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QTS-11
QTS-11
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Key Information

The Type 11 (Chinese: 11式单兵综合作战系统; pinyin: 11 Shì dānbīng zònghé zuòzhàn xìtǒng; lit. 'Type 11 individual integrated combat system'), designated as QTS-11,[3] is an air burst grenade launcher integrated with the QBZ-03 assault rifle in service with the Chinese military since 2015.[4][2]

Reporting on the weapon as early as February 2011 initially identified the weapon as the ZH-05.[5]

Unlike other nations' airburst weapons, the QTS-11 has a single-shot grenade launcher that requires each round to be manually loaded and reloaded after every firing, while the others are magazine fed.[6] Initial PLA trials determined that a single-shot grenade launcher would make it easier to change the type of munitions fired.

History

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Appearance

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The first pictures of the supposed rifles were shown as prototypes in 2006 and 2008.[7]

Deployment

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In early 2018, Chinese state media announced the introduction of the weapon with the Sky Wolf Commando Unit, a PLA Special Operations Forces unit from the Western Theater Command.[1] It was also reported to be issued with the 76th Special Operations Brigade, 76th Group Army.[8]

The QTS-11 was reportedly used overseas during anti-pirate operations in the Gulf of Aden.[7]

Design

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The QTS-11 system combines the QBZ-03 assault rifle with a 20 mm airburst grenade launcher and weighs between 5–7 kg (11–15 lb) when fully loaded.[9] It can use magazines from the QBZ-95 and the QBZ-03.[10]

The primary weapon of the system is the 20 mm grenade launcher, with the 5.8 mm rifle for secondary use.[11] Grenades are pre-programmed through electronic sight with fire control system and loaded manually through bolt-action. Five types of grenade rounds available: impact detonation, airburst, armor-piercing, improved fragmentation and shotgun-type rounds.[6] The U.S. encountered problems with the lethality of small 20 mm grenades during OICW development, resulting in a switch to larger 25 mm grenades for the XM25. The PLA claims their grenades have less electronics in them to carry more explosives and fragments to cause adequate wounding capability. The grenades are reportedly capable of a 7.7 m (25 ft) damage radius and an 800 m (0.50 mi) range with 220 m/s muzzle velocity.

It is 93 cm long and weighs 4.27 kg.[12]

The QTS-11 can be equipped with an additional eyepiece device mounted on the helmet allowing soldiers to shoot around corners. The video image will be streaming from the electronic sight to the single-eye goggle. The fire-control system can also be turned off for manual sighting without the airburst programming capability.[2]

The PLA does not have multi-purpose munitions but instead has different munitions types, which reduce the electronics needed and increase the firepower of the munition. Additionally, only the laser range finder and fire control system are integrated with the weapon, leaving optics optional and modular. These changes make it the lightest, and least capable, of all the airburst weapons in its base configuration.

Weapon Empty Weight Loaded Weight Rifle ammunition Grenade ammunition Cost
QTS11 4.27 kg (9.4 lb) (less optics) Up to 7 kg (15 lb) 30 rounds 5.8x42 mm 1 round 20x28B mm Not known
XM29 6.8 kg (15 lb) 8.2 kg (18 lb) 30 rounds 5.56x45 mm 5 rounds 20×28mm mm US$12,000
XM25 5.45 kg (12 lbs) 6.35 kg (14.0 lb) none 5 rounds 25×40mm mm US$25,000-$35,000
K11 6.1 kg (13 lb) 7.2 kg (16 lb) 30 rounds 5.56x45 mm 5 rounds 20×30mm mm US$14,000

