35x32mm Type 87
Overview
35mm Type 87
High velocity 35mm DFS87 HE-Fragmentation grenade.
Source: www.cat-uxo.com -
© Copyright lies with original owner
Description
Introduction
The 35mm Type 87 is a family of launched grenades developed in China. Experimental grenade launchers were developed both in the Soviet 30mm and Western 40mm calibers. Due to a desire for both firepower and portability an indigenous 35mm caliber was developed. The Type 87 designation is derived from the experimental W87 automatic grenade launcher.
Design
The 35mm Type 87 is a range of high velocity grenades with various warhead types available. They are spin stabilized and have a conventional layout with the propellant in the base, the warhead in the middle and the fuse in the pointed nose. The casing is rather short and is semi-rimmed. The rounds are used in 6, 9, 12 or 15 round drums or in belts in the QLZ87. The QLZ04 uses belts for these grenades.
Firepower
Regarding range and accuracy the Type 87 35mm grenades are roughly similar to the 30mm Soviet rounds and inferior to 40mm NATO rounds. The 35mm grenades are launched at roughly 200 m/s and have a maximum range of 1.75 km. The standard anti-personnel grenade has a claimed fragmentation range of up to 11 m. The anti-armor grenade pierces 80 mm steel at no angle or 35 mm at 60 degrees. The destructive values compare quite well to standard Western 40mm high velocity grenades since they are not dual purpose rounds, meaning the weapon has to be reloaded before engaging a different type of target.
Users
The 35mm rounds are most commonly used in the magazine fed QLZ-87 grenade launcher. The QLZ-87 is widely used by Chinese forces and has been exported to a small number of nations. Several types of launchers have been derived from the QLZ-87 but their actual production status remains unknown. The QLZ-04 is a belt fed automatic grenade launcher which also utilizes the Type 87 35mm grenades.
Variants
35mm Type 87
Trays of high velocity 35mm DFS87 HE-Fragmentation grenades.
Source: Chinese internet -
© Copyright lies with original owner
List of Type 87 grenade types
Details
Platforms
QLZ87
The QLZ87 was the first weapon to use the 35mm Type 87 range of grenades.
QLZ04
The QLZ04 is a belt fed automatic grenade launcher that fires the 35mm Type 87 grenade.