Small weapons for a large army
Hong Kong returned to the fold of mainland China 1 July 1997 of the year and is a region in which carefully selected PLA soldiers serve, ranging in number from 4 to 5 to thousands of people. Of course, this is not a very large contingent in comparison with the total number of the Chinese army, but it should be understood that these servicemen are a symbol of China’s political and military power. Probably, therefore, units located on the territory of a special administrative region, which is Hong Kong, are among the first to receive the latest weapons.
We consider a total of nine types of infantry weapons used in Hong Kong, and which, of course, are used in other regions of China. In the designation of weapons, we will use the designation adopted in China itself. For example, Western sources designate Chinese weapons using a hyphen, while in China itself a designation without a hyphen is used, for example, QLZ87 and not QLZ-87.
Pistol QSZ92
The gun QSZ92 manufactured by Norinco Corp. is a standard semi-automatic pistol used by the PLA since the end of the 1990-s. It is believed that work on it began in the year 1994. There are two versions of this gun, QSZ92 -9 chambered for 9 × 19 mm Parabellum and QSZ92-5.8 chambered for 5.8 × 21mm. The frame of the gun is made of polymer, automation works using the recoil energy in the short course of the barrel. Locking is done by turning the barrel.
The capacity of a magazine with a staggered arrangement of cartridges is 15 cartridges for the 9mm caliber and 20 for the 5.8mm caliber. Shock trigger mechanism double action. To mount a flashlight or laser pointer, the gun has guides under the barrel.
The 9 mm version of the pistol is designed for soldiers (for example, special units), and the commanders and officers are given the version for the 5.8 mm cartridge. The gun is widely used by the police in China. In addition to China, the gun is also in service with the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Cambodia.
TTX pistol QSZ92
Weight: 760 grams;
Overall length: 190 mm;
Barrel length: 111 mm;
Magazine capacity: 15 cartridges (9mm), 20 cartridges (5.8mm);
Initial bullet speed: 350 m / s;
Effective range: 50 meters.
Silent Submachine Gun QCW05
Silent submachine gun QCW05 designed for chambered caliber 5.8x21 mm and entered service with the PLA in 2001 year, after winning the competition for the replacement of submachine guns - Type 79 and 85. Externally, the QCW05 bears a resemblance to the Chinese QBZ95 assault rifle. The development of the submachine gun QCW05 was jointly carried out by the 208 Research Institute and Jianshe Industries Corporation located in Chongqing. The latter is part of the China South Industries Group. The QCW05 submachine gun was officially unveiled at the 2005 International Police Show in Beijing.
QCW05 is made according to the bullpup scheme and automatic with a free gate, shooting is conducted from the open shutter. In the design of the butt used polymers. A submachine gun can shoot in single, in 3 bursts and shot and automatic modes. Shop 4-x in-line and is designed for 50 cartridges. Similar to a Type 95 rifle, magazine extraction is possible only on the right side, which creates some inconvenience for left-handers. The rate of fire of the submachine gun QCW05 is intentional, understated in order to improve the control when shooting. Target folding.
In the PLA, the QCW05 submachine gun is designed for ground and air transport crews. The compact dimensions make the QCW05 convenient for use in confined spaces, such as inside a car. Of course, the QCW05 is also designed to arm the special forces, hence the use of a removable silencer. For silent shooting, the subsonic cartridge 5.8 × 21mm DCV05 is also used.
There is a version of JS chambered for 9 mm, which is used mainly by the military police. The JS submachine gun has a magazine capacity designed for 30 cartridges. Performed without a silencer, the submachine gun is designated QCQ05.
TTX submachine gun QCW05
Weight: 2,2 kg;
Overall length: 500 mm;
Barrel length: 250 mm;
Magazine capacity: 30 cartridges (9mm), 50 cartridges (5.8mm);
Initial bullet speed: 150 m / s (subsonic cartridge);
Effective range: 50 meters (with a silencer).
QBU88 (Type 88) sniper rifle
QBU88 semi-automatic sniper rifle caliber 5.8 mm is similar in purpose to the domestic SVD and the American M110. This weapon is one of the first that was created by Chinese gunsmiths, chambered for 5.8х42mm. Judging by the designation Type 88, the rifle was adopted by the PLA, somewhere at the end of the 1980-x or in the subsequent period.
