QBZ-03 assault rifle
(Qīngwuqi Bùqiāng Zìdòng)
QBZ03 automatic rifle
TypeAssault rifle
Place of originChina
Service history
In service2003–present
Production history
ManufacturerNorinco
Produced2003–present
Specifications
Mass3.5 kg (7.7 lb) (unloaded)
Length950 mm (37 in) with stock extended, 725 mm (28.5 in) with stock folded
Barrel length440 mm (17 in)
Cartridge5.8×42mm DBP87
5.56×45mm NATO
ActionGas operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire700–750 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity930 m/s (3,050 ft/s)
Effective firing range500 m (1,600 ft)
Feed system30-round detachable box magazine
SightsFixed Type 56 style front sight, flip-up diopter rear sight

The QBZ-03 (Mandarin: Qīngwuqi Bùqiāng Zìdòng—"light rifle automatic") assault rifle, also known as the Type 03, is a Chinese gas operated, selective-fire assault rifle designed and developed for the 5.8×42mm DBP87 round.

Unlike the bullpup QBZ-95, the QBZ-03 is a weapon of conventional design. The weapon is designed to be easily used by soldiers already familiar with previously issued assault rifles and machine guns.

Design

The QBZ-03 has a two-piece receiver largely made up of forged aluminum alloy with the stock, pistol grip, and handguards being made of a polymer compound. Its design appears to be based on the cancelled Type 87 assault rifle, chambered in 5.8x42mm.[1] The rifle was made in conjunction with the QBZ-95 as an alternative primary weapon.[1]

The gas block has a two position regulator, one for firing standard ammunition, the other to allow the use of rifle grenades. The sights are of a hooded front sight with a flip up rear diopter sight similar to the American M16 rifle. A scope rail is available to allow the use of various optics.

The weapon has a faster rate of fire compare to QBZ-95. Operating system is similar to Type 81 assault rifle featuring rotating bolt locking and short-stroke gas piston.[2]

An export variant of the QBZ-03 also exists, first introduced in 2005 by the joint CJAIE (China Jing-An Import-Export) and Jiang-She Group Companies. The export version is chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO and feeds by STANAG magazines. The cyclic rate on the issued model is semi-automatic or fully automatic only, while the export model has an integrated three round burst mode. The type's most notable public display was by the PLA Airforce Airborne Troops during the October 1st 2009 60th Anniversary Parade. The assault rifle was also featured in the 2015 Victory Day Parade.

Upgrades

Picatinny rail

A new tactical variant of the weapon was spotted at a counter-terrorism exhibition; the tactical variant is equipped with quad-rail hand guard and is used by police and border guards.[3]

QTS-11 OICW

In February 2011, photos began to appear of a Chinese weapon called the QTS-11.[4][5][6] The QTS-11 combines the Type 03 assault rifle with a 20 mm airburst grenade launcher. This makes China the third country to develop an airburst infantry weapon, after the American XM29 Objective Individual Combat Weapon and XM25 CDTE, and the South Korean K11 DAW.

Variants

  • QBZ-03: Base model.
  • QBZ-03 Upgrade: Upgraded tactical variant, first unveiled at a 2014 anti-terrorism exhibition, with upgrades including a quad-rail handguard.[7]
  • T03: Export variant chambering 5.56x45 mm NATO and takes STANAG magazines.[8]
    • T03A: Improved variant.
  • EM3513: Semi-automatic export variant, chambering 5.56 mm.[9]
    • EM3513A: Improved variant, with rails and new stock.

Users

Non-state actors

References

  1. 1 2 "中国03式突击步枪_TYPE 03 ASSAULT RIFLE_GlobalMil-环球防务网".
  2. ↑ "Picture". Modern Firearms. 27 October 2010. Archived from the original on 26 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  3. ↑ "Chinese Small Arms from the 7th Beijing Police Equipment Expo". 13 May 2015. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  4. ↑ "Chinese missile complex QTS-11 (ZH-05)". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  5. ↑ "ZH-05 - Modern Firearms". 20 August 2015. Archived from the original on 23 November 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  6. ↑ Tarantola, Andrew. "China's Laser-Guided Grenade Launchers Are Deadly from Half a Mile". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  7. ↑ "Chinese Small Arms from the 7th Beijing Police Equipment Expo - The Firearm Blog". 13 May 2015. Archived from the original on 14 October 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  8. ↑ "QBZ-03 Assault Rifle | Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  9. ↑ "EMEI/5.6mm Semi-Automatic Rifle Model EM3513". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  10. ↑ "QBZ-03 Assault Rifle | Military-Today.com". Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  11. ↑ "China Supplies QBZ-03 Rifle to United Wa State Army". 7 May 2012. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
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