23mm Type 80

     Notes:  This appears to be a reverse-engineered version of the Russian ZU-23-2.  The differences between it and the Russian weapon are few and mostly to suit local manufacturing methods and materials.  The sight is 3.5x instead of the 2.5x of the ZU-23-2.

Weapon

Ammunition

Crew

Set Up Time

Weight

Price

Type 80

23mm ZU-23

3

2 Minutes

950 kg

$86209

 

Weapon

ROF

Magazine

Range

Round

Damage

Penetration

Type 80

20

50 Belt (x2)

550

API

5

3/3/3/2

 

20

50 Belt (x2)

410

HE

C1  B5

-4C

 

20

50 Belt (x2)

660

HVAPI

5

4/4/3/2

 

20

50 Belt (x2)

550

HVHE

C1  B5

-4C

 

25mm Type 85

     Notes:  This is basically a ZU-23-2 with the 23mm autocannons replaced with 25mm autocannons of local manufacture.  The Type 85 is externally very similar to the Type 80 23mm AAA gun and can be easily mistaken for it at first glance.  This was originally an export-only weapon, but in the 2000s, the Chinese decided to start replacing their 23mm guns with 25mm guns, including those of new-design SP antiaircraft guns, such as the Type 95 and Type 04 series.

Weapon

Ammunition

Crew

Set Up Time

Weight

Price

Type 85

25mm KBA

3

3 Minutes

1500 kg

$91329

 

Weapon

ROF

Magazine

Range

Round

Damage

Penetration

Type 85

10

50 Belt (x2)

420

AA

C1  B8

-4C

 

10

50 Belt (x2)

560

APFSDSDU

6

14/12/10/7

 

10

50 Belt (x2)

560

API

6

5/4/3/2

 

10

50 Belt (x2)

420

HE

C1  B5

-3C

 

25mm Type PGB87

     25mmx183mm is the standard AAA base gun caliber that the PLA is changing to; Norinco is also eyeing export sales.  The basic gun is a twin-barreled design borrowed from the Australian Oerlikon KBA, and actually differs little from that design other than manufacturing and materiel particulars.  This includes the long 2.173-meter barrels, but in the Chinese version, they are tipped with long, slotted flash suppressors.  The barrels normally feed from separate 150-round drums containing belted ammunition, but a 300-round drum is available, and it can also feed from loose belts if alert loaders are available to keep the belt from hanging up on a part of the gun platform.  A telescopic optical sight of 4x, an IR viewer for the telescopic sight, and an image intensifier are standard for this setup.  The guns and their electro-optical sights are mounted on a sturdy four-wheeled towed mount in which the four trails are spread from the corners before firing, and the gun is traversed and elevated electrically using a small 0.5kW APU under the gunner’s sea and fed from a 50-gallon fuel tank.

     The PGB87 fires all Western KBA-compatible ammunition, and a couple of others designed specifically for this gun.

     One and three-barreled versions of this gun exist; adjust the stats accordingly.

Weapon

Ammunition

Crew

Set Up Time

Weight

Price

PGB87

25mm KBA

4

4 Minutes

1.27 tons

$158399

 

Weapon

ROF

Magazine

Range

Round

Damage

Penetration

PGB87

10

2x150B

410

AA

C1  B8

-4C

 

10

2x150B

550

APDS

6

10/9/7/5

 

10

2x150B

550

APFSDS

6

14/12/10/7

 

10

2x150B

550

APFSDSDU

6

17/16/13/8

 

10

2x150B

550

API

6

5/4/3/2

 

10

2x150B

550

FAPDS

C1  B3

7/6/5/4

 

10

2x150B

410

HEI

C1  B5

-3C

 

10

2x150B

410

PFPF

C2  B8

8/7/5/4

 

10

2x150B

410

SAPHEI

C1  B3

7/6/4/2

 

30mm Type 730B

     Notes: Originally a shipboard CIWS missile defense system like the same sort of systems on US and several Western Navies, the Type 730 has morphed into a ground-based and vehicle-based system, primarily for use against low-flying UAVs and attack helicopters, as well as some ground targets (and it is certainly devastating against infantry in the open). The ground-based system differs from the shipboard system in having a FLIR viewer instead of the advanced electro-optical secondary guidance system of the shipboard model.(Vehicle-based systems have their own tracking systems, as detailed in their entries on the Chinese SP antiaircraft pages.) Known land-based uses for the Type 730 include the BK-1070 and LD-2000, but there is also a wheeled mount, and that is what is covered here (though the figures on the gun are the same for both systems).  The system generally uses its surveillance/tracking radar and FLIR together, using the FLIR to track the first target designated, and the radar to track the second most immediate target, to the radar can immediately hand off the target it is tracking to the FLIR after the most immediate target has been destroyed,  The gun then swivels automatically to the new target, with the gunner providing fine tuning and the actually fire switch. Once the gun is fine-tuned by the gunner, the gun system keeps aimed on the target automatically, making adjustments to elevation and traverse as necessary.  The surveillance radar is capable of keeping track of 48 targets; the most immediate threat is automatically handed off to the radar, and the surveillance radar picks up another target.  The tracking radar has a range of 6 kilometers; the surveillance radar has a tracking range of 15 kilometers. The Type 730B has a special fire control computer that gives the gunner a +2 bonus when firing, and has an AV3 gun shield. Power is provided by an onboard 12 kW APU, power by diesel fuel. The gun used appears to be based on the US GAU-8/A cannon mounted on the A-10, though it is much more compact and has less range and power.  Though the set-up time is listed as 10 minutes, this is with both the crew and a 5-man secondary crew working. (after they set up the gun, they become ammo bearers, with ammo and the secondary crew carried on an accompanying medium or heavy truck).  Though the maximum ROF is 70, this wears out the gun and barrels quickly; ROF is normally limited to 40.

