NORINCO CS / VN3C

History of the NORINCO CS/VN3C

The Chinese Airborne Forces have a new vehicle called the CS/VN3C, made by NORINCO. It's a small, 4-wheel drive vehicle that can be dropped from the air into battle areas. Airborne forces are specialized troops who are dropped into combat from aircraft and have to fight with what they bring with them. They've been important in past wars like World War II, and continue to be important today.

The CS/VN3C helps Chinese Airborne Forces by being small and light, so many of them can be transported by air. It has four wheels and can drive well off-road. It has a strong engine and is quite flexible for different missions. There is space for people to sit in the front, and the back part of the vehicle can be changed for different uses.

The vehicle typically carries a heavy machine gun, and there's a version that has an automatic cannon for fighting against lightly armored vehicles. The tires are made in a way that they can still run even if they are punctured, and they are placed to make sure the vehicle is balanced. The windows are bulletproof, but the protection is limited because the focus is on making the vehicle fast and functional. It can also operate at night with night vision equipment.

An interesting feature is that with some setup, it can cross water using a water jet.

The CS/VN3C was introduced in May 2020 as part of China's efforts to improve its military capabilities. It was a new concept because it uses wheels, while previously most similar vehicles used tracks.

NORINCO, which is a state-owned company, designed and makes these vehicles. They make other military equipment too, like tanks and artillery.

Together with another vehicle called the ZBD-03, the CS/VN3C forms a powerful combination for the Chinese Airborne Forces. The ZBD-03 has features like anti-tank missiles which the CS/VN3C doesn't have. This combination allows the airborne troops to capture and hold important areas until the rest of the army gets there.

Specification

Fundamentals

Year of Service: 2020

Origins: China

Crew: 3

Production: 100

Manufacturer: China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) China

Carrier: China

Roles

Amphibious Assault

Cross open water under your own power with or without preparation.

Armored vehicles

Designed, usually lightweight, to provide on-road/off-road capability for reconnaissance or general security roles.

Recon

Can perform reconnaissance/reconnaissance missions to assess threat levels, enemy strength, etc. - usually due to lightweight construction.

Special designs developed to fulfill one or more equally special battlefield roles.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 15.6 feet (4.75m)

Width: 6.6 feet (2m)

Height: 6 feet (1.83m)

Weight: 12,125 lbs (5,500 kg)

Tonnage: 6.1 ton

Power and Performance

Engine: A conventional 4x4 is powered by a turbo diesel engine of unknown make, model and power.

Speed: 55.9 km/h (90.0 km/h)

Area: 341. 8 miles (550.0 km)

Weapon

Typical: 1 x 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) mounted on a trainable mount on top of the fuselage. There are 2 x 3 smoke grenade launchers on top of the fuselage.

Alternative: 1 x 30mm automatic cannon mounted in a powered turret on top of the hull. 1 x 7.62mm machine gun coaxially mounted in the turret.

There are 2 x 3 smoke grenade launchers on either side of the turret.

AMMOTION

Depends on weapon.

VARIANTS

CS/VN3C - The name of the base family.