Type 05 amphibious fighting vehicle

The Chinese military studied Normandy landings and Pacific War and deemed that both high water speed (HWS) capability and organic firepower are essential for successful landing operations. Then the People's Liberation Army (PLA) tasked China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco) and China State Shipbuilding Corporation to develop a family of amphibious vehicles that can perform cross-sea landing operations, which was named the Project 212. The project was led by chief designer Chen Pengfei (). During the development, Chinese engineers encountered the vicious cycle of the power-to-weight ratio, as high engine output requires a heavier engine that leads to a heavier vehicle. To resolve the issue, the design team designed a planing hull with retractable tracks, water jet propulsion, buoyancy-inducing materials, aluminum alloy chassis, and dynamically adjustable trim vane and stern flaps that can automatically change to optimal angles to generate lift and reduce drag. The Project 212 amphibious infantry fighting vehicle was able to achieve water speed at , which is a considerable improvement over a similar type of vehicle like AAV7A1 amphibious assault vehicle (AAV). The United States's cancellation of Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) leaves China the only country to produce a vehicle with such a unique concept. AAV's replacement, the Amphibious Combat Vehicle also lacks high water speed (HWS) capability. The Project 212 was certified as Type 05. The whole project was developed between 2001 and 2004, with the first production vehicle completed in 2005. Two variants of the vehicle family were developed first, the infantry fighting variant ZBD-05 and the assault gun/light tank variant ZTD-05. ZBD-05 vehicles were showcased in the military parades of 2009 and 2015. The ZTD-05 assault vehicle variant also replaced the obsolete Type 63A amphibious tank introduced in the late 1990s. Research and development effort is reflected in the capable design. The vehicle implies that China is determined to secure advanced amphibious assault capabilities. ==Design==

Mobility The Type 05 features a flat hull, an extendable bow, an extendable rear flap, six retractable road wheels on each side, and front/rear rollers. The vehicle's design results in significantly reduced drag. The bow-mounted trim vane and the rear flap adaptively change their angles according to the current displacement speedometer so that fluid resistance can always be kept at the lowest, optimal level. The automatic control system ensures simplified operation. Armament The Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) variant, ZBD-05, is built to support infantry and amphibious operations. The 3-man crew consists of the driver positioned front-left of the turret, with commander and gunner occupying the turret. The vehicle features a ZPT-99 30mm cannon turret with a HJ-73C ATGM rail launcher, capable of penetrating more than 800mm RHA after ERA. The vehicle can carry 7 to 8 (one squad) armed infantry in its passenger compartment at the rear. The Assault Vehicle (light tank) variant, ZTD-05, is armed with a fully stabilized ZPL-98A 105mm rifled gun. The ZTD-05 assault vehicle variant has a crew of four, including a loader. The rifled gun is also capable of launching laser guided beam-riding missile. Secondary weapons for both variants include a Type 86 7.62mm coaxial mounted machine gun. ZTD-15 features a QJC-88 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on the roof of the turret near the loader. Fire control Accuracy and precision are attained by a computerized fire-control system (FCS) on both ZBD-05 and ZTD-05. The fire control system includes a fire-control ballistic computer, laser rangefinder, two-plane stabilization, and daylight/infrared gunner sight with passive night vision channel. Commander has access to day/night independent thermal sight with hunter-killer (commander override) capability. ZTD-05 is equipped with laser designator for beam-riding SACLOS applications, and loader position is also fitted with an independent periscope. Both ZBD-05 and ZTD-05 are fitted with laser warning receivers, which are connected to 2 sets of 4-barrel smoke grenade launchers. The storage area around the aft section double as slat armor. ==Deployment==

Type 05 amphibious fighting vehicles are deployed by People's Liberation Army Ground Force amphibious assault brigades and People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps. ==Variants==

;Type 05 (ZTD-05 or ZLT-05) Amphibious Assault Vehicle (): The assault gun variant, armed with a ZPL98A 105mm low-recoil rifled gun, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and QJC-88 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun. An improved variant, designated ZLT-05A, with upgraded computer system and digital terminals accessible for driver, gunner, and commander. ;Type 05 (ZBD-05) Amphibious Infantry Fighting Vehicle (): The infantry fighting vehicle variant, armed with a ZPT-99 30mm autocannon, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and HJ-73C anti-tank missiles. ;Type 05 Amphibious Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle (): The Armoured reconnaissance variant, equipped with telescopic mast with electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) system, a laser-range finder, and an X-band radar. The variant has 12.7 mm heavy machine gun turret for defense. ;Type 05 Amphibious Armored Command Vehicle (): The mobile command and control variant, equipped with field communication and battle management system. ;Type 05 Amphibious Armored Recovery Vehicle (): The armoured recovery vehicle variant, equipped with a crane, hydraulic winch for emergency vehicle recovery. Additional handrail is installed on the top for ease of operation in the water. ;Type 05 (GSL132) Assault Breach Vehicle (): The mine clearance assaults vehicle variants. It is equipped with mine plow, mine detection device, Clear Lane Marking system, 8 tube obstacle clearing rockets, and rocket-projected mine clearing line charge (MICLIC). ;Type 05 Amphibious Armored Ambulance (): Armored ambulance variant based on Type 05 command vehicle chassis, providing frontline medical support and evacuation. The armored ambulance features emergency ventilator, air conditioning, monitoring, and shock-absorbing double bunk beds. ;Type 05 Air Defense Vehicle :The air defense variant. Eight HQ-13 missiles mounted on the Type 05 amphibious chassis. The vehicle also features an integrated radar and optics mast for search and tracking. ;VN16: Modified export variants of the ZTD-05. ;VN18: Modified export variants of the ZBD-05. ;VS25: Modified export variants of the Type 05 Amphibious Armored Recovery Vehicle. ==Operators==

• • People's Liberation Army Ground Force: 1,500+ units in service as of 2022. 750 units of ZBD-05; 750 units of ZTD-05; Uncounted units of other variants. • People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps: 320+ units in service as of 2021. 240 units of ZBD-05; 80 units of ZTD-05; Uncounted units of other variants. • : Adopted the VN16, VN18, and VS25 for the Venezuelan Marine Corps. • : 3 ordered in June 2020 at approximate cost of US$13 million for the Royal Thai Marine Corps and delivered in May 2021. == See also ==