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References

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QTS-11

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from Grokipedia
The QTS-11 is an individual integrated combat system developed for the (PLA) of , combining a with a , manually operated 20mm and advanced electro-optical sighting system. This hybrid weapon, also known as the ZH-05, draws inspiration from international (OICW) programs such as the U.S. XM-29 and South Korea's K-11, aiming to provide with enhanced firepower against both personnel and light armored targets through programmable airburst munitions. The rifle component is based on the platform, featuring a gas-operated mechanism and 30-round magazines, while the grenade launcher supports 20mm rounds including high-explosive airburst, armor-piercing, and fragmentation types, with a reported lethal radius of up to 7 meters for shrapnel effects. Key features include an integrated with , ballistic computer, and grenade programming capability, enabling precise detonation at ranges up to 800 meters, as well as an optional high-definition camera for "around-the-corner" shooting via helmet-mounted displays. The overall system weighs approximately 5 kg unloaded, with a total length of 950 mm, though its bulk and weight have raised concerns about practicality in prolonged field use, similar to challenges faced by comparable foreign designs. Development of the QTS-11 began in the early as part of China's push toward "informatized warfare," with prototypes evolving from earlier magazine-fed concepts to the current single-shot configuration to reduce weight and complexity. It entered limited deployment around 2018, primarily equipping units such as the Sky Wolf Commandos in the and a battalion in the 112th Division, though full-scale adoption remains unclear due to ongoing evaluations of its reliability and cost-effectiveness.

Development

Origins and Requirements

The QTS-11 originated from China's efforts to modernize its infantry weaponry in the late 1990s, drawing inspiration from Western advanced soldier systems such as the U.S. program and the Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) initiative. These foreign concepts emphasized integrating firearms with smart munitions and electronics to boost individual lethality, prompting the (PLA) to pursue similar capabilities amid rapid military reforms. By the early 2000s, Chinese designers began developing prototypes that combined assault rifles with grenade launchers, aiming to address perceived gaps in close-quarters and suppressive fire effectiveness compared to global peers. Key PLA requirements for the system focused on creating a lightweight, modular weapon that enhanced squad-level firepower without overburdening soldiers. The military specified an integrated design pairing a 5.8mm with a 20mm grenade launcher, prioritizing bolt-action loading over magazine-fed variants to allow flexible use of diverse types, including airburst, armor-piercing, and fragmentation rounds. This addressed needs for improved urban combat performance, where traditional hand grenades proved insufficient, and aimed to approximate the effects of light mortars at ranges up to 800 meters while maintaining an unloaded weight under 5 kg. Electronic integration, such as rangefinders and ballistic computers for programming grenades, was mandated to enable precise "beyond line-of-sight" engagements. These requirements stemmed from PLA operational analyses emphasizing enhanced tactical options in modern warfare, particularly against fortified positions or in asymmetric conflicts. Early trials in the mid-2000s refined the design based on feedback for reduced weight and simplified mechanics, ensuring compatibility with the existing QBZ-03 rifle platform while incorporating helmet-display video feeds for corner-shooting. The system's development aligned with broader PLA goals for networked infantry under the "informatization" doctrine, though initial prototypes faced challenges in balancing firepower with portability.

Prototypes and Testing

The development of the QTS-11, initially designated as the ZH-05, began in the mid-2000s as China's response to advanced individual combat systems like the U.S. and South Korea's K11. Early prototypes integrated a based on the platform with a 20mm capable of firing programmable airburst munitions. These initial designs featured magazine-fed grenade launchers, but testing revealed significant challenges, including excessive weight—approaching 6 kg unloaded—and reliability issues with the electronic fire control systems, such as the and ballistic computer. To address these concerns, subsequent prototypes shifted to a , bolt-action configuration, reducing overall mass to approximately 5 kg unloaded while maintaining modularity for and integrated soldier systems. Field testing, conducted primarily with (PLA) special operations units, emphasized the weapon's performance in urban and close-quarters scenarios. Results demonstrated the 20mm grenades' high lethality, with a killing radius of about 7 meters for airburst rounds and effective ranges up to 800 meters, outperforming traditional hand grenades in suppression and precision. However, the high cost of programmable ammunition and the system's bulkiness limited broader adoption during this phase. By the mid-2010s, refined prototypes had undergone extensive trials with PLA Marine forces and reconnaissance battalions, leading to official redesignation and entry into service as the QTS-11 in 2018. These tests validated the integrated digital features, including grenade programming for airburst and compatibility with external video feeds, but highlighted ongoing concerns about durability in harsh environments. Limited deployment followed, with the system entering service with elite units like the 76th Group Army's special operations by 2018, marking the transition from prototype evaluation to operational use in informatized warfare training. As of 2025, no confirmed reports indicate broader adoption beyond special operations units, with evaluations continuing on reliability and cost-effectiveness. persisted regarding scalability, echoing challenges faced by similar OICW programs globally.

