Tank "Type 96B": scores and competitions
Recall, China participates in Russian competitions with 2014 of the year. From the very beginning, the Chinese national team decided not to use the Russian-made tanks offered by the organizer, which is why the crews came to the competition with their equipment. In previous years, they performed on tanks "Type 96A", and now as a vehicle for the competition were offered armored vehicles of the new modification "Type 96B".
"Type 96B" or ZTZ 96B is the latest at the moment the representative of his family and is a further development of the previous machines. Using new units and units, as well as some modern developments, the company NORINCO, producing the bulk of Chinese armored vehicles, recently proposed another version of a set of measures aimed at improving the basic characteristics of technology. According to reports, the main innovations of the project "Type 96B" concerned the modernization of the power plant and transmission, with which it was planned to increase the mobility of technology.
Tank "Type 96B". Photo Warspot.ru
Being a development of the existing armored vehicle, "Type 96B" retains some of its features. So, without significant changes, the hull and tower with counter-booking and combined frontal protection are borrowed from the existing project. In addition, the proposed use of dynamic protection, further reducing the likelihood of injury. The classic layout of the hull is also preserved with the location of all the power plant and transmission units in the stern.
As the main weapons tanks of all modifications of the “Type 96” family carry an 125-mm smooth-bore ZPT-98 gun, considered to be a variant of the Soviet / Russian 2-46 cannon. The gun is equipped with automatic loader and is able to use various types of ammunition. In addition, compatibility with guided missiles launched through the barrel. Additional armament consists of a coaxial machine gun rifle caliber and large-caliber on the turret. The use of smoke grenade launchers is also envisaged.
In the original version, the tanks "Type 96A", according to available data, are equipped with diesel engines manufactured by NORINCO company with 1000 horsepower. A mechanical planetary transmission is used, which is a further development of the tank systems "Type 88". The tank has a chassis based on six road wheels with individual torsion bar suspension on each side. Used guide wheels front layout and leading aft. With a 42,5 T combat weight, the “Type 96A” tank is capable of speeding up to 65 km / h.
Previously appeared unconfirmed information about the modernization of tanks intended to be sent to the competition. According to these data, in order to improve the driving performance in preparation for a tank biathlon, the 96A Type machines received improved engines that developed power up to 1200 hp. In the case of the next modernization project, the use of the new engine also took place. Now 1200-strong engine is the standard equipment of tanks "Type 96B".
According to the latest reports of the Chinese press, including those related to the armed forces, tanks of the 96 Type family can become the main armored vehicles of their class in the military in the foreseeable future. As of the end of last year, the People’s Liberation Army of China had approximately 7 thousand tanks of different models, including about 2 thousand "Type 96" of two existing modifications. At the same time, the "Type 96" are not the newest and most advanced Chinese tanks: mass production of the newer "Type 99" has already been launched. However, the total number of the latter does not exceed 600 units, which is associated with the high cost of such equipment. As a result, it is expected that “Type 96B” will go into mass production, while more advanced “Type 99” will be built in much smaller quantities.
Chinese experts are of the opinion that the main tank "Type 96B" is currently the most successful Chinese development in this area in terms of cost and efficiency. In addition, according to its characteristics, it is claimed that this technique is not inferior to foreign models of the present time. Thus, this armored vehicle turns out to be the most convenient means of re-equipping tank units, which still contain old types of equipment, including those that no longer meet the requirements of the times.
In early July, the Chinese military began preparing equipment for shipment to the competition. In the first days of last month, there were reports of loading several tanks "Type 96B" on railway platforms and sending to Russia. A few days later, photos of the echelon, already taken on the territory of our country, appeared in free access. In mid-July, Chinese crews and tanks arrived in the Moscow region to participate in competitions.
The participation of new Chinese tanks in competitions showed both advantages and disadvantages of the existing modernization. As it turned out, the new technique does have some advantages, but it is not without drawbacks. The positive aspects of modernization affected the overall mobility indicators. At the same time, for one reason or another, tanks "Type 96B" faced with certain problems.
According to some reports, the upgraded tanks before the competition underwent additional training. First of all, part of the systems and equipment was dismantled from them. To reduce the mass of combat tanks for biathlon lost dynamic protection, part of the fuel tanks, etc. Weight reduction in combination with the engine power 1200 hp was supposed to provide high mobility. For example, there were estimates of the possibility of acceleration to 75-80 km / h.
Chinese tanks on the way to Alabino. Photo Vestnik-rm.ru
At the initial stages of the tank biathlon, such estimates and assumptions were fully justified. Chinese crews on the “Type 96B” demonstrated a certain advantage over their rivals in speed and dynamic characteristics. Nevertheless, in the future, the parameters of the tanks began to decline, adversely affecting the results of races. Probably, the new high-powered power plant did not have time to go through the whole complex of tests in various conditions and the necessary refinement, which did not allow to maintain the performance at the required level throughout all the competitions.
