In the recent past, NORINCO Corporation, one of the largest Chinese manufacturers of military equipment, presented a whole family of combat and auxiliary vehicles of all kinds. She developed a new multi-purpose light-class chassis, which later became the basis for a number of specialized models with one or another weapon. The base chassis of this family is known under the official name CS / VP4.
In recent years, the leadership of the People's Republic of China, while developing its armed forces, has been paying special attention to the airborne troops. Especially for this type of troops, new types of equipment are being developed that have the required features and capabilities. At the same time, new vehicles are offered not only to the Chinese army, but also to foreign customers. Several new developments of this kind were presented in this decade.
All-terrain vehicles NORINCO CS / VP4 of the Venezuelan army. Photo Defensanacional.argentinaforo.net
As follows from the available data, a few years ago, NORINCO designers began developing a promising multi-purpose wheeled platform capable of solving transport problems and used as the basis for combat vehicles with different weapons. The work was successfully completed, and then the first official demonstration of a promising machine took place at one of the Chinese exhibitions.
In promotional materials, the new Chinese-developed conveyor is designated as CS / VP4. In 2017, reports on the first export contract for the supply of such equipment indicated that it received the additional name Lynx (English "Lynx"). Combat vehicles based on the chassis have their own designations, to some extent resembling the name of the base platform, but indicating that such equipment belongs to other classes.
There is reason to believe that the light all-terrain vehicle CS / VP4 was originally developed exclusively as a means of transporting people and small loads. The first version of its design did not allow the installation of any serious weapons or large equipment. In the future, this problem was solved by revising the project, and to date, customers are offered two options for the conveyor.
A car with a windshield installed. Photo Defensanacional.argentinaforo.net
The CS / VP4 transport vehicle is actually a passenger car of minimal dimensions and carrying capacity with a four-axle chassis with high cross-country ability. To maximize the lightness of the design, the all-terrain vehicle received an open-top body. In addition, the project does not provide for the use of any booking. However, the presence of armor would not correct the situation. The hull is notable for its low sides and only partially covers people, which makes the armor useless.
The CS / VP4 project proposes the use of a hermetically sealed metal enclosure with a characteristic shape. Its frontal part has a widening shape with a wedge-shaped profile, which facilitates movement on water. The lower part of the sides is made in the form of a vertical sheet, above which a shelf of trapezoidal section is placed. In the stern, sloped sheets are again used, above which the box-shaped casing of the power plant was placed in the basic version of the project. There is no hull roof. Protection of the crew and passengers from external influences is carried out with the help of an upper front plate, removable windscreen and awning.
The body layout is very simple. Its entire upper part, made in the form of a large free volume, is given under the cockpit for the crew, passengers and cargo. In the front of the cockpit there are two separate seats for the driver and commander. Behind them, on the sides, a pair of folding seats of the simplest design are installed. The larger two-seater sofa seat is located at the rear of the habitable volume, directly in front of the engine compartment wall.
Controls at the driver's workplace. Photo Defensanacional.argentinaforo.net
At the level of the front seats and the rear seat, two safety arches are fixed, also serving as the base of the awning. The front arc of the transverse arrangement is complemented by a curved part mounted on the longitudinal axis of the machine and fixed to the front plate. This part is equipped with fasteners for installing two removable windshields.
In the rear of the CS / VP4 hull is placed an internal combustion engine with an output of 87 hp, the parameters of which ensure high mobility of the machine in all conditions. Access to the engine is organized through the aft hatch. On the starboard side of the engine compartment, there is a round radiator window covered with a mesh. A small-sized muffler is located under it.
The engine torque is distributed to all wheels by means of a mechanical transmission located above the bottom of the housing. According to available data, the transmission of the all-terrain vehicle provides control of the drive of the wheels of the different sides. Using this function, the driver can literally turn the car on the spot.
Stern view. Photo Defensanacional.argentinaforo.net
The four-axle undercarriage is built on the basis of an independent suspension and is equipped with medium-diameter wheels. The undercarriage includes steering wheel steering means. Thus, depending on the current conditions, the driver can choose the best way to control the machine. At the same time, however, the small dimensions of the all-terrain vehicle can limit the overall cross-country ability. In particular, the ground clearance of the CS / VP4 is only 270 mm.
The main task of the multipurpose vehicle is to transport soldiers with weapons and some small loads. In certain situations, she can also tow a trailer or other equipment. In this case, the hull is equipped with a drawbar and its own rings for connecting to the towing vehicle.
The transport vehicle, in accordance with the original project, has no standard armament. Nevertheless, in combat units it is equipped with small arms. So, the crosspiece of the front arc can be used to mount a rifle or large caliber machine gun. Attachments for transporting personal weapons are provided next to the crew seats.
All-terrain vehicles CS / VP4 of the Chinese army. Photo People.cn
In its basic configuration, the NORINCO CS / VP4 multipurpose all-terrain vehicle has the smallest possible dimensions and weight. The length of the vehicle is only 3.94 m, the width is 1.55 m, the height along the arcs is 1.8 m. The total weight is determined at 2.85 tons with a payload of up to 1100 kg. First of all, the reduction in weight and dimensions was associated with the need to ensure maximum strategic mobility of equipment. The car was supposed to fit into the cargo bays of various military transport aircraft and helicopters.
