WZ-551

Basic version of WZ-551 called Type 90 first appeared on the National Day of the People's Republic of China parade in 1984. During its service, it was discovered that the vehicle was underpowered and the cross country capability at high altitude terrain was not enough to meet the requirement. As a result, the planned 4 x 4 and 8 x 8 variants were canceled, and resources were concentrate on the improvement effort. However, the planned export version designated as ZSL-90 (also the industrial designation) was continued, and the vehicle was used as chassis for a variety weaponry platforms, such as command vehicle, ATGW carrier, self-propelled AAA, and ambulance.

The most distinct visual difference between Type 90 and its successor Type 92 is that for Type 90, the distance between the first pair and the second pair of wheels is greater than the distance between the second pair and the third pair of wheels, while for Type 92, the distance is the same for all. Despite being used as a common chassis for many different platforms, the total number of vehicles of all types entering Chinese service is small due to its inherent problem, and with the exception of the basic APC version, no other versions of ZSL-90 is known to be exported due to the same reason.

Years later, NGV-1 is the successor of Type 90. It was discovered that the cross country mobility was not the only thing that needed to be improved for WZ-551, firepower was also in need for improvement. The original Chinese manually operated 25-mm gun initially mounted on WZ-551 proved to be incapable of penetrating the armor plate of most of Soviet armored vehicles, and a more powerful small caliber gun that was able to defeat Soviet armor was needed, and China turned to west for help because its own technologies and industrial capabilities back in the 1980s could not fill the need in the required time.

A deal was made with French firm GIAT to incorporate a GIAT 25-mm autocannon as the primary weapon for W-Z551 and the work on the redesign of WZ-551 begun in China even before the French gun was delivered. Due to the urgent need to meet the schedule, the GIAT 25-mm autocannon was airlifted to China, as opposed to delivery via cargo ships, the usual practice at the time. The development was completed and received state certification in October 1988, and the new vehicle was named as NGV-1, with N for Norinco, G for GIAT and V for vehicle. The remotely operated 25-mm autocannon was eventually reverse engineered in China after France withdrew from the program after 1989, and used to upgrade Type 92, another development of WZ-551.

The redesigned ZSL-92 or Type 92 solved the problems of its predecessor Type 90 and was first revealed to the public in 1986, and entered Chinese service on larger scale than its predecessor. Just like Type 90, Type 92 is also used as a common chassis for many different weaponry platforms, such as command vehicle, ATGW carrier, self-propelled AAA, and ambulance. Additionally, the canceled 4 x 4 and 8 x 8 versions were realized in Type 92 program as WZ550 and WZ552. The industrial designation VN2A is also used for the export version of Type 92, following earlier practice. The chassis of Type 92 comes in three variations:

• the 4X4 APC looks like the VAB, used mostly by the Chinese police, but also used as self-propelled SAM chassis.
• the 6X6 APC or MICV. This was the baseline and also the first of the series.
• the 8x8 variant

In 2005, another mobile land based air defense variant of TY-90 was revealed to the Chinese public, named as YT ADS, short for Yi-Tian (倚天, meaning leaning on the sky) Air Defense System. YT ADS is a development of earlier LS ADS designed to specifically address the shortcomings of the latter, namely, the insufficient armor protection, lack of amphibious capability and radar. Like its predecessor LS ADS, the system is also developed by Norinco.

Weaponry of YT ADS is similar to that of earlier LS ADS, with the missile configuration remains the same as that of LS ADS, but additionally, there is an extra 12.7 mm heavy machine gun and 3 smoke grenade dischargers as secondary armament for added protection. WZ-551 is utilized as the chassis of the YT ADS, giving the system amphibious capability and added protection. Additionally, a light solid state 3-D passive phased array radar is added to the fire control system, just above the original electro-optical fire control system, providing the ADS with greater surveillance range. The radar can be fold down for traveling and transportation.

Specifications:

• Maximum target altitude: 4 km
• Minimum target altitude: 15 meter
• Maximum target range: 6 km
• Minimum target range: 300 meter
• Maximum target speed: > 400 meter / second
• Maximum radar searching range: >20 km
• Maximum radar tracking range: 10 – 12 km
• System reaction time: 6 – 8 seconds

A Chinese HJ-9 anti-tank missile system mounted on a WZ550 4x4 vehicle. On display at the "Our Troops Towards The Sky" exhibition in Beijing in 2007

Type 92A (ZSL-92A)

Type 92B (ZSL-92B) of the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison

Type 90

Original prototype.

NVG-1

Original prototype with a French GIAT 25-mm autocannon equipped.

Type 92 (WZ-551)

Mass production version.

WZ-550

4x4 mass production version.

WZ-550 AT

Four HJ-9 launchers, laser designator and thermal-tracking sight are mounted on top of the WZ-550.

PTL-02

Debut in 2001. PTL-02 is a self-propelled assault gun based on the WZ-551 chassis. Equipped with the Type 86 100mm high velocity smoothbore cannon with a muzzle brake.[8][9]

PLL-05

Debut in 2001. PLL-05 is a self-propelled 120mm gun-mortar based on the WZ-551.[9]

Type 92B (WZ-551B)

This was an upgraded amphibious armored personnel carrier with improved firepower, maneuverability, and reliability.[9]

Type 92 Yitian

Air defense upgrade with TY-90 anti-air missile launchers. Equipped with radar and thermal-tracking sight. Chinese equivalent of American AN/TWQ-1 Avenger.

VN2

Upgraded export variant with 30mm cannon. The VN2C is a mine-resistant variant equipped with an UW4 30 mm remote weapons station.[10][11]

CS/VN9

6x6 armored personnel carrier with a remotely-operated 30 mm autocannon.[10][12]

WMA301 Assaulter

derivative of the PTL-02 with a 105 mm NATO-compatible gun[8]