Another characteristic feature of the Chinese tank crews can speak about the lack of knowledge of the transmission and control systems. So, repeatedly there was an exit for the limits of the specified route noted by columns. This may indicate a lack of experience of the crew, as well as the specific characteristics of the equipment, which does not show the desired controllability.
Most of the problems of Chinese tanks "Type 96B" during the competition was noticeable only to specialists, but not without obvious breakdowns, which do not require special knowledge or skills to determine. August 13 after passing one of the obstacles, the Chinese tank was forced to stop due to a breakdown. Loads when driving through the so-called. comb led to the destruction of the mountings of the balancer front left support roller. The skating rink and the balance bar made chaotic movements inside the caterpillar for several seconds, then flew out and drove off to the edge of the track.
After a breakdown, the Chinese tank went through some of the route, and then stopped, waiting for replacement. The crew had to finish the race on another machine. In addition, due to a breakdown on the track, the team was charged a fine.
For obvious reasons, the incident with the support roller is perhaps the most discussed topic in the context of the recent Tank Biathlon Championship. Indeed, equipment failures at competitions or in preparation for them do not happen very often, which is why each such incident attracts special attention. In addition, an additional reason for interest is the fact that the Chinese team uses its own technique. Thus, there is a reason to consider the performance at a competition in the context of determining the potential of a vehicle as a whole.
The tank that lost the rink. Photo Tvzvezda.ru
Interestingly, it is not the first time when Chinese tankers are faced with technical problems. So, in 2014, at one of the stages of the competition, they needed a new car, because the tank on which they started, simply stalled and needed repair. Now the list of reasons for the replacement of equipment includes an accident with a support roller.
According to the results of recent competitions there are grounds for criticism of the latest Chinese armored vehicles. The participation of tanks in biathlon showed that they have a number of problems that in one way or another worsen the real characteristics and capabilities. In addition, they do not allow vehicle crews to fully realize all the advantages associated with the innovations of the modernization project. As a result, there was a deterioration in performance, as well as obvious damage.
The main objective of the project “Type 96B”, as follows from the data published by China, was to increase the mobility of the tank with the help of a more powerful engine. The increase in power at the level of 20% relative to the base modification “Type 96A” should have significantly increased the speed parameters of the machine, as well as simplified the overcoming of various obstacles. However, as shown by the participation of armored vehicles in recent Russian competitions, to date, it still has certain problems that do not allow the use of the power plant with full efficiency.
In addition, there is reason for the lack of reliability. In the course of overcoming obstacles that are not a serious difficulty for modern tanks, the Chinese machine "Type 96B" lost the track roller and balance bar. Despite the loss of the undercarriage element, the tank was able to continue moving, which indicates its high survivability, but full participation in the races after that was impossible. Fortunately for the crew, the tank of the same type fitted for the replacement carried out all the tasks assigned to it without noticeable problems.
Once again, Chinese participants in a tank biathlon held in Russia used their own equipment, rejecting the one proposed by the organizers. During the competition, these cars brought some troubles to their crews, but in general, the results of the Chinese national team performances look very successful. In the overall team standings, the tankers of the People’s Liberation Army of China took second place, losing only to the Russian participants, which can speak about the good capabilities of technology and the corresponding skills of its crews.
Damaged undercarriage. Photo Ursa-tm.ru
It is quite obvious that even before the end of the competition, Chinese specialists began to study and analyze the problems that had arisen in order to find their solutions and further improve the serial equipment. There is reason to believe that the following deficiencies of the “Type 96B” will be corrected for the following competitions, thanks to which such tanks will be able to pass around the track and hit the indicated targets without any problems this time.
However, it will be necessary to correct not only technical shortcomings, but also the reputation of technology. Problems with engines and damage to the undercarriage can seriously hit the image of tanks "Type 96B" in the eyes of potential customers. Such equipment has a certain export potential, but the inability to show themselves from a good side during a competition can change the opinion of its potential buyers. In addition, the situation takes on a specific look in the light of statements by Chinese experts and experts. They claim that the newest tank of China in its characteristics is not inferior to foreign technology, but in practice the situation does not look like that.
Whether NORINCO can cope with the current tasks of improving technology and restoring its reputation will be shown by time. Next year, the Chinese industry will get a new chance to demonstrate their latest developments during the next World Tank Biathlon Championship.
On the materials of the sites:
http://tvzvezda.ru/
http://arms-expo.ru/
https://regnum.ru/
http://hindustantimes.com/
http://vestnik-rm.ru/
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