The Type 98 (PF-98) is a 120mm unguided anti-tank rocket system developed by
Norinco
China North Industries Group Corporation Limited, doing business internationally as Norinco Group (North Industries Corporation), and known within China as China Ordnance Industries Group Corporation Limited (), is a Chinese state-owned defense ...
for the
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is the principal military force of the People's Republic of China and the armed wing of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The PLA consists of five service branches: the Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, ...
as a successor to the Type 65 and
Type 78
The Type 78 is a Chinese-made 82 mm smoothbore recoilless gun designed to provide a rapid, direct fire support for the PLA infantry troops against targets such as light tanks, armoured vehicles, and bunkers. The Type 78 is an improved version of ...
recoilless guns. It is also known by its nickname, "Queen Bee". It can be equipped with a firing control system which predicts the future aiming point based on calculations before the rocket fire.
Development
The PLA began to search for a successor for the
Type 78
The Type 78 is a Chinese-made 82 mm smoothbore recoilless gun designed to provide a rapid, direct fire support for the PLA infantry troops against targets such as light tanks, armoured vehicles, and bunkers. The Type 78 is an improved version of ...
in the 1990s. The older, 1950s-era equipment began to show its age. The Type 98 was revealed with a garrison unit in Macao in 1999, while some elite units began to receive the weapon after 2000.
The design makes the accurate delivery of a 120 mm multi-purpose high-explosive or high-explosive anti-tank projectile with negligible recoil possible. The weapon can be tripod- or shoulder-fired.
Design
Launcher
PF-98 reusable tube launcher is a fibreglass-wrapped smoothbore gun and weighs under . Two variants, battalion-level and company-level, are available. Both variants share the same launch tube and rocket projectiles. Their difference in capabilities and usage lies in their sighting system and tripod mount. Both PF-98 variants are fitted with a proprietary rail mount that can be equipped with a fire control system, daylight optics, or night vision scope. The Battalion version features a fire control system, medium-range night vision scope, and large tripod. The tripod of the battalion version allows an elevation of +30° to −6°, and a horizontal traverse of 360°. The company version has daylight optics, close-range night vision scope, and a small fixed tripod to support the launcher in the prone position. The weapon can be operated by one soldier or a crew of two. The accessories can be mounted interchangeably.
The PF-98A is the improved variant of PF-98, which was incorporated into service in 2006. The PF-98A launcher's firing tube, tripod and carrying handle are modified to reduce weight. The new launcher weighs . It's also fitted with improved night-vision scope and fire control systems. The PF-98A launcher can be distinguished from its predecessor by its octagon-shaped forward and rear shock absorbers, which prevent the launcher from rolling on uneven surfaces.
The PLA deployed PF-98 to both Company and Battalion firepower units for direct infantry fire support, with iterative improvements such as new fire-control systems, lighter launcher tubes, and programmable munitions.
Since the deployment of more sophisticated missiles at battalion/company-level firepower units, PF-98 launchers have been transferred to infantry squads of lower echelons. In late 2018, the lightweight PF-98A was deployed for infantry use on a squad level.
Sights
Three types of sight systems are available for PF-98 series: fire control systems, daylight (4x) telescopic sights, and night-vision scopes. PF-98 battalion version is fitted with the fire control system and night-vision scope, while the company version is fitted with the daylight telescopic sight and night-vision scope. An integrated fire control/night vision system is available for the PF-98A variants.
Fire control systems
The fire-control of the
battalion
A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions are ...
version Type 98 consists of a Y/MK/PF-98(Y)-120 (4x) optical sight, which includes a fire-control computer, a
laser rangefinder
A laser rangefinder, also known as a laser telemeter, is a rangefinder that uses a laser beam to determine the distance to an object. The most common form of laser rangefinder operates on the time of flight principle by sending a laser pulse in ...