     A variant of the Type 730B, the Type 730C, is being tested; this has boxes on the side of the guns carrying three FL-2000N SAMs on each side, to engage longer-ranged targets.  When these are used, the radar and FLIR are slaved to the missiles via a special fire control computer.

Weapon

Ammunition

Crew

Set Up Time

Weight

Price

Type 730B

30mm Type 730

4

10 minutes

3.79 tons

$510211

Type 730C

30mm Type 730

4

12 minutes

4.45 tons

$683260

 

Weapon

ROF

Magazine

Range

Round

Damage

Penetration

Type 730

70

500 Belt (x2)

390

AA

C1  B13

-4C

 

70

500 Belt (x2)

520

APDS

7

10/9/7/5

 

70

500 Belt (x2)

520

FAPDS

C2  B6

8/7/5/3

 

70

500 Belt (x2)

390

HEI

C2  B10

-3C

 

70

500 Belt (x2)

390

PFPF

C2  B12

8/7/5/3

 

35mm PG99

     A development of unnamed autocannon designs (but probably some iteration of an Oerlikon autocannon), the PG99 uses twin 35mm L/90 autocannons which can fire at up to 110 rpm.  The Chinese have developed several types of ammunition specifically for the PG99, though several of these merely duplicate Western rounds.  The autocannons feed from two 112-round autocannons, with another 126 rounds on the gun for replenishment of the guns; it only takes 7.5 seconds to reload a full drum on a gun, using two loaders.  The PG-99 is usually towed by a medium truck that also carries further ammunition. The gun barrels are tipped by long slotted flash suppressors similar to those of the PGB87 above. The gun is mounted on a four-wheeled cradle/carriage that minimizes vibration and rocking when the guns are fired and men are climbing on it, and the carriage uses electrical actuators to fold the wheels, drive spikes into the ground, and set the flat-bottomed carriage on the ground.  Rotation and elevation are also handled electrically, and the entire affair is powered by a 0.5kW APU under the gunner’s seat.  The gunner has an AV2 gun shield ahead of him.  He aims by using a telescopic optical sight of 4x, an IR viewer for the telescopic sight, and an image intensifier.  The gun also has a small targeting computer and laser rangefinder which does the precision aiming for the gun once it is laid on target, giving the gunner a bonus of +2 to hit.

Weapon

Ammunition

Crew

Set Up Time

Weight

Price

PG99

35mm PG99

5

5 minutes

6.8 tons

$214693

 

Weapon

ROF

Magazine

Range

Round

Damage

Penetration

PG99

20

112 Belt (x2)

570

APDS

8

12/10/9/6

 

20

112 Belt (x2)

430

HEI

C2  B10

-2C

 

20

112 Belt (x2)

420

HEI-T

C2  B8

-3C

 

20

112 Belt (x2)

430

PFPF

C3  B13

9/7/5/4

 

20

112 Belt (x2)

570

SAPHEI

C1  B4

8/6/5/4

 

35mm PG-99-1

    Notes: This gun was specifically designed for the BK-1060, and so far has seen no other use, such as a ground mount.  It fires the same ammunition as the PG99, and electro/optical systems and radar is provided by the BK-1060 upon which it mounted, as is mechanisms to lay on target and track targets. The PG99-1 has somewhat longer barrels than the PG99, but is otherwise the same as the PG99.

Weapon

Ammunition

Crew

Set Up Time

Weight

Price

PG99-1

35mm PG99

3

N/A

355 kg

$95975

 

Weapon

ROF

Magazine

Range

Round

Damage

Penetration

PG99-1

10

600 Belt

590

APDS

8

12/10/9/6

 

10

600 Belt

440

HEI

C2  B10

-2C

 

10

600 Belt

430

HEI-T

C2  B8

-3C

 

10

600 Belt

440

PFPF

C3  B13

9/7/5/4

 

10

600 Belt

590

SAPHEI

C1  B4

8/6/5/4

 

37mm Type 55/65/74/74SD/P793

     Notes:  The genesis of these designs is the Russian M-1939 37mm antiaircraft gun.  The Type 55 is, in fact, little more than a Chinese copy of the single-barreled M-1939, while the Type 65 is a copy of the twin 37mm version of the M-1939.  Type 74 has the ability to be hooked into an existing antiaircraft system and placed under its radar control, has a slightly higher rate of fire (no effect in game terms), and a telescopic sight.  The Type 74SD replaces hydraulic manual controls with electrical servos.  The P793 can be equipped with standard or long barrels; the rate of fire is further increased; the unit has its own 5.22 kW generator; the telescopic sight’s magnification is increased to 5x; and an image intensifier is supplied. 

