PGZ80
Type 80 | WZ305
Overview
Type 80
Forward view of Type 80 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun.
Source: Unknown author -
© Copyright lies with original owner
PGZ80 (new naming system)
WZ305 (industry index)
Description
Introduction
The Type 80 is a late Cold War era self-propelled anti-aircraft gun of Chinese origin. It was developed for domestic use and export sales. However, its service life would only be limited due to anti-aircraft systems without radar for detection and fire control proved way behind the curve. In the new Chinese domestic naming system the Type 80 is known as PGZ80.
Design
The Type 80 is a Chinese reverse engineered and updated Soviet ZSU-57-2. An turret identical to the ZSU-57-2 is installed on a Type 69-II tank chassis. The Type 80 can be identified by its five wheel chassis and track skirts. This chassis makes the Type 80 heavier than the lightened T-54 chassis used in the Soviet system. Chine already produced the 57mm autocannon for naval use and on towed single gun mounts. The proximity fused ammunition developed for naval use was carried over to the Type 80.
Firepower
The cyclic rate of fire is 105 to 120 rpm per gun, but its practical rate of fire is limited as it uses five round clips. The maximum effective range is 4 km and altitude is 3 km, although the slant ranges are 12 km and 8 km respectively. The performance of the Type 80 is better than the Soviet ZSU-57-2 as proximity fused ammunition is used. However, for fast moving targets the lack of detection radar and fire control radar is a serious omission.
Protection
The steel armor provides the crew with some protection from small arms fire and shells splinters. The turret has no roof and during operation the crew is partly exposed. Whereas the Soviet ZSU-57-2 has a thinner glacis plate the Type 80 retains the angled 45mm glacis plate of the Type 69 chassis. This isn't of any practical value in the area of protection, but simplifies production by not altering the existing production line. An NBC system and smoke grenade dischargers are both lacking.
Mobility
The Type 69-II chassis provides good cross country performance, but the speed is limited. A 580 hp diesel engine provides propulsion. The maximum speed is 48 km/h on roads and about 25 km/h in the field. The Type 80 is not amphibious.
Users
Only a small number of Type 80 was produced as in the 1980's such technology was already obsolete. Iraq acquired a number of Type 80 during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980's. These were paired with systems with access to radar to provide a degree of early warning. The Type 80 was at least trialed by the People's Liberation Army. There are mixed reports of a small number actually being in service. The PGZ80 designated might not even be a real PLA designation, but may only exist by applying the new Chinese naming convention to the original Type 80 designation.
Details
Media
Type 80
Left side view of Type 80 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Type 80
Rear view of Type 80 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Type 80
Type 80 on display in a museum.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Type 80
Type 80 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Type 80
Forward view of Type 80 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Type 80
Forward view of Type 80 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Type 80
Left view of Type 80 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
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The PGZ80 was based on the design of the Soviet ZSU-57-2.