The 105mm gun-launched laser beam-riding anti-tank guided missile in service with the PLA (Source: Chinese Internet)
The PRC obtained the technologies of the Russian 9K116 Bastion (NATO reporting name: AT-10 Stabber) 100mm laser beam-riding anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) and its associated fire-control system in the late 1990s. The system was seen being equipped by the ZBD97 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and PTL02 100mm self-propelled anti-tank gun. Based on these technologies the PRC has also developed its own 105mm version of the missile, which has been equipped by older-generation main battle tanks (MBT) such as Type 59D, Type 69/79, and Type 88, and light tanks such as Type 63A.
The missile can be launched from the 100mm smoothbore anti-tank gun or the 105mm rifled tank gun. The missile has a maximum range of 4,000~5,000m and a single hit probability of over 90% against static targets. Armour penetration is 550~600mm of RHA, and the projectile has an effective envelope of 100 to 5000 meters. The missile’s flight time to 4,000 metres is approximately 12 seconds. As well as being used for anti-armour warfare, the missile was also said to be capable of engaging low-flying helicopters, bunkers, and fortifications.
The ammunition consists of the missile and a propellant sleeve which fits over the rear end of the missile. As a result, the complete 100/105mm gun-launched missile resembles a normal round of 100mm ammunition. The missile has two sets of pop-out fins, a rear set for stability and a front set for steering.
Once the missile is fired, a cone of laser light divided into sectors was projected from the launching tank, each sector having a different frequency or modulation. The missile has a small window in the rear with a sensor to detect the modulation of the light. Using this modulation, the missile steers itself, maintaining its position in the cone.
Two 105mm gun-launched missiles in the carrier case (Source: Chinese Internet)
The 105 gun-launched missile with propeller sleeve (left ) and the missile itself with the stabilising fins unfolded (right) (Source: Chinese Internet)
The fire-control system components of the 105mm gun-launched missile (Source: Chinese Internet)
The laser target designator for the guidance of the missile (Source: Chinese Internet)
The laser target designator for the 105mm gun-launched missile fitted on the Type 59D tank. The missile is viewed by the PLA as an effective way of upgrading older generation tanks and light tanks that do not possess enough fire-power against modern armoured fighting vehicles (Source: Chinese Internet)
