Type 98 anti-tank rocket

Infobox Weapon
name= Type 98


caption= A PF98 rocket launcher on display at the "Our Troops Towards the Sky" exhibition.
origin= People's Republic of China
type=Anti-tank missile
is_ranged= yes
is_explosive=
is_artillery= yes
service=
used_by= People's Liberation Army
wars=
designer=
design_date=
manufacturer= Norinco
unit_cost=
production_date=
number=
variants=
spec_label=
weight=
length= 1,191 mm
part_length=
width=
height=
diameter=
crew= 1-2
cartridge=
caliber=120mm
barrels=
action=
rate= 4-6 rds per minute
velocity=
range=
max_range= 800 m (HEAT) to 1800 m (HE)
feed=
sights= optical / 4x optical
breech=
recoil=
carriage=
elevation= -6° / +30°
traverse= 360°The Type 98 is a 120 mm anti-tank rocket system developed by Norinco for the People's Liberation Army as a successor to the Type 78 and Type 65 recoilless gun.

Development

The PLA began to search for a successor for the Type 78 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 high-explosive or high-explosive anti-tank projectile with negligible recoil possible. The weapon can be tripod- or shoulder-fired.

Launcher

The reusable tube launcher is fibreglass-wrapped and weights under 10 kg. Two variants are available, both are equipped with nightvision. The Battalion version carries a primitive fire-control. The reaction time (from acquiring the target to firing) is about 10 seconds. The primitive fire-control of the battalion version Type 98 consists of an optical sight with nightvision channel (500m range), a fire-control computer, a laser rangefinder and a LED display. The system can automatically find the distance and make the ballistic calculations which are then displayed on the LED screen for the gunner. This reduces the reaction time and makes for increased accuracy. The company version Type 98 is fitted with an x4 telescopic optical sight with a night vision channel (300m range). A computer calculates the lead of moving targets and put a light spot in the gunner’s optical sight to assist in aiming the device. The tripod of the battalion version allows an elevation of +30° to -6° around 360°. The weapon is manually operated by 1~2 soldiers. The company version has a small fixed tripod to support the launcher when it is used in lower firing position.

Projectiles

The HEAT (High Explosive Anti Tank) projectile is armed with two tandem warheads and an electronically timed fuse. The round can pierce the reactive armor of a main battle tank, and has an armour-piercing depth of about 800 mm (under 90 degrees) at a maximum range of 800 m.

The multipurpose High Explosive round has a warhead with 120 steel balls and incendiary material. This round is capable of piercing 400 mm armor (under 55 degrees). Due to the framented nature it kills the crew inside, or produces fragments to kill other personnel within 25 m of the point of impact. The maximum range is 1,800~2,000m.

References

* [http://www.sinodefence.com/army/crewserved/type98.asp Sinodefence: Type 98]