The Type 63A (Chinese: 63A式; pinyin: Liùsān A shì; also known as the ZTS63A) is an amphibiouslight tank upgraded from the Type 63, designed for river-crossing operations at inland rivers and lakes. Its industrial designation is WZ213.
Before the mid-1990s, Chinese ground forces relied on the Type 63 amphibious light tank developed in the early 1960s. The low swimming-speed and weak firepower of the Type 63 was insufficient to the needs of modern maritime amphibious assault operations that PLA would conduct. The PLA demanded a replacement for the Type 63 in the early 1990s, which led to the development of the Type 63A in 1997. Reports indicate that over 300 examples has been delivered to the PLA by the end of 2000. The tank is also used by the Tanzanian armed forces.
Compared to the Type 63, the Type 63A featured five major improvements: The modernised Type 63 to Type 63A has given enhanced sea travelling performance, increased swimming speed, improved fire-control system, ATGM capability, and larger 105 mm rifled gun with dual stabilizers.[2]
Designedit
Characteristicsedit
The Type 63A is a lightly armoured amphibious light tank with a flat, boat-like hull. Suspension is made up of 6 road wheels and lead or return rollers. A redesigned welded turret from the original Type 63 is mounted center of the hull, with the powerpack positioned in the rear. The Type 63A has 2 additional floating tanks to increase the stability of the vehicle in the water. There are 3 water inlets on both sides of the hull. In the rear of the hull there are to allow 2 large water jets for travelling in water.
Armamentedit
Type 63A introduces an enlarged welded turret replacing the original Type 63 turret, the modernised Type 63A utilises a two-axis stabilised ZPL-98[3] 105 mm rifled gun replacing the 85 mm gun. The 105 mm rifled gun fires armour piercing fin stabilised discarding sabot (APFSDS), high explosive (HE), and high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) ammunitions, and GP105 laser beam riding guided missiles. A total of 45 rounds can be carried inside the vehicle. APFSDS round can penetrates 400 mm RHA armour or destroy a reinforced concrete bunker at a distance of 2,000 m.
To overcome the inaccuracy of firing when swimming, the GP105 gun-launched missile uses laser-beam guidance which is not affected by wave motion while swimming. The missile has a maximum firing range of 4–5 km with a first hit probability of +90% against stationary targets. It can also engage low-flying helicopters. Secondary weapons include QJC-88 roof-mounted machine gun and Type 63 coaxial machine gun.[1]
Mobilityedit
The Type 63A enhance capability allowing the vehicle to conduct amphibious operations from its host amphibious warfare ships at distances from 5–7 km to the shore at a speed of 28 km/h.[2]
Fire controledit
The FCS includes digital fire-control computer, integrated commander sight with laser rangefinder input, and white-light spotter or image-stabilised gunner's sight w/ passive night vision. The Type 63A night vision is an image intensifier system. Alternatively the gunner sight can be fitted with a thermal imager night vision. It is also equipped with the satellite positioning (GPS/GLONASS) system to allow accurate landing position in harsh weather conditions and night operations. It's also equipped with computerised fire-control to enable accurate firing both on land and at sea.
^ ab. Archived from the original on 2006-07-05. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
^"铸剑 英伦名炮书传奇：L7型105mm坦克炮的东方后代(组图)". Sohu News (in Chinese). 20 October 2015.
^The Military Balance 2021. The International Institute for Strategic Studies. 2021. pp. 250–251.
