Thursday, December 13, 2012

China upgrades tracked SPAAG from PGZ04 to PGZ07 for short-range air defense

China has introduced an upgraded tracked Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (SPAAG) Air Defense System, the PGZ07 alongside its existing PGZ04A / PGZ95. The system is designed to provide short-range air defense to armoured formations.

Similar to the wheeled CS/SA1, the turret of the PGZ07 comes with dual PG99 35 mm guns, which can each fire 550 rounds per minute at a range of 5500 m. Various compatible rounds have been developed by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO).
  • High Explosive Incendiary (HEI)
  • Semi Armour Piercing High Explosive Incendiary (SAPHEI)
  • Frangible Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot (FAPDS)
  • Programmable Time Fuze Pre-fragmented (PTFP), which are similar to AHEAD rounds from RheinMetall.

The PGZ07 comes with its own dedicated tracking and search radar. The PGZ04A electro-optic director (EOD), consisting of television / infrared tracking cameras and a laser rangefinder, was retained in the PGZ07. The PGZ07 can be upgraded with the addition of 2 x 2 FL-3000 / HQ-10 missiles with a maximum range of 9000 m, although currently operational PGZ07 units have guns only.

The PGZ04A SPAAG is armed with 2 x 2 PG87 25 mm guns, which can each fire 600 rounds per minute. Range is 3200 m and a ceiling of 2500 m. The PGZ04A also has 2 x 2 QW-2 or FN-6 infrared missiles in later variants. The FN-6 missile has a range of 5500 m and a ceiling of 4000 m.

Compared to the PGZ04, the PGZ07 can engage targets much faster. The 35 mm guns can have a muzzle velocity of 1175 m/s depending on the type of round used. The muzzle velocity of the 25 mm rounds in the PGZ04A is 1050 m/s and the FN-6 missiles have a maximum speed of 600 m/s.

The 35 mm guns beats the 25 mm guns in range and effectiveness and can be used with anti-missile PTFP rounds. Against the PGZ04A missiles, the 35 mm rounds are faster with similar range and ceiling, while also providing protection against missiles.

Guns are much more resistant to jamming or spoofing than missiles. They are also harder to detect due to the absence of any missile plume. The larger 35 mm rounds are very effective against exposed troop copncentrations and lighly armoured vehicles.


The PGZ07 has been much improved compared to the old PGZ04A:
  • the PGZ07 comes with its own tracking and search radar. PGZ04A only has a search radar and optical tracking, which limits performance in all-weather conditions.
  • the 35 x 228 mm rounds of the PGZ07 can engage a wider range of targets faster than the 25 x 183B rounds / FN-6 missiles combo of the PGZ04A.
  • The PGZ07 can provide effective protection to armoured units against missile attack.
  • The 35 mm explosive and armour piercing rounds are much more effective against ground targets.

PGZ07_SPAAG.jpg

PGZ07_SPAAG_2.jpg

PGZ04A_SPAAG.jpg

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