Design and Specifications

Physical Characteristics

The QTS-11 is a modular integrated system that combines a with a 20mm , resulting in a compact yet robust design derived from the platform. The overall length measures 950 mm, providing a balanced profile suitable for close-quarters and mid-range engagements while accommodating the stacked configuration of the and launcher barrels. In terms of weight, the system is approximately 4.27 kg when unloaded and without optics, increasing to about 5 kg when loaded with a 30-round rifle magazine and a single 20mm grenade round. This configuration keeps the weapon relatively lightweight for an objective individual combat weapon (OICW)-style system, though the full digitalized setup—including fire control electronics and optional sights—can push the total mass up to 7 kg. The grenade launcher employs a breech-loading, bolt-action mechanism positioned above the gas-operated rifle barrel, enhancing the weapon's vertical profile without significantly extending its length. Ergonomically, the QTS-11 features a conventional layout with a , adjustable stock, and integrated Picatinny rails for mounting and accessories, promoting usability in diverse operational environments. The design emphasizes , allowing for interchangeable electro-optical sights and helmet-mounted displays to support corner-shot capabilities, though this adds to the system's bulk compared to standard assault rifles.

Armament and Ammunition

The QTS-11 is an integrated combat system that combines a 5.8mm with a single-shot 20mm , designed to provide with enhanced firepower in a single platform. The rifle component is based on the , utilizing a gas-operated, mechanism for reliable semi-automatic and fully automatic fire at a rate of 650 rounds per minute. It fires the standard DBP87 cartridge, which offers improved ballistics compared to earlier Chinese small-arms rounds, with a typical 30-round box magazine capacity and a barrel length of 467 mm. This setup allows for effective engagement of personnel at ranges up to 500 meters, emphasizing accuracy and controllability in close to medium-range combat scenarios. The is mounted above the rifle barrel, employing a manual bolt-action and breech-loading system for each round, which prioritizes simplicity and reduces mechanical complexity over rapid fire. This underbarrel-style integration enables the launcher to fire low-velocity 20mm projectiles at approximately 220 m/s, with an extending to 800 meters against stationary targets. The launcher's design supports programmable munitions, where the integrated electronic sight interfaces to set parameters, making it suitable for suppressing cover or engaging hidden threats. However, the nature requires manual reloading after each use, limiting its utility in sustained engagements. Ammunition for the rifle adheres to the 5.8×42mm standard, including ball, tracer, and armor-piercing variants, all fed from detachable 30-round magazines that balance weight and ammunition capacity for the operator. The 20mm grenade rounds are more specialized, available in several types to address diverse tactical needs: airburst fragmentation warheads, which detonate at a pre-set range for a lethal radius of 7.7 meters; armor-piercing incendiary rounds for light vehicles; and high-explosive shrapnel projectiles for anti-personnel effects. Each grenade weighs around 85 grams, and the airburst variants rely on the weapon's ballistic computer for precise programming, enhancing lethality against defilade positions. These munitions underscore the QTS-11's focus on versatile, smart weaponry, though production and logistics challenges have constrained widespread adoption.

Integrated Features

The QTS-11 Integrated Combat System incorporates advanced electronic and optical components designed to enhance soldier lethality and . At its core, the system features an electronic sighting unit that integrates a , ballistic computer, and grenade programming interface, allowing for precise targeting and fire control. This unit enables the programming of 20mm s for airburst detonation at specific ranges, with the system supporting types such as high-explosive airburst rounds (with a 7.7-meter lethal radius), armor-piercing projectiles, and shrapnel variants for close-range suppression. The optics system is modular and replaceable, featuring a video feed capability that transmits imagery to external displays, including helmet-mounted eyepieces connected via cable, facilitating "around-the-corner" shooting without exposing the operator. This integration supports networked operations through a digitalized system, which includes detection sensors, improved communications packages, and a for real-time troop monitoring, akin to advanced networks. Additionally, the QTS-11's employs a bolt-action, breech-loading mechanism mounted above the rifle barrel, with electronic fuses in the grenades programmed via the to optimize effects like airburst or impact detonation. Heads-up displays provide enhanced by overlaying ballistic data and targeting information directly in the operator's .

