Military Council set itself the task of only achieving parity with the world models of third-generation armored vehicles. “We ourselves thought that, of course, we can achieve a balance, but what is the use of it, if in fact our task is to destroy them utterly?” Thus, the level of development, which the general designer initially laid, exceeded the level of the third generation of Western tanks, and requirements of the Central Military Council.
Previously, it was unofficially believed that the 99 Type was the first in Asia and without any questions is among the top five world tanks, but now it turns out that these estimates were too conservative and the 99 Type is the best tank in the world! Here are some reasons.
According to the designers of the Type 99 tank, at the armament selection stage there was a serious debate, using the 120-mm or 125-mm gun, many of the participants in the discussion objected to using the same gun as on the T-72. But in fact, according to Yusheng, the western technology was worse than the Russian one in tank guns. The 120-mm gun has a throwing charge of 9,8 liters, the Chinese 125-mm gun has a throwing charge of 13,4 liters. Tests have shown that the Chinese 125-mm gun, of course, more powerful than the 120-mm guns.
Deputy General Designer Wang Zherong says proudly that tanks Type 99 is entirely designed by the Chinese. If we talk about the firepower of this tank, the 125-mm smoothbore gun, using a projectile with a tungsten alloy core with a tail stabilizer, is capable of penetrating more than 2000 mm of homogeneous armor at 850 distance m and more than 960 mm using penetrators from a special alloy. If we talk about the tank fire control system, then the hunter-killer type fire control system, which is at the advanced world level, is used. Its important feature is that the tank commander can control weapons in addition to the gunner - including shooting, target tracking, target designation, etc.
Wang Zherong stated that the American MBT M1A2 Abrams gun with 2000 m penetrates 810 mm of armor, Leopard 2A6 near 900 mm, Japanese Type 90 650 mm, so there is no doubt about the leadership in technical characteristics.
With regard to security, to ensure protection against missiles tank Type 99 has not only reactive armor, but also two other trump cards. First of all, it is the first in the world laser suppression system for enemy sights. It is installed in the sight of the tank and moves in sync with the weapons. The point is to observe the enemy, staying out of his sight. On the newest versions of the tank, the Type 99 laser device for optical suppression, glare and interference is located at the rear of the tower. The maximum range of its use is 4000 m. A system consisting of a control computer, a laser machine and a jammer is usually installed on a rotating platform in the left rear of the tower, and the gunner and the tank commander can control the system. It is estimated that the maximum laser power is about 100 MJ, which makes it possible to damage the retina of the enemy’s eyes at a distance of more than 2000 and incapacitate his optoelectronics.
The system has two operating modes. In the passive mode, it detects the position of the enemy through a detection device and marks the position of the target with weak laser radiation. Then, at the command of the computer, the radiation intensity increases dramatically and it "becomes hard." In the active mode, the system first scans the terrain in search of a target, then, upon detecting enemy observation and aiming devices, in the automatic mode opens fire for their destruction.
According to the Chinese designers, although the United States and Russia have long developed laser weapon systems, they are in the process of testing their installation on tanks. In China, the technology of laser suppression systems with the sight is ready and takes the leading place in the world.
According to the tank's general designer, none of the anti-tank missiles in use are currently capable of overcoming its passive defense; in combination with the active defense, it makes no sense to even mention the defeat of the tank. An active protection system using a computer determines the optimal distance to the projectile arriving at the tank, and then shoots a protective charge. Its deviation from the threat does not exceed a meter, and destruction is guaranteed in this radius. The system does not need to control a person. Search, target tracking and aiming are carried out automatically. Abroad, this technology has not yet been noticed.
General Designer Zhu Yusheng said openly that the thickness of the armor of the tank turret 99 Type in frontal projection reaches 700 mm, hull - 500-600 mm, taking into account the installation on the tower and the body of a new reactive armor, it can reach 1000-1200 mm. In the American М1А2 Abrams, this indicator is 600-700 mm, in Leopard 2А6 580 mm, in the Japanese Type 90 500-600 mm. Thus, the armor of the Chinese tank and its western competitors is approximately at the same level.
If we consider the complex active and passive protection, the author of the Type 99 proposes to recognize that his child takes first place in the world in terms of security thanks to two active protection systems.
With regard to mobility, the Type 99, despite the lag in certain areas, in general, reached the advanced world level.
Wang Zherong says that the tank uses a “cold-type” diesel with turbocharging power 1200 l. s., allowing the tank to accelerate to 32 km / h in 12 seconds. The lag in engine technology has turned the engine into a weak link in the 99 Type tank; however, according to the general designer, the measures taken have made it possible to compensate for this deficiency. Zhu Yusheng says that according to many, if the M1A2 Abrams has an 1500 engine, l. with. then xnumx l. with. - this is the modern level. This is a misconception, the designer believes, the mobility of the tank depends primarily on its power density. At М1500А1 Abrams it makes 2 l. with. per ton, while with Type 23,8 the power density is even slightly higher. As a result, mobility is at the same level, and the Chinese have less fuel consumption. In addition, the load on the rear services is significantly reduced. Thus, the Type 99 does not lag behind in mobility, consumes less fuel and due to this it has a greater power reserve.
Wang Zherong recognizes that the industry of Western countries has a solid foundation, the level of engine building is high, the reliability and power of engines and transmissions are also high. Now there is some lag behind Abrams and Leopard 2А6, but when will the development of a new domestic tank diesel engine with a capacity of 1500 l be completed. with., this lag will be reduced.
Zhu Yusheng notes that the 99 Type has a low silhouette - it is 400 mm below the Leopard 2A6 and 200 mm below the M12. This increases survival by reducing the area of the projection affected. Reducing the silhouette of a tank is not an easy task, requiring very compact placement of mechanisms. The United States wanted to reduce the silhouette of the M1А2 Abrams, but could not, because the engine and transmission have a great height. Tank hull Type 99 is composite, many parts can be dismantled and replaced. Thus, not only was it possible to reduce the mass, but also to create a reserve for further modernization.
Although the tank is lower than the M1, its chassis is higher than that of the American tank, which contributes to the growth of mobility and maneuverability in difficult terrain. Thus, in terms of mobility, the 99 Type roughly corresponds to the Leopard 2А6 and М1А2 Abrams.
Wang Zherong said that it was not easy to reach today's advanced level in Chinese tank building - this is the result of the work of three generations of people. “We must be focused on the demands of the war of the future, we must not slavishly follow foreign tendencies, because otherwise we will be doomed to lag. What doubts can there be that the Type 99 is one of the three best tanks in the world? ”
P.2 confounded: so far, we were convinced in the editorial office that only our Palestinians use the phrase “has no analogues in the world” and its derivatives in the area mode — until all living things in the affected area lose the ability to perceive information without prejudice. about armaments of the Russian development. Now, of course, the grand prix in the 21 Century vundervaffe nomination is leaving the Chinese comrades.
The analytical department P. 2 has long wondered if there is anything in the world where the masterpiece Type 99 may be imperfect. We came to the conclusion that it makes sense for Chinese designers to introduce literally one innovation - and the world will surely gasp and freeze in awe.
In our opinion, the tank is strictly necessary to equip seats, catapults for the crew and, optionally, for the landing. One thought that China is able to take care of its tank crews, as the rest of the world cares only for military pilots, can paralyze the will of almost any enemy.
An article from the site’s archive was posted on the "BO" in June 2010 of the year.
Information