- Yes
- No
History
The WZ551, designed in the mid-1990s, was the first widely deployed wheeled APC in China. The AFT09 ZSL92 PTL02, developed from WZ551 served in large numbers in the PLAA for a long time and created a habit of using wheeled armored vehicles among the troops. ZSL92 and its improved version ZSL92B, were often used as IFV though their protection was fragile. Even now, these vehicles remained in service with some units.
Modernized ZBL92B
At the end of the 20th century, with the international development of the 8×8 family of wheeled armored vehicles represented by the Stryker, the Army found that the ZSL92 was lagging behind in every aspect of its metrics. The flimsy armor and 6×6 layout could no longer meet the Army’s needs. They needed a more advanced, versatile chassis as a successor, relying on increasingly developed road mobility or rapid deployment by air.
ZBL-08 first appeared in public on October 1, 2009 at the 60th National Day Parade of the People’s Republic of China, and is products of the NORINCO, using an armored chassis designed and developed by Inner Mongolia First Machinery Factory Group. Its development is thought to have begun at the beginning of the twenty-first century. After being finalized, it was produced and fielded and improved at a very high rate thereafter.In addition to replacing the aging WZ551 family of vehicles, the ZBL-08 and its derivatives were also used to replace ZTZ59s that some units were originally equipped with, turning those units into new armored units.
The B in its name stands for infantry, the S for conveyor, and the L for wheeled. In today’s Army establishment, it is under the Medium Synthesis Brigade and operates with other vehicles on the same chassis.
The ZLT and ZBLs
In order to improve the situational awareness of such forces, the army chose a ZBL08 reconnaissance model equipped with a CITV and a 30mm gun as an accompanying vehicle for artillery battalions and reconnaissance units.
This reconnaissance vehicle is similar to the regular ZBL08, except that it has an additional CITV and two observers, and appears to have had its missile launchers removed. According to media reports, its CITV has the ability to extend up to 10 meters.
In an official documentary, this model of the ZBL was shown performing guard duty and acting as a force digitization node to share information with other vehicles. There is also some information that this vehicle has the ability to direct artillery fire in artillery units.
ZBL‘s CITV
It is worth noting that there is another armored reconnaissance vehicle derived from the ZBL08, which is armed only with the HJ73 and the heavy machine gun, and it is important to note the difference when describing them.
Another reconnaissance version
In War Thunder
ZBL08 reconnaissance model will play very similarly to the RCV(P), with its reconnaissance capability being its primary strength. The ZBL08 reconnaissance model can be added to the game as a Squadron vehicle at the same time as the ZBL08 appears.
Spefications
Crew: 3 + 2 reconnoiters
Mass: 16 t
Length: 8 m
Width: 3 m
Height: ~2.5 m
Main armament: 30 mm ZPL02 autocannon
Secondary armament: 5.8 mm QJT machine gun (No information on missile armament)
Engine: 440 hp Deutz BF6M1015C diesel
Maximum speed: 100 km/h
Maximum range: 800 km
Ground clearance: 0.4 m
Accessories:
81mm Smoke Grenade Launchers
Laser Rangefinder
Two-way Stabilizer
commander and gunner thermal vision
Reconnaissance drones
Sources
【军武零距离 侦察尖兵-哔哩哔哩】 军武零距离 侦察尖兵_哔哩哔哩_bilibili
