BK-1060

     The BK-1060 is the SPAAG part of the new ZBL09 family of light armored vehicles.  It appears to have a turret derived from the Italian OTOBreda 76mm M113-based SPAAG, but the gun used is a derivative of the PG99 35mm gun (with longer barrels and different muzzle brakes; I have called this the PG99-1, though this is not an official designation), which rapidly seems to be becoming the standard AAA caliber for Chinese forces; this turret is even mounted on PLAN ships.  The PLA seems to be using the ZBL09 series as the core of a new type of rapid-deployment division currently undergoing testing by the PLA.

     The fire control system is sort of a melding between the Type 09 and the LD-2000, having the fast computer-controlled rapid target acquisition of the Type 09 and an improved version of the radar and electro/optical setup of the LD-2000.  The turret can rotate 360 degrees, with the BK-1060 capable of a full rotation in only five seconds.  (Must be a hell of a ride, especially if the turret is slewing back and forth to engage targets and the FC system is on automatic…)  The BK-1060, however, does not have tracking radar, though it does have good-range surveillance; though the Chinese indicate they may add tracking radar in the future, for now final sighting and targeting is done with the electro/optical suite and the FC computer.  (The international conclusion among military experts is that the BK-1060 is too light to take the additional weight of a tracking radar and the associated electronics available to the Chinese at this time.) The system was designed primarily for use against low-flying helicopters and UAVs at ranges of 3-4 kilometers, though it is quite capable of being used against ground targets.  For use against air targets, particularly relatively-fragile UAVs, a new PFPF round has been devised specifically for the BK-1060, it’s ground mounted counterpart, and future vehicle already being designed to use this gun.

     The turret is mounted on the hull of the ZBL09 family of wheeled armored vehicles.  This is a relatively compact 8x8 chassis with tires that are run-flat, puncture resistant, and have central tire pressure regulation.  Armor is relatively thin and made from hardened steel which uses a combination of welds and bolts.  Applique and ERA kits are available for the BK-1060. The BK-1060 has six-compartment fire detection and suppression.  The crew enjoys NBC Overpressure protection, as well as a ration heater, 40-liter drinking water tank, and a heater and air conditioner.  The underside has additional armor for protection against mines and IEDs.  The ZBL09 series has something new for Chinese system – a BMS, including a vehicle state computer, GPS/GLONASS, and a mapping module.

     The engine is the standard German-made Deutz BF6M1015C, a turbocharged diesel designed for high acceleration and developing 440 horsepower.  Like the rest of the ZBL09 series, the BK-1060 is amphibious with minimal preparation; in the water, it is propelled by waterjets. Rumors say that the BK-1060 may carry an APU of up 10kW, but I have not been able to confirm this and it is not included in the stats below.  The BK-1060 retains the doors of the ZBL09 APC version, though they are used primarily for quick ammunition resupply and other resupplying.

     A version of the BK-1060 has recently been shown at international gun shows.  It has most of the components of the BK-1060, but uses the LD-2000’s version of the 30mm rotary Gatling gun. It has been shown at arms shows, but it has yet to be offered for sale, and I haven’t been able to discover whether the PLA is using them.  However, I have included on below, under the provisional designation of BL-1070.

 

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

BK-1060

$710,169

D, A

800 kg

20 tons

3

17

Backup Camera (D), Radar (15 km) (G, C), 2nd Gen FLIR (G), 2nd Gen Image Intensification (G, C)

Shielded

With Applique Armor

$747,996

D, A

670 kg

20.52 tons

3

19

Backup Camera (D), Radar (15 km) (G, C), 2nd Gen FLIR (G), 2nd Gen Image Intensification (G, C)

Shielded

BK-1070

$720,024

D, A

790 kg

19.98 tons

3

20

Backup Camera (D), Radar (15 km) (G, C), 2nd Gen FLIR (G), 2nd Gen Image Intensification (G, C)

Shielded

With Applique Armor

$757,851

D, A

690 kg

20.5 tons

3

22

Backup Camera (D), Radar (15 km) (G, C), 2nd Gen FLIR (G), 2nd Gen Image Intensification (G, C)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