Moving along the highway, the Chinese all-terrain vehicle is capable of speeds up to 65 km / h. The car overcomes water obstacles by swimming, moving due to the rotation of the wheels. In this case, the maximum speed is reduced to 4 km / h. The cruising range on the highway is 400 km. On land, the chassis is capable of climbing a slope of about 30 °. A ditch 1, 2 m wide and a wall 400 mm high are crossed. The minimum turning radius is 2.5 m.
The existing chassis is said to allow the NORINCO CS / VP4 multipurpose vehicle to move through different terrain and terrain without the threat of getting stuck. At the same time, she can carry up to six people with weapons and, possibly, a trailer with a load. Such capabilities can be used when conducting patrols, for delivering personnel to various objects, etc. The lack of armor, however, precludes the use of technology on the front line during open confrontations.
Chinese equipment in the exercise. Photo Trishul-trident.blogspot.com
The all-terrain vehicle and equipment based on it, first of all, are intended for use in the airborne troops, with which the requirements for dimensions and weight are associated. Depending on the capabilities available and the goals set, the CS / VP4 machine can be transported by various land, air or water transport. These all-terrain vehicles fit on railway platforms and in truck bodies. They can be transported by Mi-8 helicopters. Military transport aircraft, depending on the size of the cargo compartment, are capable of taking on board up to several multi-purpose chassis.
In the case of using military transport aircraft, it is possible to airborne both by landing and parachute methods. In the latter case, the CS / VP4 needs a corresponding additional equipment. The landing of the vehicle along with the crew, apparently, is not provided.
The light all-terrain vehicle CS / VP4 was created primarily as a vehicle for soldiers. Nevertheless, it was quickly adapted to the solution of combat missions. Since a certain time, an anti-aircraft self-propelled gun based on this platform has been demonstrated at exhibitions. By installing some new units, the transport was turned into a full-fledged autonomous combat unit with a full set of equipment.
If necessary, the crew can attack the enemy. Photo Trishul-trident.blogspot.com
A closed double cabin with advanced glazing and side doors was installed directly on the existing hull. Behind the cockpit, a flat platform was made with devices for mounting a combat module. The design of the power plant, transmission and chassis was obviously not changed. On the site behind the cockpit, a remotely controlled combat module with a block of optoelectronic observation and detection equipment was placed. A small-caliber automatic cannon is located on the mobile unit. In this configuration, CS / VP4 can accompany troops on the march, monitor the air situation and fire on approaching aircraft.
The multipurpose chassis NORINCO CS / VP4 can be used for the construction of various types of equipment, but a number of design features reduce its modernization potential. In this regard, on the basis of the basic all-terrain vehicle, another machine was created that retains the main features and capabilities, but at the same time has certain advantages over it.
The new version of the CS / VP4 all-terrain vehicle has a different hull layout. The power plant and the transmission devices connected to it were moved to the front of the hull, as a result of which it received a large hood with a characteristic shape. Now, in front of the driver's seat, there was a large hull unit with a horizontal roof and advanced on-board units, which provided for engine cooling grilles. In addition, the size of the front overhang increased, which, however, did not affect the cross-country performance.
Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun based on a multipurpose chassis. Photo Imp-navigator.livejournal.com
The transfer of the engine made it possible to abandon the protruding aft casing and in some way increase the permissible dimensions of the loading platform. In fact, this was the main goal of the new project, and the designers immediately took advantage of the results. In 2016, the NORINCO corporation presented several samples of self-propelled artillery, which were based on the front-engine version of the existing all-terrain vehicle.
On the open rear platform of the chassis, it is proposed to install a light multiple launch rocket system, a mortar or a large-caliber howitzer. Together with the weapon, such self-propelled guns receive one or another additional equipment, but they are based on an updated version of the CS / VP4 multipurpose chassis.
By now, the NORINCO CS / VP4 multipurpose cross-country transporter has managed to go into series production and supply several armies. According to known data, the People's Liberation Army of China became the first customer of such equipment. Her order, which appeared at the beginning of the decade, provided for the delivery of at least several dozen cars in the original transport configuration. There were also fragmentary reports about the possible purchase of artillery installations based on a modified chassis. New equipment is being transferred to troops in need of light, cross-country vehicles. It was supplied to the airborne units, as well as to the border troops. The latter use all-terrain vehicles for patrolling in mountainous and desert areas.
Light MLRS on a modified chassis. Photo Imp-navigator.livejournal.com
In June 2017, the Venezuelan army boasted of its new equipment. The military department of the Latin American country has published an official message on the receipt of the first batch of Chinese all-terrain vehicles in the basic transport configuration. The manufacturing corporation handed over to the customer about two dozen pieces of equipment. Perhaps in the future there will be a new order for the second batch. There is no information about the desire of Caracas to acquire self-propelled artillery guns.
The airborne troops solve special tasks and therefore need specialized equipment with the appropriate capabilities and characteristics. One of the options for solving the problem of equipping the landing units with light vehicles was the NORINCO CS / VP4 all-terrain vehicle project. Subsequently, on its basis, it was possible to create a new multi-purpose chassis, which was used in the development of promising artillery models. Perhaps the development of existing ideas will continue, and soon China will show its new models of light military equipment.
