These materials are from the biography of Mr. Zhu Yusheng, the chief designer of the 99 series tanks, published by China Ordnance Industry Press, which is relatively authoritative. This book has already been publicly published and therefore should not be classified
The image materials are in Chinese, so I will use software for translation. There may be some translation errors without proofreading, please feel free to point them out
‘‘In December 1992, Zhu Yusheng listened to a work report and analyzed the current objective situation. He believes that the fully automated solution has good performance and is also a development direction: however, the system is too complex, there are too many new technologies, the development cycle is long, the cost is high, and the required large amount of development funds cannot be supported by the third-generation tank, and the progress is also difficult to catch up with the finalization of the third-generation tank. Therefore, Zhu Yusheng assessed the situation and made a decisive decision to convert the automatic suppression observation system (YG-A) into a foreign trade model and continue its development. We will restart the development of a simplified, low-cost, and affordable semi-automatic laser suppression observation system (YG-B) for the third generation tank. It is precisely this correct and timely decision that ensures the suppression sighting system can be launched on time with the finalization of the third generation tank.
The semi-automatic laser suppression observation and sighting system is still under the overall development of Xi’an Institute of Optics, and its technical difficulty is not small. Due to the addition of a laser communication system and an identification friend or foe system (developed by Changchun University of Science and Technology) on its turntable, the entire system no longer operates independently as a standalone system, but instead follows the commander’s mirror and gunner’s mirror. This requires high-precision intersection of the three optical axes in space, while also requiring inertial stability during travel, which is equivalent to redesigning, and the workload is very large. Under the command of Zhu Yusheng, the development team has embarked on a new arduous journey.’’
‘‘In order to understand the power and efficiency of the system, they conducted a large number of scientific experiments, including laser spot energy distribution tests, laser atmospheric transmission tests on the destructive power of optical instruments such as cameras, night vision devices, laser rangefinders, telescopes, interference tests on thermal imagers, and field biological efficiency tests, providing the country with valuable and detailed data on the power of laser weapons. In order to conduct these experiments, researchers fought against extreme heat and cold, crossed mountains and valleys to find experimental sites, carried equipment on their shoulders, and worked tirelessly from dawn to dusk without any complaints or regrets. On the third day after the Baotou earthquake, they braved the risk of aftershocks and rushed to Baotou for experiments.
After the tireless efforts of various units day and night, two prototype machines were completed in March 1995 and underwent rigorous debugging on tank test vehicles. The aim was to explore the linkage function of the vehicle control process and the mechanism of synchronization accuracy with the commander’s mirror, gunner’s mirror, and artillery, as well as to explore ways to adapt to the harsh environment of tanks.’’
‘‘In October 1996, three prototype machines were installed on the third-generation tank prototype and delivered for final testing. After rigorous assessment and testing, accompanying marching, artillery firing, and environmental adaptability testing, and with the support of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, the biological effects subject assessment was completed, and the design was approved for finalization at the end of 1999.
The world’s first main battle tank electro-optical countermeasure system was born, which added powerful means for our army to defeat the enemy and wrote a glorious page in the history of Chinese tank research and even world tank history. When the final review meeting agreed to finalize the laser communication design, the experienced professors and young technicians of the laser communication team at Changchun University of Science and Technology had mixed feelings. They feel proud and delighted that after long-term hardships and efforts, they have finally succeeded in forging swords for their country. The third generation of tanks has built a new milestone in the development of China’s tank electro-optical countermeasure technology. This milestone is imbued with their hard work and wisdom, embodying their loyalty and dreams.
In November 2009, shortly after the National Day parade, a reporter from CCTV’s “Everyone” program interviewed Zhu Yusheng. When asked how he achieved the “1+1>2” policy, Zhu Yusheng blurted out, "We have a suppression observation system. Observation is the first priority on the battlefield. What if you can’t see the target? I want him to not see me, only I can see him, only I can hit him, not him hitting me’’
‘‘What technology are you using? Can you reveal a bit?’’
