WZ-122A "Triple Hydraulic" Tank

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WZ-122A (Triple Hydraulic) is a prototype tank developed by China that integrates fluid power transmission+a hydraulic control system+ and a hydraulic-pneumatic suspension.
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Historical Background

The WZ-122A was a technological testbed vehicle initiated by China in April 1967 to bridge the gap with advanced Soviet T-64, American M60, and German Leopard 1 tanks. Its core innovation lay in the pioneering integration of a hydrodynamic transmission + hydraulic control system + hydropneumatic suspension—collectively termed the “Triple Hydraulic System”—aimed at achieving leaps in firepower and mobility.
On September 25, 1970, the first “Triple Hydraulic System” prototype (military designation: WZ-122A) was successfully completed. However, due to the immaturity of hydraulic technology—particularly critical bottlenecks in the complex hydropneumatic suspension—the prototype suffered repeated system failures during testing. After only a brief demonstration phase, the hydraulic project was immediately terminated.

By November 27, 1970, developers reverted to proven conventional technologies: mechanical transmission, torsion bar suspension, and manual controls. This revised variant became known as the “Triple Mechanical System” prototype.

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In the image, the upper part shows the Three-Hydraulic System prototype tank, while the lower part depicts the Three-Mechanical Enhanced Variant System prototype tank. The differences between them are evident at a glance.

Overall Layout

The WZ-122A Medium Tank retains the low-profile turret and streamlined hull design typical of Chinese tanks. The crew consists of four members: driver, loader, gunner, and commander. The specific layout is as follows:
Front Section (Driver’s Compartment)The driver’s seat is positioned on the left side of the hull front, accessed via a hatch in the glacis plate.
Middle Section (Combat Compartment) Main armament is a 120mm smoothbore tank gun paired with a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun and a roof-mounted 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun.
Turret Arrangement: The cast steel turret accommodates three crew members:
Loader: Positioned on the right side of the main gun, responsible for ammunition handling.
Commander: Located on the left side of the gun, with a cupola providing 360° visibility.
Gunner: Situated front-left below the commander, operating the main gun and fire control systems.
Ammunition Racks: Arranged on the right side and front-right of the turret, storing up to 40 rounds of 120mm ammunition.
Rear Section (Power Compartment)Engine: Features a transversely-mounted compact diesel engine
Engine: Domestic V-type water-cooled diesel engine, rated power approximately 478 kW (690 hp)。
Transmission System:Hydraulic mechanical transmission: Two-degree-of-freedom planetary gearbox with 3 forward gears + 1 reverse gear, paired with a wet-type two-stage planetary steering mechanism to achieve stepless speed change and precise steering.operational ease compared to traditional mechanical transmissions.

Specifications

Combat weight: 37.5 tons
Crew: 4 personnel
Dimensions：9.52 meters (L) × 3.28 meters (W) × 2.25 meters (H)
Hull Armor: 100mm (front) / 80mm (sides) / 45mm (rear)
Turret Armor: 200mm (front) / 165mm (sides) / 65mm (rear)
Max speed: 55 km/h (road), 30 km/h (off-road)
Max range: 400 km

Armament

  • Primary weapon: 120mm smoothbore tank gun (-6° to +18° elevation) firing APFSDS (muzzle velocity 1,650 m/s)

    • Rate of fire: 3-4 rpm (manual loading)

  • Anti-tank missiles: Infrared-guided (HJ-4)4rounds
    Caliber: 120mm
    Weight: 15kg
    Length: 1,156mm
    Range: 3,000m
    Flight speed: 200–250 m/s
    Dynamic penetration: 150–180mm @65°
    Static penetration: 800mm

  • Secondary weapons:

    • twin 12.7mm AA MG
    • 7.62mm coaxial MG

  • Ammunition capacity:

    • 120mm rounds: 40
    • 12.7mm rounds: 500 (for twin MG)
    • 7.62mm rounds: 3,000
    • AT missiles: 4

