The Type 11 (Chinese: 11式单兵综合作战系统; pinyin: 11 Shì dānbīng zònghé zuòzhàn xìtǒng; lit. 'Type 11 individual integrated combat system'), designated as QTS-11,[3] is an air burst grenade launcher integrated with the QBZ-03 assault rifle in service of Chinese military since 2015.[4][2]
| Type 11 Integrated Combat System | |
|---|---|
| Type | Dual barrel integrated Airburst grenade launcher/Assault rifle multi-weapon system |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2015–present |
| Used by | People's Liberation Army Ground Force People's Liberation Army Special Operations Forces |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Norinco |
| Designed | 2000s |
| Produced | 2011–present |
| No. built | At least 50,000 as of Jan, 2018 [1] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 4.27 kg (9.4 lb) (Empty, less optics) 5 kg (11 lb) (Loaded, less optics)[2] Up to 7 kg (15 lb) (Full system) |
| Length | 950 mm (37 in) |
| Cartridge |
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| Action |
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| Muzzle velocity |
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| Effective firing range |
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| Feed system |
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| Sights |
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This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2024) |
Reporting on the weapon as early as February 2011 initially identified the weapon as the ZH-05.[5]
Unlike other nations' airburst weapons, the QTS-11 has a single-shot grenade launcher that requires each round to be manually loaded and reloaded after every firing, while the others are magazine fed.[6] Initial PLA trials determined that a single-shot grenade launcher would make it easier to change the type of munitions fired.
History
editAppearance
editThe first pictures of the supposed rifles were shown as prototypes in 2006 and 2008.[7]
Deployment
editIn early 2018, Chinese state media announced the introduction of the weapon with the Sky Wolf Commando Unit, a PLA Special Operations Forces unit from the Western Theater Command.[1] It was also reported to be issued with the 76th Special Operations Brigade, 76th Group Army.[8]
The QTS-11 was reportedly used overseas during anti-pirate operations in the Gulf of Aden.[7]
Design
editThe QTS-11 system combines the QBZ-03 assault rifle with a 20 mm airburst grenade launcher and weighs between 5–7 kg (11–15 lb) when fully loaded.[9] It can use magazines from the QBZ-95 and the QBZ-03.[10]
The primary weapon of the system is the 20 mm grenade launcher, with the 5.8 mm rifle for secondary use.[11] Grenades are pre-programmed through electronic sight with fire control system and loaded manually through bolt-action. Five types of grenade rounds available: impact detonation, airburst, armor-piercing, improved fragmentation and shotgun-type rounds.[6] The U.S. encountered problems with the lethality of small 20 mm grenades during OICW development, resulting in a switch to larger 25 mm grenades for the XM25. The PLA claims their grenades have less electronics in them to carry more explosives and fragments to cause adequate wounding capability. The grenades are reportedly capable of a 7.7 m (25 ft) damage radius and an 800 m (0.50 mi) range with 220 m/s muzzle velocity.
It is 93 cm long and weighs 4.27 kg.[12]
The QTS-11 can be equipped with an additional eyepiece device mounted on the helmet allowing soldiers to shoot around corners. The video image will be streaming from the electronic sight to the single-eye goggle. The fire-control system can also be turned off for manual sighting without the airburst programming capability.[2]
The PLA does not have multi-purpose munitions but instead has different munitions types, which reduce the electronics needed and increase the firepower of the munition. Additionally, only the laser range finder and fire control system are integrated with the weapon, leaving optics optional and modular. These changes make it the lightest, and least capable, of all the airburst weapons in its base configuration.
| Weapon | Empty Weight | Loaded Weight | Rifle ammunition | Grenade ammunition | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QTS11 | 4.27 kg (9.4 lb) (less optics) | Up to 7 kg (15 lb) | 30 rounds 5.8x42 mm | 1 round 20x28B mm | Not known |
| XM29 | 6.8 kg (15 lb) | 8.2 kg (18 lb) | 30 rounds 5.56x45 mm | 5 rounds 20×28mm mm | US$12,000 |
| XM25 | 5.45 kg (12 lbs) | 6.35 kg (14.0 lb) | none | 5 rounds 25×40mm mm | US$25,000-$35,000 |
| K11 | 6.1 kg (13 lb) | 7.2 kg (16 lb) | 30 rounds 5.56x45 mm | 5 rounds 20×30mm mm | US$14,000 |
Users
edit
See also
edit- Norinco LG5 / QLU-11 – (China)
- XM29 OICW – (United States)
- XM25 CDTE – (Germany, United States)
- S&T Daewoo K11 – (South Korea)
- Advanced Individual Combat Weapon – (Australia)
- PAPOP – (France)
- QLZ-04 – (China)
References
edit- ^ a b "PLA infantrymen now have powerful rifles, but still lag US". Asia Times. January 22, 2018. Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Weapons: Being First Is Often The Worst". www.strategypage.com. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023.
- ^ "QTS-11式单兵综合作战系统_毫米突击步枪". www.sohu.com. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
- ^ "Chinese Commandos Deploy with QTS-11 Integrated Combat System". The Firearm Blog. 15 March 2018. Archived from the original on March 4, 2023.
- ^ Johnson, Steve (23 February 2011). "China's OICW: Type 05 Strategy Rifle (ZH-05 5.8mm + 20mm)". www.thefirearmblog.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2023.
- ^ a b "Weapons: China Builds A Lighter OICW". 2022-05-21. Archived from the original on 2022-05-21. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
- ^ a b "QTS-11式单兵综合武器系统 ——〖枪炮世界〗". pewpewpew.work. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
- ^ "Chinese Commandos Deploy with QTS-11 Integrated Combat System -". The Firearm Blog. 2018-03-15. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
- ^ Tarantola, Andrew (22 December 2014). "China's Laser-Guided Grenade Launchers Are Deadly from Half a Mile". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on March 4, 2023.
- ^ ARG. "ZH-05 Assault Rifle with Integrated Grenade Launcher – Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2023.
- ^ "Russian Website shows New Chinese ZH-05 Assault Rifle / Grenade Launcher :: Guns.com". 2021-03-04. Archived from the original on 2021-03-04. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
- ^ "China; Army's new ZH-05 assault rifle". 2014-03-17. Archived from the original on 2014-03-17. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
- ^ "ZH-05 – Modern Firearms". Maxim Popenker. 20 August 2015. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023.