The gas-assisted QBU88 sniper rifle fires heavier 5.8x42mm cartridge, but can also fire with standard 5.8 mm caliber cartridges used for Type 95 assault rifles. The gas piston with a short stroke is located above the barrel, the bolt has three lugs. The rifle is equipped with a standard diopter sight, but is usually equipped with an optical 95-x. Perhaps the installation and other sights and equipment on the short mounting plate. As a rule, the rifle is equipped with a bipod.
The QBU88 sniper rifle is used by both PLA units and the Chinese police.
TTX sniper rifle QBU88 (Type 88)
Weight: 4,2 kg;
Overall length: 920 mm;
Barrel length: 620 mm;
Store capacity: 10;
Effective range: 800 meters.
QJY88 machine gun
A single machine gun Type 88 (Type 88) chambered for 5.8х42mm, replaced the machine gun Type 67. The machine gun is equipped with bipods, and can also be installed on the machine. In the case of installation on the machine gun machine calculation is 2 person.
Despite its designation Type 88, the machine gun entered service with the PLA at the beginning of this millennium. It is alleged that this light machine gun from Norinco’s storerooms is not very popular among the troops, yielding to its predecessor who used more powerful 7.62x54R cartridges. The new machine gun, being lighter than the 67 Type machine gun, is significantly heavier than its foreign counterparts, such as the FN Minimi.
The QJY88 machine gun uses gas automatics with a long stroke gas piston and easily replaceable barrels. The power of the machine gun comes from a plastic box, installed on the left side in which the tape on 200 cartridges is laid.
TTX machine gun QJY885
Weight: kg 11,8 (kg kg 16 with a machine);
Overall length: 1160 mm;
Barrel length: 600 mm;
Magazine capacity: 200 cartridges (mm 5.8x42);
Initial bullet speed: 895 m / s;
Effective range: 800 meters.
Heavy machine gun QJZ89 (Type 89)
The QJZ89 heavy machine gun, chambered for the 12.7 caliber mm, is the Chinese equivalent of the M2. 50 machine gun of the caliber widely used in NATO. The machine gun is designed for use in infantry orders, and for installation on equipment. In addition, the machine gun can be used to defeat lightly armored vehicles and air targets. The standard calculation of the machine gun consists of three people, and it is in service with the battalion or company level.
Automation machine gun mixed type uses both recoil energy and the energy of powder gases. The machine gun, as a rule, is installed on the machine, it has tape feed. The 50 tape box is installed on the left side. Quick-release barrels are equipped with a massive muzzle brake. As a rule, the machine gun is equipped with an optical sight. The rate of fire is 450-600 shots per minute.
The QJZ89 machine gun was first introduced to the public in 1997.
TTX machine gun QJY889
Weight: kg 17,5 (kg kg 26 with a machine);
Overall length: 1920 mm;
Barrel length: 1002 mm;
Magazine capacity: 50 cartridges (mm 12.7x108);
Initial bullet speed: 825 m / s;
Effective range: 1500 meters.
35 mm automatic grenade launcher QLZ87
The development of an automatic grenade launcher for the needs of the PLA began in the 1980-s by the Chinese corporation Norinco at the end of the 1980-s, relying on the achievements of the Soviet gunsmiths in creating the AGS-17. As a result, in the middle of the 1990-ies, a variant of a grenade launcher under the designation W87. On the basis of this development, an automatic QLZ87 grenade launcher was created, which became the first weapon of this type adopted by the PLA. He became an infantry fire support weapon at the level of a platoon and company.
The designers tried to make weapons as easy as possible, even to the detriment of firepower. It is for this reason that the grenade has a rigid locking of the barrel with the help of a butterfly valve, and the automatic grenade launcher's gas-discharge automatics are similar to the M16 rifle when the powder gases directly interact with the bolt group. This reduces the number of moving parts, which leads to weight reduction. Also, to reduce the weight of the designers refused to tape power in favor of the store.
QLZ87 can be used by one soldier with a bipod or calculating with a machine. If the machine is used, the grenade launcher can turn 360 degrees and the elevation angle ranges from -10 to 70 degrees, which theoretically gives him the opportunity to fight low-flying aircraft. The standard sighting device is a 3-x optical scope. The QLZ87 grenade launcher is also installed on vehicles and boats.