‘‘We use laser technology’’ Zhu Yusheng proudly answered
‘‘The relevant parties have given high praise to this research: "The technical characteristics of the third-generation main battle tank laser suppression observation system are that it integrates firepower and fire control functions, relies on real-time computer control, and is based on precise follow-up control to accurately drive the laser suppression instrument, forming an efficient and flexible electro-optical countermeasure system to interfere, damage and destroy enemy personnel and electro-optical detectors. This is the first attempt in China to use laser as a weapon and integrate it with the control system, effectively promoting the basic and applied research on the damage effect of laser on human eyes and optical instruments. This system fills the domestic gap, has international advanced level, and has important value in expanding the electro-optical countermeasure function of tanks
Armor expert Zhang Bingzhi pointed out that the installation of this weapon will inevitably improve the level of electro-optical countermeasures in the troops, enhance combat effectiveness, and boost morale. It not only has a direct destructive effect on enemy personnel, direct sight weapons, and electro-optical instruments working in the visible and near-infrared bands, but also can have a great psychological deterrent effect on the enemy’’
At present, the latest third-generation main battle tanks are also equipped with advanced optoelectronic active protection devices. The smoke screen launchers equipped on both sides of the turret can form an aerosol smoke barrier at a distance of 50-80m from the tank within 3 seconds, with a duration of 20 seconds. They interfere with the enemy’s laser target indicator and laser rangefinder, and have good shielding effect on the 0.4-14um band. In addition, a “laser suppression sighting system” is installed at the rear of the tank turret, as shown in Figure 2.4. The system consists of a laser alarm, a tracking turntable and servo system, and a laser suppression jamming machine, which can work in 360 ° all directions. The laser output energy is 1J, the pulse repetition frequency is 10pps, the continuous working time of the system is 30 minutes, the service life is 1.2 million times, and the maximum operating distance is 4000m. Its working mode is: after the laser alarm receives the signal of enemy tank ranging laser beam irradiation, the tracking turntable and follow-up system automatically turn the laser suppression jamming machine to the direction of the laser beam emission source. The laser suppression jamming machine emits a low-energy laser to determine the direction, distance, and type of the target. When the target is accurately located, the energy of the laser beam emitted by the laser suppression jamming machine will suddenly increase, directly destroying the enemy’s optical system or temporarily blinding the operator.
3.2 Performance
3.2.1 Damage distance
Under the standard atmospheric conditions specified in section 3.1 of GJB150.1-1986 (the same below), when the visibility is between 10km and 20km, the damage distance should meet the following requirements:
a) When the human eye is in an optical instrument without laser protection film (with a magnification of more than 6 times), the distance of eye damage to ground targets shall not be less than 6km, and the distance of eye damage to airborne targets shall not be less than 8km;
b) The damage (failure) distance of typical photoelectric sensing instruments such as laser rangefinders, infrared thermal imagers, low light night vision devices, television cameras, and laser alarms shall not be less than 5km.
3.2.2 Flash blind distance
Under standard atmospheric conditions, when the visibility is between 10km and 20km, the flash blind distance should meet the following requirements:
a) The flash blind distance for aerial targets shall not be less than 11km;
b) The flash blind distance to ground targets shall not be less than the maximum direct sighting distance of the corresponding weapon system.
3.2.3 Suppressing hit probability
Under standard atmospheric conditions, when the visibility is between 10km and 20km, the suppression hit probability should meet the following requirements:
a) The suppression system and target are both stationary, with a suppression hit probability of not less than 80%;
b) Suppress system movement and target stillness, with a suppression hit probability of not less than 40%.
3.2.4 Suppression Range
The following requirements should be met:
a) 360 ° horizontally;
b) The high and low directions should match the field of view of the aiming system.
3.2.5 Synchronization accuracy
The suppression system should be in a follow-up state, and the accuracy deviation from the aiming line of the follow-up system should not exceed 0.3mrad.
3.2.6 System response time
The time from pressing the suppression laser emission button to the suppression system emitting laser should not exceed 1.5 seconds.
3.2.7 Maximum Rotation Time
The suppression system should rotate 180 degrees from a stationary position and remain stationary for no more than 2 seconds.
3.2.8 Rotation accuracy
The turning accuracy in both horizontal and vertical directions should not exceed 0.20mrad.
3.2.9 Orthogonality of Shaft System
The following requirements should be met:
a) The horizontal runout of the laser emission axis should not exceed 0.15 mrad;
b) The high-low deflection of the laser emission axis should not exceed 0.15mrad.
Thank you for reading. Have a pleasant game : D