Chinese infantry fighting vehicles

alanch90

Junior Member
Registered Member
It seems the tinfoil cover on the rear of the IFV is just a temporary cover for the air intake/radiator that's on the left of the vehicle. The next gen MBT also have similar cover during transit.

Not sure why they're needed, considering none of the other vehicles have similar covers.

It looks like an empty box and not like radiator. By the size of the hole VLS seems more reasonable.
The Observer is right. And the more you look at it, the less traditional the vehicle´s layout is compared to other IFVs. The entire aft left hull section is occupied by the radiator (rather huge) and the "box" on the roof looks like is part of something that protrudes into the compartment, may indicate its indeed a VLS for ATGMs.


This image is not all that clear but it looks like theres a bulkhead separating the dismount compartment/access corridor and the "VLS".
1756734928949.png

On one hand, the radiator being so big and being on the side hull creates a weakpoint. However there are no dismounts sitting besides it so the whole issue is somewhat mitigated. On the other hand, most other IFVs/AFVs with L layout powerpack that place radiators on the side hull they mount them on the frontal section, hence endangering the crew/dismounts to a greater degree.


The aft section layout hence looks something like this (not to scale):
1756737713732.png
Though we don´t know if there is a set on the access "corridor" (ie. right underneath of the roof hatch) it looks to me unlikely that this IFV can carry more than 7 dismounts, which would be the same as current in service IFV.
 

SAC

Junior Member
Staff member
Moderator - World Affairs
Registered Member
I've mentioned elsewhere that I think the dismount element is reduced on this vehicle because the left rear area is taken up with other things.
 

qwerty3173

Junior Member
Registered Member
Yes, most likely there are 4 dismounts compared with 7. The entire left rear area is probably filled with missiles for VLS launcher. It does not make sense constricting the entrance if there are 7 people, that causes a lot of problems for urgent mounting and dismounting.

For the VLS many types of missiles can be fitted, including top attack ATGM, loitering ammunition and anti-aircraft missiles. In fact this is the true purpose of a VLS, accommodating everything with the right dimensions.
 

Tomboy

Senior Member
Registered Member
Yes, most likely there are 4 dismounts compared with 7. The entire left rear area is probably filled with missiles for VLS launcher. It does not make sense constricting the entrance if there are 7 people, that causes a lot of problems for urgent mounting and dismounting.

For the VLS many types of missiles can be fitted, including top attack ATGM, loitering ammunition and anti-aircraft missiles. In fact this is the true purpose of a VLS, accommodating everything with the right dimensions.
This technically isn't a IFV, it's described as a fire support vehicle. So I guess VLS could be possible.
 

totenchan

Junior Member
Registered Member
This technically isn't a IFV, it's described as a fire support vehicle. So I guess VLS could be possible.
Where was it described as a fire support vehicle? Also are there any information on what exactly a fire support vehicle is supposed to do?
 

Tomboy

Senior Member
Registered Member
Where was it described as a fire support vehicle? Also are there any information on what exactly a fire support vehicle is supposed to do?
People like Cute Orca and basically everyone in the Chinese community refers to this as a fire support vehicle. As for what it's supposed to do, I guess its as its name suggest to provide fire support for the new tank.
 

Totoro

Major
VIP Professional
The vehicle is pretty large, larger than Bradley and similar ifvs. Plus its turret is unmanned and large, despite a modest caliber gun. Which suggests there may be little turret intrusion into the hull. Which, combined with other factors, suggests there may still be quite a bit of room for dismounts inside the vehicle.
 

totenchan

Junior Member
Registered Member
People like Cute Orca and basically everyone in the Chinese community refers to this as a fire support vehicle. As for what it's supposed to do, I guess its as its name suggest to provide fire support for the new tank.
The thing is I think the other vehicles that are called "fire support vehicles" in English likely have a pretty different role from this vehicle. Do you have a link to Orca's post?
 
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