BK-1060

170/86

48/24/6

656

163

Trtd

W(6)

TF12  TS6  TR5  HF15  HS8  HR6*

With Applique Armor

166/84

47/23/6

656

167

Trtd

W(6)

TF15Sp  TS8Sp  TR6  HF18Sp  HS12Sp  HR10**

BK-1070

170/86

48/24/6

656

163

Trtd

W(6)

TF12  TS6  TR5  HF15  HS8  HR6*

With Applique Armor

166/84

47/23/6

656

167

Trtd

W(6)

TF15Sp  TS8Sp  TR6  HF18Sp  HS12Sp  HR10**

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

BK-1060/w Applique

+3

Fair

35mm PG99-1 Autocannon

600x35mm

BK-1070/w Applique

+3

Fair

1xType 730 30mm 7-barrel Gatling Gun

900x35mm

*Floor AV for the BK-1060 and BK1070 is 6Sp.

**Floor Armor for the BK-1060 and BK-1070 with applique armor is 6Sp.  Turret roof armor is AV5.

 

EQ2050/FN-6A SAM Vehicle

     Notes: This vehicle mounts a turret, very much like that of the US-made Avenger, on an EQ2050, an almost exact copy of the M-998 HMMWV.  The vehicle has been put into limited PLA service, but it is also used by Belarus and Zimbabwe.  The turret, as stated, is shaped somewhat like that on the HMMWV Avenger, but is larger and has sensors both at the bottom of the turret and on the right side of the turret under the missile racks.  These sensors include a FLIR, an image intensifier, a 6x telescopic sight, a day/night magnified CCD camera, and a UV tracker, along with a laser rangefinder. (There is some question as to whether the laser is eye-safe, as, while the laser is at a frequency the human eye can’t see, it is in the high-IR wavelength and could possibly cause pinprick retinal burns.) The turret is lightly armored, including a bullet-resistant window.  There are four missiles on each side of the turret, and the left side also has a W-85 heavy machinegun for self-defense, along with a box of ammunition below it.  The fire control system has computer assistance.

     The base EQ-2050 chassis is also lightly armored (it actually has no floor armor at all).  The EQ2050 chassis is based on the “Pickup truck” style of HMMWV, with a large rear flatbed and a small front cab.  The vehicle is powered by a Cummins EQB150-20 turbocharged diesel engine developing 150 horsepower.  This engine normally gives the EQ2050-based vehicles good power and agility, the weight of the SAM vehicle robs the SAM vehicle of much of this power.  The EQ2050 base has all-wheel drive, a high ground clearance, and a central tire inflation system, giving it better-than-normal off-road performance. The vehicle normally uses a driver in the cab and a gunner in the turret; however, except in high-threat circumstances, the gunner normally also rides in the cab.  Inside the cab and turret, the crew has air conditioning and heating, as well as NBC Overpressure protection.  The vehicle carries a 5kW APU for use when the vehicle’s engine is switched off.  The vehicle has GPS navigation with a mapping module. The cab is slightly enlarged to allow the crew to carry personal effects such as gear, rations, water, etc.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$1,136,825

D, A

400 kg

6.8 tons

2

10

FLIR (G), 2nd Gen Image Intensification (G), Day/Night CCD Camera (G)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

171/86

48/24

244

55

Trtd

W(2)

TF3  TS2  TR2  HF2  HS2  HR2*

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

Basic

8xFN-6A SAM launchers, W-85

8xFL-6A SAMs, 1500x12.7mm

*The hull armor figures are for the cab only.  However, the entire hull floor has an AV of only 1.

 

HN-5 SAM Vehicle

     Notes: This Chinese system is a light antiaircraft vehicle mounting 8 launchers for HN-5, QW-1, or QW-2 surface to air missiles.  The launchers are mounted on a light truck chassis known as the EQ2050, which is an early near-copy of the US HMMWV.  The gunner can control the missiles by their IR guidance system, or control them manually for a high-countermeasure environment. The gunner is in the back seat of the truck, with his fire control equipment, and the commander and driver in front.  The gunner has a modicum of electro-optical aids, while the commander has a reduced set to help find targets.  The vehicle is a bit dated, however, and does not have the fire control suite of a newer vehicle. The vehicle has no sort of radar, as its missiles are IR missiles, but is equipped with a laser rangefinder.  The missiles and launcher are in the back of the vehicle; other details are roughly the same as an early M998-series HMMWV.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$212,877

