ZTZ99 (Type 99) Main Battle Tank

Observation

	The observation and counter-measures systems on the ZTZ99 (Chinese Internet)

The driver’s compartment of the ZTZ99 main battle tank (MBT) is equipped with three observation periscopes. The central periscope can be replaced by an image intensifying periscope (effective range 200m) for night vision. Two headlights are located on the front armour of the hull.

The commander has six periscopes to provide all round 360° view. A Commander Panoramic Viewer manufactured by Jiangsu North Hugon Co., Ltd. is mounted on the turret roof in front of the commander copula. The viewer provides the commander with an independent, dual-axis stabilised, day/night vision with a 360° view. The sight also has a laser rangefinder, allowing him to search and engage targets directly. The gunner has a roof-mounted, dual-axis stabilised viewer with a day channel, a thermal imaging system (TIS), and a laser rangefinder.

While the gunner performs his aiming and firing tasks on a locked enemy target, the commander can use his independent viewer to search for a new target. Once the gunner complete the current firing task, the commander immediately overrides the gunner’s control handle and turns the turret towards the new target he has acquired. The commander then hands-off the new target to the gunner, who will finish the rest of the aiming and firing tasks, allowing the commander to start searching for another new target. When an enemy target with higher threat is identified, the commander can also override the gunner’s current firing task and make the turret and main gun to line up with his own line-of-sight immediately. This model of operation, known as ‘hunter-killer’, enables a much short reaction time (<9 seconds against a moving target when on the move) to enemy threats on the battlefield.

The Thermal Imaging System (TIS) on the Type 99 has a cooled detector using the signal processing in the element (SPRITE) technology. The thermal image is displayed in the eyepiece of the Gunner's sight together with the range measurement by the laser rangefinder. The thermal imager can continue working for up to 12 hours, and has a x11.4 magnification in the narrow field of view (5.6° X 3.8°) and x5 magnification in the wide field of view (12° X 8°). The maximum detection range to a tank-size target is 2,600m in daytime and 2,750m at night. Later variants of the Type 99 may be fitted with a more advanced second-generation thermal imager using staring infrared focal plane arrays, which has a maximum effective range of 7~9km and a detection range of 4,000m in severe weather condition.

Fire-Control

The Type 99 has a computerised fire-control system which can be used to fire both conventional ammunutions and the semi-active laser guidance 9M119 Refleks (AT-11 Sniper) anti-tank guided missile. The fire-control system consists of digital fire-control computer, laser rangefinder, control panel, wind sensor, gun mount slope sensor, turret movement sensor and gun control mechanism. Data from the rangefinder and sensors is fed directly into the fire-control computer, which can automatically calculate the fire control solution.

Dual axis stabilisation on both the tank gun and the gunner sight ensures effective firing on the move. Firing test results showed that the tank has a first hit probability of over 85% against a target at 2000m range. The Type 99’s fire control system still relies on manual fed for target searching and aiming. China has been developing a more advanced fire-control system with the auto-tracking capability since the early 1990s, but has yet been able to produce a system for operational use.

Although the fire-control system of the Type 99 is the most capable among Chinese-made tanks, a number issues have been identified for potential future improvements:

• Replacing the current manually-fed fire-control with a fully auto-tracking fire-control
• Replacing the current second-generation Nd:YAG laser rangefinder with a third-generation CO2 laser rangefinder for better safety and all-weather performance
• Integrating various onboard electronic systems using a databus
• Introducing new-generation electronic systems with modular design and reduced size

The ZTZ99 utilises a unique electro-optical countermeasures suite, which is located on the turret roof behind the gunner hatch. The system comprises a laser warning receiver (LWR) and an box-shape active laser self-defence weapon (LSDW), which was designed to use high-powered laser to attack the enemy weapon's optics and gunner. Once the LWR detects that the tank is being illuminated by an enemy range-finding or weapon-guidance laser, the system warns the tank crew and the LSDW is employed against the source of the enemy laser. The LSDW can disrupt the laser/infrared guidance signal of the enemy missile, disable the enemy observation optics (optical, night vision, thermal imager, laser rangefinder, etc.), and damage the eyesight of the enemy gunner. Photos of the Type 99 showed that the LSDW can be elevated to a higher angle than the tank's main gun, indicating that the engagement of attack helicopters is possible.

Communications

The ZTZ99 is equipped with HF/VHF radio as well as a laser communication device, which is mounted on the mast on the turret roof behind the commander hatch. The device can be used for line of sight (LOS) information transmission (encrypted text, data and voice) and identification of friend or foe (IFF). The system is capable of 360 degrees traverse and -10°~45° elevation, and has an effective range of 3,600m. Additionally, the tank can be fitted with a GPS/GLONSS receiver for navigation and positioning.

Propulsion

There are six dual rubber-tyred road wheels, two rubber-tyred track support rollers, a drive sprocket at the rear, and an idler at the front. The upper part of the track is protected by a light-weight rubber skirt. The engine is a liquid-cooled, turbocharged 1,500hp diesel based on the German MB871ka501 diesel technology. At its current battle weight of 54t, this gives a power-to-weight ratio of about 27.78. The maximum speed by road is 80km/h and 60km/h cross country. Acceleration from 0 to 32km/h takes 12 seconds. The transmission provides seven forward and one reverse gears.