Adjustable Hydropneumatic Suspension
Utilizing hydraulic cylinders and nitrogen accumulators for vehicle attitude control, theoretically enabling:

  1. Vehicle Height Adjustment:
  • ±160 mm vertical travel range
  • Lowering profile for concealment or negotiating low-clearance obstacles
  1. Pitch and Roll Compensation:
  • Extend the gun’s firing arc
  • Maintain stabilized firing capability on sloped terrain
  1. Automatic Track Tensioning:
  • Hydraulic system self-adjusts track tension
  • Reduces crew maintenance workload

Fire Control System

9 Likes
2

The hydropneumatic suspension control should make this a real threat in hilly and urbans maps making hull down positions much more easier to use.

6 Likes
3

+1. Yes.

4

+1 why not

5

+1, but the name is wrong. ‘WZ’ only started to be used in the 1980s, and was not retroactively given to earlier prototypes. It should just be 122.

Same with your 704 suggestion.

1 Like
6

Why does Gaijin use the Russian “Object” designation for the 122 in game?

7

+1, cursed and goofy, perfect for war thunder.

8

God knows, it’s completely inaccurate. I think probably a weird translation error. If they don’t want just a number, then ‘Project’ would be a better translation, i.e. Project 122, Project 211, etc. Should just be 122 and 211 tho.

2 Likes
9

I really liked this one. +1!

10

Is there any data on the hydropneumatic suspension? Specifically, the degrees of freedom which the suspension has. The adjustment of pneumatic suspension is a primary factor for the uniqueness of Triple Hydraulic to the Triple Mechanical WZ-122, and therefore an important consideration for the potential addition to the game.

The Japanese source states the WZ-122A Triple Hydraulic is capable of the full set of hydropneumatic suspension adjustment, including tilting forward-backward and left-right (in other terms, both pitch and roll), and height adjustment of specifically 160mm.

Excerpt from source

「三液型」の油圧式サスペンションは前後左右の姿勢制御、上下160mmの車高変更が可能。

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However, the Russian [1] [2], and English language sources state that the hydropneumatic suspension was incapable of any adjustment whatsoever. The Chinese language source and the forum source do not comment on this matter. From a cursory look at only the linked source sites, it appears that there is no conclusive evidence on the hydropneumatic suspension adjustment question. There also exists a significant amount of circular referencing. Therefore, a primary source with relevant data should be searched for.

11

Yes, I’ll send it out when I get back in the evening and correct it. This is the first time that the information submitted is not very complete, and I will send a more comprehensive one later, but this one can not pass the other one. ，

1 Like
12

Also cannot calculate the mistake, in China does not have the official installation tank, often only has the code name, therefore often appears a tank many names. But when the tank is colloquial, it is called “Triple Hydraulic” “SAN,YE”，But now all the written reports in China are called WZ122-1 or WZ-122A, which can be accepted by Chinese players.

13

Update. The Japanese language source (from seesaawiki.jp), which states that 122A’s hydropneumatic suspension was adjustable, seems to be more credible. It directly cites primary source material from relevant Chinese books, articles, etc. Although I have not yet reviewed the primary source material myself, they are from existing articles. It would be great if anyone here has access to said source material.

In contrast, the English, Russian, Chinese language sources only have other websites as their sources. The English language source, specifically from tanks-encyclopedia.com, also contradicts itself on this topic, first saying the tank could not tilt or raise suspension, but later writing “adjustable hydro-pneumatic” suspension under the characteristics. This source is then cited by the Russian language source [1] from wikiwarriors.org, representing an instance of circular reporting, rather than actual independent corroboration.

In conclusion, it is highly probable that the WZ-122A’s hydropneumatic suspension was adjustable in all directions (left-right, forward-backward, up-down).

14

This needs to be added. It’d be a really nice tech tree alternative to the squadron tank, but if it is added, the squadron vehicle needs to have its model updated to actually reflect it being the TM variant. Additionally, PLEASE GAIJIN, STOP CALLING THEM OBJECTS!! +1

1 Like