China
YW 531 Armored Personnel Carrier
Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide

YW 531A
GENERAL DATA
 YW 531A
Alternative DesignationsType 63, North Korean M1967
Country of OriginChina
RoleArmored personnel carrier
Date Of IntroductionLate 1960s
Crew4 + 10 passengers
Combat Weight13.9 tons (12.60 mt)
Ground Pressure6.26 psi (0.44 kg/cm²)
Length, Overall 17.97 ft (5.476 m)
Width, Overall 9.77 ft (2.978 m)
Height, Overall 9.35 ft (2.85 m)
Height, Hull Top 6.19 ft (1.887 m)
Ground Clearance17.7 in (450 mm)
PERFORMANCE
 YW 531A
Engine320 hp (239 kw) 4-cycle, turbocharged V-8 aircooled diesel
Range311 miles (500 km)
Road Speed40 mph (65 km/h)
Cross Country Speed?
Swim Speed3.7 mph (6 km/h)
Fording DepthAmphibious
Trench Crossing6.6 ft (2 m)
Vertical Wall Climb2 ft (0.6 m)
PROTECTION
 YW 531A
ArmorFront glacis: 0.55 in (14 mm)
Applique ArmorN/A
Explosive Reactive ArmorN/A
Active Protective SystemN/A
NBC Protection SystemN/A
Smoke EquipmentN/A
ARMAMENT
YW 531A
Type Mount Typical Ammo Load
12.7mm Type 54 heavy machine gun Belt feed 1,120.
APDS, API, API-T, HE-T, HEI
Firing ports: 1 on each side, and 1 in the rear
FIRE CONTROL
 YW 531A
Fire Control SystemN/A
Main Gun StabilizationN/A
RangefinderN/A
Infrared SearchlightN/A

NOTES

The official Chinese designation for this vehicle is the Type 63 but within the Chinese Army it is referred to as the Type 531. The Australian Army has reported that the Type YW 531 has excellent cross country mobility.

The Type YW 531 has an all-welded hull and is fully amphibious, being propelled through the water by its tracks. The driver and commander sit at the front of the vehicle with the driver on the left and the commander on the right. The loader sits behind the driver and the gunner's position is to the rear of the vehicle in the roof. The engine compartment is behind the commander.

The Type 54 machine gun is a Chinese copy of the Russian 12.7mm M1938/46 DShKM.

YW 531A

VARIANTS

M1973
North Korean variant, also known as VTT-323, has a turret with twin 14.5mm guns. Some versions have Susong-Po (AT-3/SAGGER variant) ATGM launcher and SA-7/16 manportable SAMs.
Type 54-1
Self-propelled 122mm open-mount howitzer.
Type 70
Variant is a 130mm (19-tube) multiple rocket launcher. Powered by a model 6150L inline, 6-cylinder, 4-cycle, water-cooled 260 horsepower diesel engine.
Type YW 304
Self-propelled 82mm mortar.
Type YW 381
Self-propelled 120mm mortar.
YW 750
Ambulance with a similar box compartment
YW 531C
This variant has a rectangular, three-sided open-topped shield around the gun, and better vision ports and ventilation. The C, D and E variants differ in intercom sets and firing ports.
Type WZ 701
Command post variant. Crew of 3 plus 5 passengers. Powered by a model 6150L inline, 6-cylinder, 4-cycle, water-cooled 260 horsepower diesel engine. Armament is a 7.62mm MG.
Type YW 701
Command post variant developed for export. Has a box compartment over rear half of vehicle, and 5 radios. Powered by same 320 horsepower diesel engine as the APC version. Armament is a 12.7mm MG.

Last updated:  25-OCT-2007: Added more data.
Copyright ©2004-2007 Gary W. Cooke
To the best of my knowledge all military data and images presented in these pages are UNCLASSIFIED, NON-SENSITIVE, and approved for public release.

Sources:
IN0534 Vehicle Recognition (Threat Armor), Edition D.
OPFOR Worldwide Equipment Guide.
"Field Artillery Journal", January-February 1987.