QL550 Light Armoured Vehicle | Ground Forces

The QL550 is a lightweight 4X4 armoured vehicle introduced in 2005 by China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO). The vehicle is currently under field trials and may enter the PLA service in the near future.

Chinese media recently revealed a multipurpose lightweight 4X4 armoured vehicle developed by NORINCO in 2005. The prototype vehicle completed 5,000km field trials in 2005, and will complete an additional 30,000km field trials in 2006 before it is certified for batch production. The vehicle can be configured for various specific roles such as reconnaissance, command and liaison, troops carrier, ambulance, and riot-control vehicles, or used as a utility weapon platform for anti-tank guided missile and air defence missile systems. Due to its lightweight and high-mobility characterises, the vehicle is particularly appealing to the airborne forces and special operations forces.

The 4X4 chassis of the QL550 was derived from NORINCO’s 6X6 wheeled armoured vehicle technology. Compared to the 6X6 armoured vehicles, the QL550 provides a lower profile and higher mobility while still providing the same level of crew protection. The vehicle can be airlifted or air-dropped by large transport aircraft such as IL-76 and Y-8. The basic variant vehicle carries a 12.7mm machine gun on the roof of the crew compartment, but it could also be configured to carrying other weapons such as the automatic grenade launcher and anti-tank guided missile.

The vehicle has a welded steel hull which can provide protection against 7.62mm weapon. The powerpack is located in the middle of the vehicle behind the crew compartment. There are four sits in the crew compartment and the vehicle can carry up to 8 passengers in its fully air-conditioned rear troop compartment. The vehicle is equipped with a computerised self-diagnosing system and has standard ports for radio equipment and GPS.

Crew: up to 4
Passenger: 7~8
Type: Wheeled, armoured
Weight: <7,000kg
Engine: 6-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel
Transmission: Mechanical
Dimension: Length: 5.20m; Height: 1.86m; Width: 2.25m
Cruising Range: N/A
Speed: Max road 120km/h
Weapon: 12.7mm machine gun