Weapon

Ammunition

Crew

Set Up Time

Weight

Price

Type 55

37mm M-1939

3

3 Minutes

2100 kg

$131299

Type 65

37mm M-1939

5

4 Minutes

2699 kg

$241929

Type 74

37mm M-1939

5

4 Minutes

2835 kg

$240817

Type 74SD

37mm M-1939

4

4 Minutes

2693 kg

$246837

Type P793 (Standard)

37mm M-1939

4

3 Minutes

3100 kg

$247137

Type P793 (Long Guns)

37mm M-1939

4

3 Minutes

3300 kg

$263449

 

Weapon

ROF

Magazine

Range

Round

Damage

Penetration

Type 55

3

5 Clip

490

API

8

6/5/4/3

 

3

5 Clip

370

FRAG-HE

C2  B15

-1C

 

3

5 Clip

490

HVAP

8

7/7/6/4

Type 65/74/74SD

6

5 Clip (x2)

490

API

8

7/6/5/3

 

6

5 Clip (x2)

370

FRAG-HE

C2  B15

-1C

 

6

5 Clip (x2)

490

HVAP

8

9/8/7/4

Type P793 (Standard Guns)

10

5 Clip (x2)

490

API

8

7/6/5/3

 

10

5 Clip (x2)

370

FRAG-HE

C2  B15

-1C

 

10

5 Clip (x2)

490

HVAP

8

9/8/7/4

Type P793 (Long Guns)

10

5 Clip (x2)

510

API

8

7/6/5/3

 

10

5 Clip (x2)

380

FRAG-HE

C2  B15

-1C

 

10

5 Clip (x2)

510

HVAP

8

9/8/7/4

 

57mm Type 59

     Notes:  This weapon is a close copy of the Russian S-60 and differs from that weapon in only minor respects.  Most of these differences are concessions to local manufacturing methods.  However, the ammunition used by the Type 59 normally uses steel cases instead of the copper cases used by the Russians.  The Type 59 is normally radar-directed by rotating bar-type radar known as the GW-03. 

Weapon

Ammunition

Crew

Set Up Time

Weight

Price

Type 59

57mm S-60

8

2 Minutes

4780 kg

$428765

 

Weapon

ROF

Magazine

Range

Round

Damage

Penetration

Type 59

3

4 Clip

510

APFSDS

13

41/36/31/20

 

3

4 Clip

510

APHE

C3  B10

17/15/13/8

 

3

4 Clip

390

HE

C5  B15

2C

 

Norinco Giant Bow AAA System

     Notes: While this may seem like a simple ZU-23-2 with power movement and computer control, you need to zoom out and see the big picture.  The ace up the sleeve of the Giant Bow is that truck (could be one of several models) parked up to 50 meters away is the Battery Optoelectronic Commander’s Vehicle.  Up to six Giant Bows may be wired in to the BOCV, and the BOCV can be used to detect and to an extent, help the gunners aim the guns and feed computer coordinates of aircraft to the Giant Bow’s computer.  In of itself, the Giant Bow has a fire control computer an image intensifier, and an optronic rangefinder; the BOCV adds a FLIR, 2nd generation image intensifier, advanced computers that can track, aim, and predict target tracks.  A laser rangefinder and a TV camera with 6x magnification complete the sensors.  The BOCV has a crew of four.  The images from the BOCV’s FLIR and image intensifier can be fed to the Giant Bow’s viewfinder, and fire coordinates fed to the gun’s computer.

     Of course, while the BOCV is a nice perk of the system, the Giant Bow does not have any need for the BOCV to be an effective weapon.  The BOCV simply allows for more accurate, coordinated fire.  The Giant Bow is basically a ZU-23-2, with a widened crew platform to allow for a gunner and observer/computer operator, and techy enhancements are added that gives it accuracy and abilities that a standard ZU-23-2 doesn’t have.  It otherwise is a two-wheeled trailer with a folding undercarriage and a heavy-duty articulated tow bar.

Weapon

Ammunition

Crew

Set Up Time

Weight

Price

Giant Bow

23mm ZU-23

2

4 Minutes

1.25 tons

$51581

 

Weapon

ROF

Magazine

Range

Round

Damage

Penetration

ZU-23

20

2x50B

550

APDS-T

5

8/7/6/4

 

20

2x50B

550

API

5

5/4/3/2

 

20

2x50B

410

HE

C1  B5

-4C

 

20

2x50B

550

HVAPI

5

6/5/4/3

 

20

2x50B

550

HVHE

C1  B5

-4C