ZBD-04

The ZBD-04 turret.

Front view of the ZBD-04A turret, featuring weapons from left to right including 30 mm coaxial automatic cannon, 100 mm rifled gun, and 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV), gunner thermal sight, emergency daylight sight as well as laser warning receivers can be seen mounted on top of the turret.

The main armament of the ZBD-04 is a two-plane stabilized, semi-automatic 100 mm rifled gun, capable of firing both HE-FRAG rounds and the 3UBK10 ATGM. The effective range of the HE-FRAG round is estimated to be 4,000 meters, with a rate of fire of 10 rounds/minute. The 3UBK10 ATGM and its Chinese derivate consist of a laser beam riding missile and a container case. As well as engaging armored vehicles and fortifications, the missile could also engage low-flying helicopters. The missile has a maximum range of 4,000 m and can penetrate 600 mm of armor.

Chinese engineers developed programmable airburst HE-FRAG, bunker-buster, and thermobaric shells for the rifled gun, The Chinese 3UBK10 derivate was also upgraded on the ZBD-04A with top-attack capability supported by the millimeter-wave fire-control radar mounted above the rifled gun.[8] The system can store 30 rounds of 100 mm missiles or other cartridges inside the turret.[12]

The ZBD-04 also has a coaxial ZPT-99 30 mm automatic cannon, with 500 rounds. The cannon can fire both armor-piercing (AP) and HE-FRAG rounds. It is also fitted with indigenously-developed 30 mm armor-piercing discarding sabot (APDS) and armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds. The rate of fire is 300 rounds/min and the range is 1,500 to 2,000 m. The ZBD-04 also has a Type 86 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun located to the left of the main gun. The coaxial machine gun was replaced by QJT-88 5.8 mm on the ZBD-04A.[13][12] Certain variant of the ZBD-04 can be equipped with four HJ-8 wire-guided anti-tank missiles on both sides of the turret.[14]

On ZBD-04A, the main armament layout is kept largely the same, whilst the electronics and protections are upgraded.[8]

On ZBD-04, the gunner has an integrated day/night thermal scope and an emergency backup day sight. Fire-control system includes a digital ballistic computer, an electro-mechanical gun stabilizer, and a laser rangefinder. The driver’s hatch mounts three periscopes, with the central periscope being able to be replaced by an image intensifying night vision periscope. On the original ZBD-04, The commander has a combined daylight/thermal periscope and a back-up day sight.[8]

On the ZBD-04A, the vehicle receives an improved thermal system, while the commander has been upgraded to an independent thermal sight that can rotate 360 degrees.[10] The digital fire control system supports "hunter-killer" and commander takeover, automatic target tracking, battle management system, and laser designator functions.[15] A millimeter-wave fire-control radar was mounted above the rifled gun to support target acquisition and missile guidance.[8]

The ZBD-04 is fitted with a collective NBC protection system, with its air filter located behind the turret to the right. There is a three-barrel smoke grenade launcher mounted on either side of the turret. The vehicle is fitted with an indigenous-made laser warning and countermeasures system.[16]

While ballistic protection is unknown, the vehicle likely has all-round protection against 14.5 mm rounds and resistance against 20–25 mm shells over the frontal arc.[4] On the ZBD-04A, the protection is further improved with appliqué armor plates, with a claimed protection level of defending 30 mm round in the front. Two additional smoke discharges are mounted on each side of the turret, for a total of 10.[17]

ZBD-04 is powered by the modified Type 6V150 diesel engine, developing 440 kilowatts (590 hp).[8] ZBD-04A reportedly has an engine developing 670 hp.[18] The vehicle is fitted with CH600 hydraulic torque converter.[9]

The ZBD-04 has amphibious capability, designed to swim to shore from a ship. For high-speed swimming, it has two large water jet ports.[11] The ZBD-04A removed water jets to save weight in exchange for better protection, thus no longer capable of operating in the open sea.[2]

ZBD-97

Designation for ZBD-04 prototype.

ZBD-04

Standard variant.

ZBD-04 HJ-8

Based on the original ZBD-04 with four additional HJ-8 anti-tank missiles mounted on the turret.[14]

ZBD-04A

The ZBD-04A (industrial designation WZ502G, sometimes referred to as ZBD-08) is an improved variant that sacrifices amphibious performance for better armor protection; add-on armor can be fitted, and the frontal arc can withstand 30 mm rounds along with side skirts added. Although the vehicle is still amphibious, able to propel itself by its tracks to ford lakes and rivers, it lacks waterjets and can no longer operate in open sea.[19][2][20]

ZBD-04A AT (AFT-10 Anti-Tank Missile Carrier)

ZBD-04A's chassis works as the mobile launching platform for AFT-10 (HJ-10) anti-tank missiles. Noted the AFT-10 is a specific version of the HJ-10 missile that is designed for firing from vehicle launching platforms such as ZBD-04A. The sensors include a thermal camera, TV camera, and a laser range finder.[21] A millimeter-wave radar system is mounted at the front-right corner of the vehicle to improve all-weather operation capability.[22]

ZBD-04A Command Vehicle

Modified from the original ZBD-04A, featuring a crew cabin with a higher ceiling.

ZBD-04A Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle

Equipped with radars and electric-optic sights for battlefield surveillance, the chassis of the Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle is modified from standard ZBD-04A. The recon equipment is mounted on a retractable mast.

ZBD-04A Armored Recovery Vehicle

Equipped with a crane for emergency vehicle service.

PLZ-07

122 mm self-propelled howitzer based on the ZBD-04 chassis.[23]

VN11

Export version of the ZBD-04.[24]

VN11A

Export version of the ZBD-04A.[25]

VN12

Export variant based on ZBD-04A.[26]