The flamethrower, from the first actual combat use of the Type 58 to the outstanding performance of the Type 74 in the Vietnam War, and now to the highly modernized and improved Type 02, every step of the evolution is full of stories of blood and fire. This is not only the history of the evolution of a weapon, but also a microcosm of the history of warfare. Type 02 has been carefully adjusted in terms of design to greatly reduce weight, optimize the operation process, and even in special situations, making it a decisive force in the special operations of modern warfare.
The birth and characteristics of the Type 58 flamethrower
In 1958, China's work on copying the Soviet LPO-50 flamethrower reached its peak, and the Type 58 flamethrower was successfully developed. The design and performance of this new flamethrower closely followed the blueprint of its prototype LPO-50, ensuring a high degree of consistency with the Soviet original. In terms of technical selection, the Type 58 specially adopts the gunpowder gas launch method, which makes the performance of the equipment on the battlefield significantly ahead of the traditional gas-fired flamethrower in terms of range and accuracy.
The main structure of the flamethrower consists of a long barrel made of metal and attached fuel tanks, inside which are equipped with a sophisticated firing mechanism to control the rate and direction of fuel injection. The design of the Type 58 included three separate fuel tanks, each of which could be refilled independently, and a complete launch would deplete one tank of fuel. In real combat, this design allows the operator to release a large amount of fire in a short period of time to clear enemy obstacles or fortifications, which is ideal for quickly striking enemy positions in a surprise attack.
However, the single-use characteristics of each fuel tank also introduce certain limitations. Once the injection began, the process could not be interrupted until the tank was completely exhausted. This means that the operator needs to maintain a relatively fixed position during the launch, which is often exposed to enemy fire on the battlefield. In addition, the weight and volume of each fuel tank requires operators to compromise on mobility and flexibility, especially in complex or cramped battlefield environments.
From a technical point of view, the manufacture of the Type 58 flamethrower also reflects a high degree of process refinement. The fuel tank is made of a special alloy material that not only withstands the thermal shock of high-pressure combustion, but also ensures that there is no leakage under extreme conditions. In the launch mechanism, the ignition device used to ignite the fuel must be very reliable and able to start quickly in all climatic conditions. In addition, the design of the nozzle is carefully calculated to ensure that the flamethrower can reach the longest effective range while remaining stable.
Application in the war of self-defense and counterattack against India
In the 1962 self-defense counterattack against India, the Type 58 flamethrower, as a new weapon system of our army, was widely used on the battlefield for the first time. The weapon system played a key role in countering the impregnable bunkers erected by the Indian army. In several battle sequences, the use of Type 58 flamethrowers directly led to the destruction of 81 enemy pillboxes, which effectively reduced the pressure on our troops at the front and increased the speed and efficiency of offensive operations.
In practice, the operation process of the Type 58 flamethrower shows the subtlety of its design. At the beginning of the battle, the operating soldier quickly enters the predetermined position, and as soon as the target is in range, the ejector is quickly activated. The power of the flames can quickly engulf the target area, causing the personnel and materials in the enemy bunker to be instantly engulfed in a sea of fire. Due to the continuous injection characteristics of the flamethrower, once fired, the contents of the entire fuel tank will be sprayed at one time, this design ensures the concentration and coherence of fire, and greatly increases the success rate of attacking fortifications.
However, the Type 58 flamethrower also showed a number of problems in use. Its weight of 23 kg is no small challenge for infantry, especially in the complex highland terrain, which is extremely inconvenient for soldiers to travel and maneuver with such heavy equipment. In addition to its weight, the Type 58 has a range of only 50 meters, which means that the user must be close to the enemy's position at very close range to be effective, which often means high risk and high casualty rates in actual combat.
In battle, this limitation of range made it necessary for the operating soldier to often move forward under the cover of dense enemy fire in order to achieve an effective jet range. This not only increases the complexity of the battle, but also puts forward higher requirements for the physical fitness and tactical skills of the soldiers. Soldiers must rely on cover such as terrain and smoke when approaching their targets through open areas to avoid being exposed to enemy fire without adequate cover.
After the battle, according to the battlefield feedback and the report of the logistics support department, the logistical burden and the limitation of tactical application caused by the limitation of equipment weight and range were clearly felt. Equipment maintenance and refueling are compounded by the special needs of equipment. The single-use nature of each fuel tank, while helping to ensure a continuous output of firepower, also means that a lot of material preparation and logistics are required.
Improvements & Upgrades
The experience of the self-defense counterattack against India has provided valuable first-hand information for the Chinese military industry, especially about the actual combat performance and operational difficulties of the Type 58 flamethrower. Feedback noted that while the Type 58 had significant tactical advantages in close combat, its weight and operational complexity put a significant burden on soldiers in actual combat. Therefore, the team of military designers embarked on a series of targeted technical improvements.
First, the design team redesigned the overall structure of the flamethrower, with the aim of reducing the weight of the equipment. They used lighter materials, such as high-strength lightweight alloys, to replace the original heavy metal components. In addition to this, the design of the fuel tank has also been optimized, reducing the thickness and overall weight of the container by improving the storage and delivery system of the fuel, but maintaining sufficient structural strength to withstand the pressures of battlefield use. These improvements reduced the overall weight of the Type 74 flamethrower to 20 kg, a significant reduction over the Type 58.
The simplification of the operating process is also a major breakthrough in the 74-style design. By reconfiguring the internal machinery and control system, the designers reduced the steps and operational complexity required when operating. The new ejector features a more intuitive control interface that allows the operator to adjust and activate fire more quickly. In addition, to solve the problem of non-interruption during the injection, the new design introduces a more flexible fuel control system, which allows the operator to adjust the fire output according to the battlefield situation, without worrying about exhausting the entire fuel tank at once.