D, A

400 kg

4.2 tons

3

10

Passive IR (G, C), Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G)

Open

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

257/180

72/50

244

63

Trtd

W(2)

TF1  TS1  TR1  HF1  HS1  HR1

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

None

8xHN-5/QW-1/QW-2 launchers

8xHN-5/QW-1/QW-2 SAMs

 

LD-2000

     The LD-2000 is a long, armored truck which has a control module and driver’s position in the cab and a remotely-controlled 30mm seven-barrel Type 730 CIWS, which is normally mounted on ships as a cruise missile and antishipping missile defense,  The LD-2000 is meant for short-range destruction of UAVs, cruise missiles, aircraft, and to a smaller extent, ATGM, other missiles, and even artillery shells.  The LD-2000 is normally stationed along with high-value targets to provide quick air defense, and acts as a part of a multilayered air defense solution.

     In addition to the 30mm CIWS, the boxy center section of the LD-2000 contains six TY-90 vertically-launched SAMs.  The CIWS fires from twin belts, one belt usually carrying HEAT-PF and the other having APDS rounds, with each belt carrying 1000 rounds.  A further 3000 rounds are carried in the rear of the truck near the gun turret.  The truck also has a surveillance/tracking radar atop the gun turret, which can be used with the missiles or the CIWS. The radar can track 48 potentially hostile targets and provide targeting information on 15 of them. Empty cartridge cases are ejected through the front of the turret (back of the truck)  The turret is not fully traversing, though it does have a 300-degree traverse limit.

     The fire-control system of the LD-2000’s gun is primitive compared to that of the shipboard Type 730.  The gun does not automatically acquire engage targets; instead, this must be done by the gunner in the cab, after consulting the radar and electro-optical systems.  A simple push button is all that’s needed to actuate the gun, whose functions then become automatic until the button is pushed again.  He also has control over the TY-60 missiles, though the commander also has control over the gun and missiles.  In addition, there is a seat in the turret for use by the gunner when quicker response is needed. The FC package also include a laser rangefinder (mostly for target verification).  The surveillance radar is a Type 347G surveillance radar with a range of 12 kilometers.  Above the gun is a dish-type digital array also capable of 12 kilometers of range. Before firing, four hydraulic rams are lowered on the corners of the vehicle.  Though the LD-2000 gun truck includes radar and remotely-operated night vision equipment, the LD-2000 is normally accompanied with a tracked Intelligence & Command Vehicle, a mechanized infantry platoon, and four Ammo Supply vehicles (ASV), with 12000 rounds and loading machinery on each truck.  The gun and turret are remote-control and controlled by the gunner in the center of the cab.  Fire control equipment is contained as the rear of the cab, with a space for personal gear, rations, water, and a single cot behind the front seats.  The weapon system has a vehicle state computer, but nothing like a BMS; it relies on an ICR vehicle for such purposes.

     The hull, being a variant of the WS2400, with independently-sprung shock absorber systems and a central tire inflation system, along with run flat puncture resistant tires. The entire truck has a low-level of armor. The truck can run for short distances with the central tire shot away for 80 kilometers at 50 kmh.  The engine is German-made Deutz engine with automatic transmission, a turbocharged diesel with 571 horsepower.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological*

$2,618,320

D, A

500 kg

19 tons

3

19

Backup Camera (D), Radar (12/12 km) (G, C), FLIR (G), 2nd Gen Image Intensification (G, C)

Shielded

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor**

213/108

59/30

852

203

Trtd

W(5)

TF8  TS6  TR6  HS4  HS3  HR2

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

Fair

1xType 730 30mm 7-barrel Gatling Gun, 6xTY-60 SAMs

2x1500x30mm, 6xTY-60

*Only the Cab and Turret are so shielded, along with the computer center; the rest of the truck is Enclosed.

***The turret is, of course protected as stated.  The Hull AV is against the cab only; the rest of the truck is AV3, including the roof and truck bottom.