Type 56 (4x14.5 mm) - Chinese version of the Soviet anti-aircraft machine gun ZPU-4.
The Chinese version has been in production since 1956. The weapon was exported in large numbers to North Vietnam, where it caused great damage to American helicopters during the war.
This weapon was also used by Iraqi forces in Operation Desert Storm in 1990-1991.
The four-barrel machine gun uses a four-wheeled chassis similar to the original ZPU-4 chassis.
The weapon is used in the PLA's anti-aircraft motorized regiments. Due to the muzzle velocity (nearly 1000 m/s) and the weight of the round, it is also used against lightly armoured targets (the round can penetrate 32 mm steel armour).
The Type 56 (4x14.5) is gradually being replaced by more effective 25 mm calibre weapon systems and portable anti-aircraft missile sets.
Takticko-technické údaje:
Caliber: 14.5 mm
Number of barrels: 4
Overall length:
Barrel length: 1342 mm
Combat weight: 2020 kg
Single barrel weight: 19.5 kg
Attack speed: 980~995 m/s
Cadence:(Maximum) 2,400 r/min; (Average) 600 r/min
Range: 2,000 m (1,000 m against ground targets)
Magazine capacity: 2 X 150 rounds
Ammunition: Type 56, 14.5 X 114 mm
The Chinese version has been in production since 1956. The weapon was exported in large numbers to North Vietnam, where it caused great damage to American helicopters during the war.
This weapon was also used by Iraqi forces in Operation Desert Storm in 1990-1991.
The four-barrel machine gun uses a four-wheeled chassis similar to the original ZPU-4 chassis.
The weapon is used in the PLA's anti-aircraft motorized regiments. Due to the muzzle velocity (nearly 1000 m/s) and the weight of the round, it is also used against lightly armoured targets (the round can penetrate 32 mm steel armour).
The Type 56 (4x14.5) is gradually being replaced by more effective 25 mm calibre weapon systems and portable anti-aircraft missile sets.
Takticko-technické údaje:
Caliber: 14.5 mm
Number of barrels: 4
Overall length:
Barrel length: 1342 mm
Combat weight: 2020 kg
Single barrel weight: 19.5 kg
Attack speed: 980~995 m/s
Cadence:(Maximum) 2,400 r/min; (Average) 600 r/min
Range: 2,000 m (1,000 m against ground targets)
Magazine capacity: 2 X 150 rounds
Ammunition: Type 56, 14.5 X 114 mm
