Basic Information

Name

ZBD-03 (Type 03) Chinese Airborne Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

Designation

ZBD-2000

Alternate Designation

ZBD-2000; Type 03; ZLC-2000; VN-10 (export designation)

Equipment Type

Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

Manufacturer

—

Date of Introduction

2010

Description

The ZBD-03 or Type 03 (industrial designation WZ506) is a Chinese airborne infantry fighting vehicle. It features a light-weight chassis and hydro-pneumatic suspension for airborne operations. The ZBD-03 bears some external resemblance to the BMD-3, particularly with regards to its main armament. However, the chassis and internal subsystems possess a different layout. The ZBD-03 retains the Russian parachute system for landing from an Il-76 transport aircraft. The ZBD-03 has a crew of three (a commander, a driver, and a gunner) and is able to carry five infantry passengers in a troop compartment. The ZBD-03 bears some external resemblance to the BMD-3, particularly with regards to its main armament. However, the chassis and internal subsystems possess a different layout. The ZBD-03 retains the Russian parachute system for landing from an Il-76 transport aircraft. The ZBD-03 has a crew of three (a commander, a driver, and a gunner) and is able to carry five infantry passengers in a troop compartment. The gunner is seated in the single-man turret located in the middle of the chassis. The driver and commander are located in tandem to the left of the power compartment in the front right of the chassis. The troop compartment is located in the rear with two overhead hatches and a rear exit. The suspension system of ZBD-03 consists of five lightweight road wheels and three return rollers with a front-mounted drive sprocket. The hydro-pneumatic suspension has variable ground clearance, minimum exhibited in the commission of landing the plane in order to reduce the force of impact on the ground. The ZBD-03 is equipped with a single-man turret with a 30mm gun capable of firing an armor-piercing round. A missile rail launcher at the top of the turret is included as part of the HJ-73C anti-tank guided missile (ATGM). Secondary weaponry includes a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun and three smoke grenade dischargers mounted to each side of the turret. The ZBD-03 armor protection is limited by the weight restrictions necessary for airdropping. With a combat weight of 8 tonnes, the vehicle’s armor is thin and sloped to maximize resistance to small-caliber weapons. The gunner has a day/night thermal scope and an emergency backup day sight. The gun system is fully stabilized. The driver and commander have their own observation instruments installed on the hatch.

Ground Specifications

Crew 3

Mobility Type Tracked

Main Weapon 30mm gun

Engine Diesel (350 hp)

Armor Welded Steel

NBC Protection Yes

Amphibious Yes

Max Speed 65.0 km/h

Range 500.0 km

Variants

ZLC-2000 The ZLC-2000 has been in service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Airborne Corps since 2003. China decided to develop the ZLC-2000 in the late 1990s after a failure to reach agreement with Russia over the purchase or licensed-production of BMD-series vehicles. The first prototype is thought to have been delivered in 2003. Development of the K/STW-17 vehicle air dropping system was completed in 2004. The ZLC-2000 was first seen in operational service in 2005 and was noted as a participant in the Peace Mission 2005 exercise with Russia. The vehicle was first displayed publicly as part of the Oct. 1, 2010, parade celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

ZBD-03 Command Post The command and control version features a higher rear hull to accommodate staffs.

ZBD-03 ATGM Carrier Armed with the HJ-8 ATGM anti-tank guided missile.

TKUP-201 The TKUP-201 is a new weapon designed for airborne troops, significantly enhancing their fire support capabilities during ground combat after parachuting. It addresses the previous challenges of breaching solid targets due to a lack of heavy weaponry. The 120mm artillery piece, while classified as medium-caliber, has a charge weight ranging from 2.2 to 3 kilograms (depending on the shell type), which is about 40% heavier than the 105mm shell. This howitzer-mortar hybrid offers the functionalities of both a howitzer and a mortar. It boasts a large firing elevation angle, estimated to exceed 80°, allowing it to effectively target the reverse slope of enemy defensive positions. Additionally, the use of drone reconnaissance and calibration significantly enhances the accuracy of strikes against obstructed targets. The TKUP-201 self-propelled howitzer is complemented by an ammunition supply vehicle, which ensures a timely replenishment of ammunition alongside the gun vehicle, thereby improving sustained firepower. To reduce weight, the body of the TKUP-201 is constructed from aluminum alloy. While aluminum alloy lacks the hardness of steel, it possesses superior ductility. This means that when bullets or shrapnel strike the body, the aluminum alloy fibers can effectively diminish the projectile's kinetic energy due to their high tensile strength, resulting in reduced damage. As a result, aluminum alloy plates of equal thickness exhibit better ballistic performance compared to steel plates. The airborne vehicles are also equipped with bolts for the installation of external armor, allowing for the addition of ceramic armor modules and nylon protective grids to further enhance protection during combat.

System

Alternative Designation ZBD-2000; Type 03; ZLC-2000; VN-10 (export designation)

Type Airborne Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

Crew 3 ea

Troop Compartment Capacity 5 ea

Maximum Effective Range 500 km

Amphibious Yes

Airborne Capable Yes

Number of Parachutes Four large parachutes and four smaller parachutes.