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December 18, 2023
type, chinese, 63a式, pinyin, liùsān, shì, also, known, zts63a, amphibious, light, tank, upgraded, from, type, designed, river, crossing, operations, inland, rivers, lakes, industrial, designation, wz213, amphibious, tanktypeamphibious, light, tankplace, origin. The Type 63A Chinese 63A式 pinyin Liusan A shi also known as the ZTS63A is an amphibious light tank upgraded from the Type 63 designed for river crossing operations at inland rivers and lakes Its industrial designation is WZ213 Type 63AType 63A amphibious tankTypeAmphibious light tankPlace of originPeople s Republic of ChinaProduction historyManufacturerNorincoProduced1997SpecificationsMass20 tonnesLength7 3mWidth3 2mHeight2 6mCrew4 Driver Loader Commander Gunner ArmorWelded steelMainarmament105mm rifled gunSecondaryarmament12 7mm anti aircraft machine gun 7 62mm coaxial machine gunEnginediesel581 hp 433 kW Power weight26 4hp tonneSuspensiontorsion barOperationalrangeLand 400km Sea 120km 1 Maximum speedLand 75km h Swim 28km h 1 The Type 63A is being replaced by the ZTD 05 Amphibious Assault Tank Contents 1 Development 2 Design 2 1 Characteristics 2 2 Armament 2 3 Mobility 2 4 Fire control 3 Operators 4 ReferencesDevelopment editBefore the mid 1990s Chinese ground forces relied on the Type 63 amphibious light tank developed in the early 1960s The low swimming speed and weak firepower of the Type 63 was insufficient to the needs of modern maritime amphibious assault operations that PLA would conduct The PLA demanded a replacement for the Type 63 in the early 1990s which led to the development of the Type 63A in 1997 Reports indicate that over 300 examples has been delivered to the PLA by the end of 2000 The tank is also used by the Tanzanian armed forces Compared to the Type 63 the Type 63A featured five major improvements The modernised Type 63 to Type 63A has given enhanced sea travelling performance increased swimming speed improved fire control system ATGM capability and larger 105 mm rifled gun with dual stabilizers 2 Design editCharacteristics edit The Type 63A is a lightly armoured amphibious light tank with a flat boat like hull Suspension is made up of 6 road wheels and lead or return rollers A redesigned welded turret from the original Type 63 is mounted center of the hull with the powerpack positioned in the rear The Type 63A has 2 additional floating tanks to increase the stability of the vehicle in the water There are 3 water inlets on both sides of the hull In the rear of the hull there are to allow 2 large water jets for travelling in water Armament edit Type 63A introduces an enlarged welded turret replacing the original Type 63 turret the modernised Type 63A utilises a two axis stabilised ZPL 98 3 105 mm rifled gun replacing the 85 mm gun The 105 mm rifled gun fires armour piercing fin stabilised discarding sabot APFSDS high explosive HE and high explosive anti tank HEAT ammunitions and GP105 laser beam riding guided missiles A total of 45 rounds can be carried inside the vehicle APFSDS round can penetrates 400 mm RHA armour or destroy a reinforced concrete bunker at a distance of 2 000 m To overcome the inaccuracy of firing when swimming the GP105 gun launched missile uses laser beam guidance which is not affected by wave motion while swimming The missile has a maximum firing range of 4 5 km with a first hit probability of 90 against stationary targets It can also engage low flying helicopters Secondary weapons include QJC 88 roof mounted machine gun and Type 63 coaxial machine gun 1 Mobility edit The Type 63A enhance capability allowing the vehicle to conduct amphibious operations from its host amphibious warfare ships at distances from 5 7 km to the shore at a speed of 28 km h 2 Fire control edit The FCS includes digital fire control computer integrated commander sight with laser rangefinder input and white light spotter or image stabilised gunner s sight w passive night vision The Type 63A night vision is an image intensifier system Alternatively the gunner sight can be fitted with a thermal imager night vision It is also equipped with the satellite positioning GPS GLONASS system to allow accurate landing position in harsh weather conditions and night operations It s also equipped with computerised fire control to enable accurate firing both on land and at sea Operators edit nbsp People s Republic of ChinaPeople s Liberation Army Ground Force 100 as of 2021 Phasing out 4 References edit a b c Type 63A Amphibious Light Tank Military Today com Retrieved 2022 08 20 a b Chinese Defence Today Type 63 Amphibious Tank Archived from the original on 2006 07 05 Retrieved 2009 10 17 铸剑 英伦名炮书传奇 L7型105mm坦克炮的东方后代 组图 Sohu News in Chinese 20 October 2015 The Military Balance 2021 The International Institute for Strategic Studies 2021 pp 250 251 nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Type 63A Amphibious tank Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Type 63A amp oldid 1139400473, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
