- Yes
- No
- 1.YES
- 2.NO
Development history:
Spoiler
In the mid-1980s, all countries in the world began to develop third-generation tanks, and China’s second-generation tanks have not been finalized after more than 10 years of development. This shows that at that time, China’s tank technology was two generations behind that of the United States, the Soviet Union, Germany and other countries. At that time, China’s best engine power was half that of Germany, and the best tank gun was introduced as the L7 105mm tank gun. FCS was still in the Optical Spot Injection Function.，The initial stage of Automatic Fire Data Setting Function, as well as various gaps in other areas. This made it difficult for Zhu yusheng. In 1980, the Chinese Society of Systems Engineering was founded, and Zhyusheng served as a director. In 1982, under the leadership of Zhyusheng, the China Ordnance Industry System Engineering Research Institute was established. During this period, the leadership of Zu yusheng and Chenshengyun introduced to China the most advanced set of basic concepts, basic theories, main methods and analytical techniques of weapon system analysis in the world’s military systems. In 1983, China’s third generation tank project officially started and was designed by Zhu yusheng as the chief designer，the project code is WZ123.When discussing the problem, Zhu Yusheng often repeated Qian Xuesen’s words: The purpose of system engineering is to solve the overall optimization problem, the overall can be greater than the sum of the parts, although the parts are inferior, the overall can be optimal, and so on.
On September 18, 1985, a working meeting of some development units was held at the Tank Institute, later called the “918 meeting”. The meeting set up the general division office, the technical advisory group, established a sub-system, and clarified the overall design idea: the system to win, functional coverage, to achieve the ability to deal with advanced tanks in the 1990s, and still have vitality in 2000. The basic development idea is “two steps” : the first step, the basic task is to complete the superior approval of the combat technology indicators, the main performance is better than T-72, and leave room for development. Equipped with 125 guns, automatic loading machine, 735 kW engine, double-side transmission mechanical transmission, improved image stabilization fire control, multi-functional standard combination armor, the vehicle weighs 50 tons. The second step is a follow-up task, with an 882 kW engine and a ton horsepower of 24. External multi-functional combination armor, increase ultra-close anti-missile, automatic tracking image stabilization, suppression viewing and other new technologies, to function coverage, system to win the design idea, to compete with T-80, M1 and Leopard II.
In 1991, the dynamic test prototype of WZ123 rolled off the assembly line
（The initial conceptual model of the third generation MBT was very similar to that of the T-72 MBT）
Early concept models of the third-generation main battle tank used external modular composite armor
Zhu Yusheng of China 1200 HP 150HB diesel engine preliminary prototype program review meeting site and watching 1200 HP 150HB diesel engine test site
The first dynamic demonstration of the third generation main battle tank
Description:
Spoiler
The turret appearance of the tank was similar to that of the 90-II but the overall volume and turret front area were larger and the smoke emitter layout was different. Defensively, the turret composite armor of the tank used the Phase I Targets composite armor（There’s no code name） based on the 682-2 composite armor, as did the BK1871 prototype of the 90-II.Performance figures are slightly lower than Swiss composite armor from around the 1980s.Chassis protection level is similar to T72 tank
It is armed with a 125mm tank gun, a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, using a Carousel-type automatic loading mechanism
The engine is a 150HB 1200 HP engine
Data:
Spoiler
Country of origin: China
Number of members: 3
Tank gun: 125mm X1
Machine gun: 12.7X1
7.62X1
Engine: 150HB diesel engine 1200hp
Maximum speed: 67 km/h
Combat range: 450 km
Spare ammunition: 41 rounds
Length 7.6m (without barrel) / 11m (with barrel)
Width 3.5 m
Photos:
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