Parachute Location parachute system is installed on the roof of the vehicle behind the turret

Total Area, Parachute System 760 m2

Weight, Parachute System 100 kg

Dimensions

Length 6 m

Width 2.35 m

Height (to Turret Roof) 2.2 m

Weight 8,000 kg

Ground Clearance 0.40 m

Automotive

Engine Name INA

Engine Type Air-cooled Diesel

Engine Power 350 hp

Power to Weight Ratio 43.75 hp/ton

Cruising Range 500 km

Speed, Maximum Road 65 km/h

Speed, Average Cross INA

Speed, Maximum Swim 6 km/h

Fording Depth INA

Gradient 60 %

Side Slope 30 %

Vertical Obstacle (Forwards) 0.65 m

Trench 1.6 m

Suspension Hydro-pneumatic

"Squat" enabled Yes, (hull lowered fully) or "kneel" (front/rear of the hull lowered).

Running Gear Tracked

Air Conditioning Yes

Communications

Digital Communication System Yes

Blue Force Tracking Yes

TBR-121 VHF Radio

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 1 x 2A72 (Shipunov 2A42) 30mm Auto-Cannon

Type Auto-Cannon

Caliber 30 mm

Manufacturer Tulamashzavod

Date of Introduction 1980

Length, Total 3.027 m

Length, Barrel 2,416 mm

Weight 115 kg

Action Gas Operated

Traverse 360 deg

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

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

Barrels 1 ea

Feed System Twin Feed

Ammunition (Option 1)

Type Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot with Tracer(APFSDS-T)

Caliber 30 mm

Muzzle Velocity (at 21°) (nominal) 1,275 m/s

Basic Load 125 ea

Maximum Effective Range 2,800 m

Min Range INA

Armor Penetration Yes

Round Mass (Nominal) 675 g

Projectile Mass (Nominal) 220 g

Round Length 280 mm

Tracer 2.5 sec

Cartridge Case Steel

Primer Percussion cap

Penetration at 1,000 >45mm RHA steel at 60° obliquity

Dispersion 0.45 Mills

Operational temperature -32°C to +62°C

Ammunition (Option 2)

Type High Explosive Incendiary

USSR Designation UOF-84

Caliber 30 mm

Description Shell filled with 48,5g HEI, with A-670M fuze

Muzzle Velocity 960 m/s

Max Range 5,000 m

Min Range INA

Armor Penetration Yes

Weight, Bullet 0.39 kg

Basic Load 225 ea

Coaxial Weapon System

System

Name 1 x Type 80 Chinese Heavy Machine Gun

Type 7.62mm Heavy Machine Gun

Manufacturer Norinco

Length, Total 1,192 mm

Length, Barrel 658 mm

Diameter INA

Action Gas Operated

Rate of Fire 700-800 rds/min

Feed System Belts in 100/200/250 round boxes

Sights Open sights. Optical/Night vision scope can be outfitted.

Ammunition

Type 7.62×54mmR

Caliber 7.62x54 mm

Muzzle Velocity 840 m/s

Basic Load Belts in 100/200/250 round boxes

Effective Firing Range 100-1,500 m

Min Range 100 m

Armor Penetration INA

Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)

System

Name HJ-73 Red Arrow Anti-Tank Missile System

Type Anti-Tank Missile System

Length, Total 1,005 mm

Length, Barrel 860 mm

Rate of Fire 4 rds/min

Sights Integrated Optics

Ammunition (ATGM)

Name HJ-73 Arrow-73 (Base Series Name; Manual Command-to-Line-Of-Sight. MCLOS)

Type Anti-Tank Missile System

Date of Introduction 1979

Caliber 125 mm

Muzzle Velocity 130 m/s

Basic Load INA

Max Effective Range 3,001 m

Min Range INA

Armor Penetration Yes

Guidance System SACLOS

TV Goniometer Yes

Variant 1 Red Arrow 73B: Armed with a tandem-HEAT warhead, this missile has a maximum range of 2,800 m, a hit probability of 90%, and a penetration probability of 80%. At maximum range the 73B takes around 20 seconds to reach the target at a speed of 120 m/s, and if a hit is achieved is capable of penetrating 200 mm of RHA set at 68° and protected by ERA.

Variant 2 Red Arrow 73D: This missile is much the same as the 73B, however it is slightly longer and capable of penetrating 280 mm of RHA set at 68° and protected by ERA. The flight speed of the missile is increased to 130 m/s.

Variant 3 Red Arrow 73E: The 73E is a further improvement of the above systems. The range is extended to 3,000 m and the RHA penetration increased to 300 mm.

Variant 4 Red Arrow 73F: The 73F is described as a bunker buster. It has a maximum range of 2,800 m and has the same accuracy statistics of the 73B. It is fitted with a fuel air explosive warhead, designed to defeat bunkers and fortifications through overpressure effects.

Fire Control

Name INA

Computerized FCS Yes

Thermal Vehicle Commander Yes

Thermal Gunner Yes, dual-channel sight

Driver Periscopes 3 ea

Main Gun Stabilization Yes

Range, Day Sight INA

Range, Night Sight INA

Navigation System Yes, BeiDou Satellite Navigation system

Accuracy to within several meters

Blue Force Tracking Yes

Protection

Armor Type Welded steel protects against small arms and shell splinters.

Hull Armor 12.7 mm Projectiles

Side Armor 7.62 mm Projectiles

Applique Armor Available

Explosive Reactive Armor No

Active Protection Armor INA

Mine Clearing INA

Self-Entrenching Blade INA

NBC Protection Yes

Smoke Equipment Yes, The vehicle also carries six smoke grenade launchers that can be used to launch aerosol grenades to obscure the vehicle from targeting lasers, or fragmentation projectiles for close range defense from infantry.

Note The protection is limited by the need for the ZBD-03 to be deployed by parachute; as such it is thought to be focused on countering small arms fire and shell fragments.

Image Sources

Notes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZBD-03;