WZ 551 APC
Description
The Type WZ 551 first appeared in 1986. This new family of vehicles will be capable of being used for a wide range of roles, which includes the basic 12.7-mm APC (6 x 6), or an ambulance (6 x 6) and even an anti-tank Vehicle (4 x 4). The vehicle is similar in appearance to the French VAB (6 x 6) but has a number of important differences as well as being longer, wider and heavier.
The Type WZ 551 has an all-welded armored hull. The vehicle is fully amphibious, being propelled through the water by two shrouded propellers mounted one each side under the rear of the vehicle. These are swung backwards when in the water. The engine compartment is to the rear of the driver's compartment. The commander and driver sit at the front of the vehicle with the commander at the right, driver to the left and the gunner behind the commander.
The WZ-551 has four firing ports in each side of the troop compartment, with a periscope mounted above in the roof of the vehicle. The first firing port in each side is for a 7.62-mm machine gun with the remaining three being for assault rifles. There is a gas extractor for each firing port.
China maintains roughly 100 WZ-523's in operation.
Features
| Length | 6.65 m |
| Width | 2.8 m |
| Height to hull top | 1.95 m |
| Height incl turret | 2.89 m |
| Top Speed | 85 km/h |
| Top Water Speed | 7 km/h |
| Weight | 15.3 tons |
| Crew IRL | 2 + 9 |
| Crew BF2 | 1 + 4 |
Weaponry
Pilot
| Primary gun (left mouse click): | 25mm cannon |
| Secondary gun (right mouse click): | LAV-25 TOW (Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided missile) turret |
| Evasive action (button X): | Smoke grenade |
Passenger
| Primary gun (left mouse click): | 7.62mm machine gun |
| Secondary gun (right mouse click): | N/A |
| Evasive action (button X): | N/A |