I see no topic on the type 05 amphibious fighting vehicle on forum so here it is.
The type 05 amphibious armoured vehicle is a family of tracked armoured vehicles consisting of two main variants the ZBD-05 IFV and the ZTD-05 amphibious assault vehicle. The former armed with a ZPT-99 30mm comparable to the 2A42 present in game which is more familiar to us. It has capability of firing multiple types of rounds including APFSDS; the turret also features an HJ-73C launcher, capable of penetrating 800mm of RHA. The latter the ZTD-05 is armed with a ZPL-98A 105mm rifled gun derived from British L7 and very similar to that of ZLT-11 featuring the same DTC2-105 APFSDS capable of more than 50mm of penetration.
The type 05 amphibious vehicle is fully amphibious, able to reach a 20 knot max speed in water and 65 on road. The diesel engine is able to produce 550hp on land and up to 1475hp in water. Thanks to the flat hull, extendable bow and retractable road wheels the max speed on water exceeds 30km/h allowing faster landing. Both variants also features hydropneumatic suspension and have a maximum deploy range of 500km.
The ZTD-05’s ZPT-98A has a fire rate of 6-8 rounds per minute, capable of firing APFSDS, HE, HEAT and beam riding GL-ATGM projectiles. Both variants of type 05 is armed with computerized fire control system, laser range finder and ballistic computer. The gunner features daylight/IR NVD sight until ZLT05 which gained thermal sight in upgrade, commander features thermals and over-ride system. The vehicle also features fully digital interface allowing the gunner, commander and driver to access information through independent displays.
The hull is constructed with aluminium alloy chassis with additional steel glacis plates. Aluminium alloy reduces weight and provides protection against small arms rounds and shell splatter, while the steel plates can stop 12.7mm rounds. The turret is constructed of all-welded steel armour with composite plates, which gives all-around protection against 12.7mm rounds and shell splinters. The front face of the turret is claimed to stop 25mm AP round at 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). The upper part of the suspension is protected by armour plates.
The development of type 05 amphibious vehicle started in early 2000s as new standards of combat were listed under US influence. US’s own AAAV featured 43km/h speed in water as the US research suggested that there is only 2 hour between the spotting of ships and reaction completed. Under this influence, China set its own goals to amphibious vehicles. China’s idea about a new amphibious vehicle came as early as 1980s, when a series of Chinese amphibious vehicles received upgrades allowing use in more wave intense conditions to allow direct release from ships as relationships becomes intense. Such upgrades are first applied to the familiar type 63 and latter to ZBD86 and others. After the taiwan missile crisis where these post upgrade vehicles involved in landing exercise, the new generation amphibious assault vehicle project was started as early as 1999, chief designer was Chen Peng Fei under NORINCO.
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