Type 84 Armoured Recovery Vehicle

The Type 84 is a second-generation armoured recovery vehicle (ARV) in service with the PLA, replacing the Type 73 ARV introduced in the early 1970s. Developed and built by China North Industries Group (CNGC), the Type 84 is a full tracked armoured vehicle used to perform battlefield rescue and recovery missions including hoisting, winching, and towing operations supporting recovery operations and evacuation of main battle tanks and other tracked armoured vehicles. The vehicle is available in the export market as W653.

The development of the second-generation ARV began in 1977, with two prototype vehicles delivered in 1980. The vehicle has been produced in small numbers since 1982 for foreign customers, using the designation W653. This variant did not enter service with the PLA. Based on the customer feedbacks on the W653, CNGC later developed an improved variant designated W653A. This variant entered the PLA service in 1984 under the designation Type 84.

Design

The basic variant W653 was built on the chassis of the Type 69-II main battle tank, while the W653A/Type 84 was built on the chassis of the Type 69-III (Type 79) main battle tank. The driver compartment is located in the left front. An infrared search light is provided for driving at night. As well as driving the vehicle, the driver is also responsible for operating the main and auxiliary winch and the spade.

Modifications on the W653A/Type 84 include a re-designed spade for the uses in frozen soil condition in northern China during winter season, a 180 litres auxiliary diesel tank, and improved driver observation window.

The main recovery winch is located in the middle of the vehicle under the crew compartment unwinds to front. It can be used independently, or in cooperation with pulleys. The auxiliary winch is located on the left fender. It is normally used to pull the cable of the main recovery winch to the vehicle to be recovered.

The hoist boom is located on top of the right side of the vehicle, with an azimuth range of 360 degree and elevation range of 60 degree. A set of towing kits is carried on the side of the crew compartment when not in use, and fitted on the rear of the vehicle when being used to tow the damaged or broken vehicle.

The crew compartment is located in the middle of the videlicet to accommodate four crew members: commander and three mechanics. A hatch is located on the top of the compartment for the commander to observe and operate the roof-mounted 12.7mm antiaircraft machine gun. A door is located on the back of the compartment for the use of other crew.

The engine compartment is located in the rear of the vehicle, with two transmissions to power the propulsions and the hydraulics system, which in turn drives the two winches, the hoist boom, and the spade.

The vehicle is powered by a NORINCO 12150L-7BW 12-cylinder, liquid-cooled diesel, providing 580 hp at 2,000 r/min. The vehicle is fitted with a mechanical planetary transmission box, and a gear box with five forward and one reverse gears. The track is metallic, with rubber padding fitted on later variants. Hydraulic shock absorbers are fitted on the first and fifth rood wheels. The hull skirt on the W653 was removed on the Type 84.

Armaments on the Type 84includes a roof-mounted Type 59 12.7mm antiaircraft machine gun (AAMG) with 500 rounds. The vehicle also carries a 7.62mm assault rifle with 300 rounds, and 20 grenades for self-defence.

Specifications

Chassis: Type 69-II (W653); Type 70 (Type 84/WZ653A)
Crew: 5 (Commander, driver, and three mechanics)
Combat weight: 38 tonnes
Dimensions: Length: 7.300m; Width: 3.300m (with hull skirt) or 3.270m (without hull skirt); Height: 2.340m (without machine gun) or 3.000m (with machine gun)
Max speed: 50km/h
Average speed: 27~30km/h (on road); or 22~25km/h (off road)
Max fuel capacity: 1,041 litres (Type 84); 861 litres (W653)
Max range: 450km (Type 84); 370 km (W653)
Fording: 1.4m
Trench crossing: 2.7m
Max gradient: 58%
Engine: 580hp 12150L-7BW
Power/weight ratio: 11.2 kW/t
Transmission: Mechanical, planetary
Track: Metallic
Suspension: Torsion bar
Radio: 889 receive/transmit radio; 130 m telephone
NBC protection: No
Night vision: Infrared 60~90 m
Fire suppression: Automatic and semi-automatic
Main recovery winch capacity: 32~35 tonnes (without pulley); or 64~70 tonnes (with pulley)
Winch cable length: 130m (main winch); or 260m (auxiliary winch)
Boom capacity: 20 tonnes
Boom max lift height: 6m
Boom elevation range: 0~60 degree
Boom azimuth range: 360 degree
Max towing capacity: 25 tonnes
Weapon: One 12.7mm Type 69 antiaircraft machine gun, 500 rounds

Last update: 20 February 2009