Depending on the type of target, the grenade launcher can be loaded with 35x32mm high-explosive fragmentation, cumulative, incendiary and smoke grenades. The rate of fire reaches 45 minute shots. Grenades are loaded into 6 or 15 charging stores. 35 mm grenades, weighing 250 grams, have a larger radius of destruction (10 meters declared) and armor penetration (up to 80 mm) compared to the 40mm grenade of the American McNXX grenade launcher.
A feature of the QLZ87 grenade launcher is the position of the fire control handle (pistol grip), which is located on the right side at an angle to the horizontal plane. The disadvantages of a grenade launcher include low rate of fire and the capacity of the store. Probably, the operating experience of the QLZ87 grenade launcher explains why the new Chinese automatic grenade launcher QLZ04 returned to tape power.
TTX automatic grenade launcher QLZ87
Weight: kg 20 (heavy version);
Overall length: 970 mm;
Store capacity: 6 or 15 grenades;
Initial bullet speed: 200 m / s;
Effective range: 1750 meters.
50 mm QLT89 grenade launcher
QLT89 is a portable grenade launcher caliber 50 mm, the design of which was finally formed at the beginning of 1990-s. The weight of the grenade launcher is only 3,8 kg, and it can provide fire support at a distance of up to 800 meters. The main elements of the grenade launcher are the launch tube, the stop, the trigger mechanism and the carrying strap. For aiming the grenade launcher is equipped with a folding sight.
The advantages of the QLT89 grenade launcher include ease of handling, as well as the fact that it does not produce flashes or smoke, and has low noise when fired. The PLA 50 mm grenade launcher is used at the level of platoons and mouths. The main ammunition of the grenade launcher is a fragmentation grenade weighing 700 grams and 330 mm long, which breaks into 800 fragments and defeats within 16 radius of meters. Also in the range are incendiary and lighting grenades. To date, there is an improved version of the grenade launcher under the designation QLT89A.
TTX 50mm QLZ89 grenade launcher
Weight: 3,8 kg;
Overall length: 600 mm;
Effective range: 800 meters.
82 mm mortar PP87
82 mm mortar PP87, manufactured by Norinco Corporation, has replaced the mortar Type 67 (Type 67). The mortar is used at the battalion level and can fire with three types of ammunition - high-explosive, smoke and light.
TTX 80mm PP87 grenade launcher
Weight: 39,7 kg;
Overall length: 1400 mm;
Effective range: 120 - 4660 meters.
120 mm PF98 rocket launcher
The last on our list is the Norinco Corporation anti-tank rocket launcher, which replaced the obsolete Type 78 and 65 recoilless guns. The development of these weapons began in the 1990s, as a result of which, the PF98 ranked between individual rocket launchers and more sophisticated anti-tank guided installations. For destruction tanks, armored vehicles, bunkers and fortifications used 120 mm rockets.
For the first time this weapon was demonstrated in the Macao garrison in 1999 year, and today PF98 is widely used in the PLA at the battalion and company level. 120 mm missile, can be high-explosive, or cumulative with the declared armor penetration in 800 mm. The cumulative missile weighs 6.3 kg and has a tandem warhead. The high-explosive missile weighs 7.5 kg and contains 120 steel balls and incendiary material that can penetrate 400 mm of armor (English text: "... 400 mm of armor").
PF98 is available in two versions. In the first, the grenade launcher is equipped with a telescopic sight (with a channel for night vision), a laser rangefinder, a fire control computer and an LED display. In the second version, the grenade launcher is equipped with a simple 4-x multiple optical sight (with a channel for night vision). The first version assumes greater efficiency because it allows you to perform the necessary ballistic calculations for the grenade launcher operator.
In 2010, a modified version of the Hong Kong garrison was displayed under the designation PF98A. Visually, the new version features a modified fire control unit, which implies increased accuracy and fewer control buttons (12 instead of 25). In 2006, the rocket was also upgraded. According to the information provided by the PLA, the new grenade launcher has a 1.25 meter length and a weight of about 7 kg. Early launch tube made of fiberglass weighed about 10 kg.
The calculation of the PF98 grenade launcher can be from one to two people when firing from the machine or from the shoulder. From the moment a target is detected before a missile launch, 10 seconds are required, and in a minute it can be released from 4 to 6 missiles. In addition to China, the 120 mm rocket launcher PF98 purchased Bangladesh, Indonesia and Zimbabwe.
TTX 120mm РР87 rocket launcher
Weight: 29 kg;
Overall length: 1191 mm;
Effective range: 800 - 1800 meters (depending on the type of rocket).
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