, an outside display, an
LED display
A LED display is a flat panel display that uses an array of light-emitting diodes as pixels for a video display. Their brightness allows them to be used outdoors where they are visible in the sun for store signs and billboards. In recent y ...
inside the optical sight, and a
keyboard
Keyboard may refer to:
Text input
* Keyboard, part of a typewriter
* Computer keyboard
** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping
** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware
Music
* Musi ...
with 25 buttons. After pressing the range-finding button on the extension cord, the system will automatically irradiate the target and make ballistic calculations. The operator can input additional information such as target speed, direction, crosswind,
temperature
Temperature is a physical quantity that expresses quantitatively the perceptions of hotness and coldness. Temperature is measured with a thermometer.
Thermometers are calibrated in various temperature scales that historically have relied o ...
and
altitude
Altitude or height (also sometimes known as depth) is a distance measurement, usually in the vertical or "up" direction, between a reference datum and a point or object. The exact definition and reference datum varies according to the context ...
using the keyboard. After calculating the lead of the moving target, the computer will put a light spot in the gunner’s optical sight. The soldier then uses the light spot as the crosshair to guarantee a hit. This mechanism reduces the reaction time and makes for increased accuracy. This fire control system went through two upgrades, Type 00 and Type 01. Type 00 features revised aiming reticles. Type 01 fire control system featured a smaller fire control unit with a new ballistic computer, a new rangefinder unit, and a revised keyboard layout with 12 buttons.
Type 98A fire control system features a new laser rangefinder, speed calculation unit, and ballistic computer. The Type 98A FCS will automatically track the target and calculate the aiming assist light spot based on the range, target speed, selected ammo type, temperature and altitude.
In late 2018, a new integrated fire control system is observed in PLAGF military exercises. The new fire control system is fitted with a night-vision scope on the top, and the keyboard is moved to the left side. New FCS is capable of airburst programming.
Optical sights
The
company
A company, abbreviated as co., is a Legal personality, legal entity representing an association of people, whether Natural person, natural, Legal person, legal or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members share a common p ...
version Type 98 is fitted with an Y/MK/PF-98(L)-120 (4x) telescopic optical sight. Inside the scope, a light spot at the top will flash every second/half a second to assist the shooter's leading calculation. The company level's optical sight has the same ranging marks and reticles as the one on the
PF-89
The PF-89 or Type 89 is a portable, disposable, unguided, shoulder-launched, anti-tank rocket-propelled rocket launcher. Developed by Norinco for People's Liberation Army, PF-89 was designed to replace the obsolete Type 69 RPG, providing a man-p ...
.
Both company and battalion version PF-98 have dedicated night vision scope, with the battalion version having a longer range.
For PF-98A, company and battalion version no longer has different night-vision scope. The battery duration for night-vision is improved from 7 hours on PF-98, to 40 hours on PF-98A. The weight of the scope is also reduced from 2.85 kg to 1.2 kg.
Projectiles
Type 98 High Explosive Anti Tank (
HEAT
In thermodynamics, heat is defined as the form of energy crossing the boundary of a thermodynamic system by virtue of a temperature difference across the boundary. A thermodynamic system does not ''contain'' heat. Nevertheless, the term is al ...
) projectile, military designation DZP-98, is armed with a tandem-warhead and an electronically timed fuse. The round can pierce the reactive armor of a
main battle tank
A main battle tank (MBT), also known as a battle tank or universal tank, is a tank that fills the role of armor-protected direct fire and maneuver in many modern armies. Cold War-era development of more powerful engines, better suspension sys ...
, and has an armor-piercing depth of about 800 mm RHA (under 90 degrees, after ERA) at a maximum effective range of 800 m. The maximum flying range is 2000 m. The HEAT rounds weights .
Type 98A HEAT projectile features lightweight material, reducing the cartridge weight to . The case for booster charge is fitted with a small
drogue parachute
A drogue parachute is a parachute designed for deployment from a rapidly-moving object. It can be used for various purposes, such as to decrease speed, to provide control and stability, or as a pilot parachute to deploy a larger parachute. ...
to reduce its fly out distance for improved safety inside
backblast area
The backblast area is a cone-shaped area behind a rocket launcher, rocket-assisted takeoff unit or recoilless rifle, where hot gases are expelled when the rocket or rifle is discharged. The backblast area is dangerous to ground personnel, who may ...
.