Despite the significant progress made in weight and ease of operation of the Type 74 flamethrower, the new design was not without its drawbacks. Due to the demand for range and power, the new ejector still needs to maintain a large recoil, which puts forward higher requirements for the physical strength and stability of the operating soldiers. The increased recoil means that the operator needs more physical strength and skill to control the stability of the rig when using it, especially when spraying continuously. In addition, although the operational process is simplified, the soldiers still need to be fully trained for quick and effective use in combat.
In response to these challenges, the military-industrial sector, in cooperation with the training department, has developed a set of specialized training procedures to ensure that soldiers are proficient in the operation of the new flamethrower. These trainings include not only physical training to enhance soldiers' physical strength and endurance, but also operational drills in simulated battlefield environments to improve soldiers' ability and reaction speed in the use of Type 74 flamethrowers in complex environments.
Thus, although the Type 74 flamethrower has been significantly technically optimized to make the equipment lighter and easier to handle, it still requires a high level of skill and physical strength on the part of the operating soldier.
The performance of Type 74 in the self-defense counterattack against Vietnam
The 1979 self-defense counterattack against Vietnam provided a broad battlefield application stage for the Type 74 flamethrower. The Type 74 flamethrower was particularly effective in this campaign, and its performance in a dense and complex battlefield environment reaffirmed its tactical value. In this conflict, the Type 74 was widely deployed on the front lines, especially in the fortification of enemy fortifications and cantonment stations, showing its unrivaled tactical superiority.
In this war, the use of Type 74 flamethrowers was mainly focused on the destruction of Vietnamese fortifications. Since Vietnam's fortifications were permanently located in inaccessible terrain, such as dense forests and mountainous areas, traditional heavy firepower weapons were difficult to function. However, flamethrowers, due to their unique tactical properties, are able to quickly clear obstacles in these complex terrains, destroying enemy pillboxes and makeshift positions. The improvements to the Type 74 made the operation more rapid and efficient, and the range, while still limited to a short distance, was sufficient to cover most of the enemy's front-line fortifications.
In specific operations, the use of the Type 74 flamethrower involved a careful tactical arrangement. Due to its high recoil, operators are often deployed in small group collaboration to ensure a stable and accurate launch. The battle team will approach the target under cover, using factors such as terrain and night to hide the trajectory of movement. As soon as it gets close to the target, the flamethrower quickly activates to deliver a devastating blow to enemy fortifications. Due to the improvement of fuel, the continuous time and intensity of the flame spray have increased, making it enough for a single shot to cause great damage.
In addition, the effect of the flamethrower is not limited to direct destruction. In dense forests and other combustible environments, the use of flames can also cause a wider range of fire, forcing enemy forces to retreat from their defensive positions, thereby weakening their combat effectiveness. This tactic was especially effective against the Vietnam War, where the Vietnamese army often used difficult terrain for defense.
As the battle progressed, the Type 74 flamethrower destroyed a total of 1,200 enemy firing points and cantonment stations, a figure that largely demonstrated its destructive power and tactical position on the battlefield. This remarkable achievement also provides new evidence of the role of flamethrowers in modern warfare, even in highly mechanized and modern conditions of warfare, man-portable flamethrowers can still play their unique tactical role.
The transition to modernization and the birth of the Type 02 flamethrower
With the acceleration of the modernization process of the Chinese military at the beginning of the 21st century, including mechanization and informatization, the role and demand of traditional man-portable flamethrowers in conventional combat units have been significantly reduced. This change is due to the rapid changes in the modern warfare environment, in which weapon systems with high precision, long range and high mobility are increasingly valued. Against this background, the Type 02 flamethrower, introduced in 2002, although technologically advanced, was not widely equipped in the troops.
The design and development of the Type 02 flamethrower represents a series of technological innovations over the previous model. The new injector enhances operational performance and tactical flexibility while maintaining the traditional role of flamethrowers. The design specifically takes into account the diverse needs of the modern battlefield, including improved fuel systems, reduced environmental dependency, and improved safety of use. What's more, the new injector is more portable and easy to operate, making it more effective for rapid deployment and immediate response.
However, despite the technical superiority, the Type 02 flamethrower was not mass-adopted throughout the armed forces. This is mainly due to the fact that with the overall improvement of the army's equipment, the tactical position of individual flamethrowers on the conventional battlefield has been greatly reduced. The modern battlefield relies more on long-range, precision strike capabilities and integrated information system support, rather than traditional melee or environment-specific firepower support.
As a result, the Type 02 flamethrower is primarily positioned as special operations equipment. Flamethrowers can still play a unique role in certain tactical situations, such as urban battles, tunnel battles, or skirmishes in forested areas. Especially when it comes to quickly clearing obstacles or destroying enemy fortifications, its powerful instant firepower can provide a significant tactical advantage. For example, when carrying out anti-terrorist operations or assaulting specific targets, the Type 02 can destroy enemy bunkers or clear obstacles in a very short time, supporting other actions of the troops.
In addition, for special operations forces, this type of equipment can provide the necessary fire support in extreme conditions. In jungle or mountainous environments, traditional fire support may be limited, and the use of flamethrowers can effectively solve the problem of obstruction of line of sight and insufficient firepower. The application of Type 02 thus retains its tactical value and necessity in certain situations.
A brief history of the development of portable flamethrower in hellfire[J].International Outlook,2005(24):76-81