Type 98 Multipurpose High Explosive Incendiary (HEI) projectile, military designation DZY-98, has a warhead with 2000 steel balls and
zirconium
Zirconium is a chemical element with the symbol Zr and atomic number 40. The name ''zirconium'' is taken from the name of the mineral zircon, the most important source of zirconium. The word is related to Persian '' zargun'' (zircon; ''zar-gun'', ...
incendiary material. This projectile is capable of piercing 400 mm armor and spread fragments inside the vehicle, or producing fragments to kill other personnel within 25 m of the point of impact. The maximum range is 1,800–2,000 m with fire control system or 800 m with daylight optics. The multipurpose round wrights around .
Type 98A HEI projectile features lightweight material, reducing the cartridge weight to . Other technical parameters are kept the same.
Type 98 Thermobaric (FAE) projectile, military designation DZT-98, is armed with a thermobaric warhead capable of eliminating targets within a 90m³ room. The maximum range is 1,800–2,000 m with fire control system or 800 m with daylight optics. Type 98 FAE projectiles are kept the same in Type 98A upgrade.
Type 98A Bunker Buster, military designation DZD-98A, is developed and deployed with Type 98A rocket launcher. The round can penetrate about 100 mm RHA at 60 degrees or of C35 concrete. The maximum range is 1,800–2,000 m with fire control system or 800 m with daylight optics.
Variants
;PF98:
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions are ...
and
company
A company, abbreviated as co., is a Legal personality, legal entity representing an association of people, whether Natural person, natural, Legal person, legal or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members share a common p ...
level version.
;PF98A: Lightweight version with improved fire control system, night-vision scope, and tripod.
Users
*
**
Bangladesh Army
The Bangladesh Army is the land warfare branch and the largest component of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. The primary mission of the Army is to provide necessary forces and capabilities to deliver the Bangladeshi government's security and def ...
*
**
Cameroon Armed Forces
The Cameroon Armed Forces (french: Forces armées camerounaises (FAC)) are the military of the Republic of Cameroon. The armed forces number 40,000 personnel in ground, air, and naval forces. There are approximately 40,000 troops in the army acr ...
*
**
People's Liberation Army Ground Force
The People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF; ) is the land-based service branch of the People's Liberation Army and the largest and oldest branch of the entire Chinese armed forces. The PLAGF can trace its lineage from 1927 as the Chine ...
*
*
See also
*
PF-89
The PF-89 or Type 89 is a portable, disposable, unguided, shoulder-launched, anti-tank rocket-propelled rocket launcher. Developed by Norinco for People's Liberation Army, PF-89 was designed to replace the obsolete Type 69 RPG, providing a man-p ...
*
Carl Gustav recoilless rifle
The Carl Gustaf 8.4 cm recoilless rifle (, named after ''Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori'' which initially produced it) is a Swedish developed caliber man-portable shoulder-fired recoilless rifle, initially developed by the Royal Swedish ...
(MAAWS) - Swedish–American rocket launcher
*
Shoulder-launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon
The Mk 153 Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon (SMAW) is a smoothbore shoulder-fired rocket launcher. It is a portable assault weapon (i.e. bunker buster) and has a secondary anti-armor capability. Developed from the B-300, it was intr ...
(SMAW) - American rocket launcher
*
Panzerfaust 3
The Panzerfaust 3 (lit. "armor fist" or "tank fist") is a modern semi-disposable recoilless anti-tank weapon, which was developed between 1978 and 1985 and first entered service with the Bundeswehr in 1987 (although they did not officially adopt ...
(Pzf-3) - German rocket launcher
*
RPG-29
The RPG-29 "Vampir" (Russian for "vampire") is a Soviet reusable rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher. Adopted by the Soviet Army in 1989, it was the last RPG to be adopted by the Soviet military before the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.
T ...
- Soviet reusable rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher
References
External links
''PF-98''at
SinoDefence
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is the principal military force of the China, People's Republic of China and the armed wing of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The PLA consists of five Military branch, service branches: the People's ...
{{Modern Chinese Infantry Weapons
Weapons of the People's Republic of China
Anti-tank rockets
Military equipment introduced in the 1990s
Norinco