Production and Deployment

Manufacturing

The QTS-11 individual integrated combat system is produced exclusively in by state-owned defense enterprises, primarily for equipping units of the (PLA). Manufacturing began in 2011 following the system's development in the preceding decade, with initial focus on integrating the assault rifle base with a 20 mm grenade launcher and digital fire control components. The production process emphasizes modular assembly to incorporate electronic sighting, laser rangefinding, and networked soldier systems, though detailed technical specifications remain classified. Early production was limited to prototypes and trial batches for testing by forces, transitioning to small-scale output for operational deployment by 2015. By January 2018, approximately 50,000 units had been manufactured and issued to , paratroopers, troops, , and units such as the Sky Wolf Commandos under the PLA's . This scale reflects a strategic emphasis on high-end capabilities for informatized warfare rather than mass issuance, with units observed in battalions of the 112th Mechanized Infantry Division. The system's high unit cost—500,000 yuan (approximately $78,000) for the alone and up to 1 million yuan for the complete kit including wearable —has constrained broader runs, prioritizing formations over standard . A trial program costing 500 million yuan supported initial rollout across 13 field armies, underscoring the PLA's investment in advanced individual weaponry despite logistical challenges like the weapon's weight (up to 7 kg fully loaded). No evidence indicates export production or international licensing as of 2025.

Service Entry

The QTS-11 individual integrated combat system entered limited service with the (PLA) Ground Force around 2015, primarily as an experimental platform for advanced weaponry. Initial adoption focused on elite units to evaluate its integration of a with a 20mm airburst , alongside digital fire control and . This marked China's push toward informatized warfare capabilities, with the system undergoing field trials to assess its programmable munitions and networked soldier features. By 2018, the QTS-11 had been issued to select forces, including the Sky Wolf Commandos of the and the 76th Brigade (Sirius Commandos) of the 76th Group Army, stationed along China's western border. These units employed the system during training exercises, emphasizing its role in and close-quarters engagements. Additionally, a battalion within the 112th Division of the received limited quantities, as evidenced by public footage and inspections by high-level PLA leadership. The deployment highlighted the system's potential for precision fire support but was constrained by its high cost and logistical demands. Operational entry remained confined to specialized roles, with no evidence of widespread issuance across conventional PLA units as of 2018. The system's weight, ranging from kg when fully loaded, and the complexity of its electronic components posed challenges for broader adoption, leading to its primary use in high-threat scenarios by and elements. Ongoing evaluations aimed to refine these aspects for potential future expansion, though production scaled modestly to support force requirements.

Operators and Usage

Primary Operators

The QTS-11 Objective Individual Combat Weapon is primarily operated by specialized units within the (PLA) Ground Force, with deployment limited to elite forces as of 2018. These units leverage the system's integrated rifle and capabilities for enhanced firepower in high-threat environments, such as border regions and counter-terrorism operations. The weapon's adoption reflects the PLA's emphasis on informatized warfare, where advanced targeting and networked systems provide tactical advantages. Key primary operators include the 76th Brigade, known as the Sirius Commandos, which is part of the 76th Group Army under the . This , with roots tracing back to anti-Japanese forces in , has been equipped with the QTS-11 for missions along China's western border with , including joint anti-terrorism exercises. Similarly, the Sky Wolf Commandos, another unit in the , employ the system in limited numbers near the Indian border, as showcased in PLA training programs for future conflicts. In the , the Reconnaissance Battalion of the 112th Division fields the QTS-11, with footage of its use appearing in in January and personal inspection by President . Additionally, PLA Marine Corps units have integrated the weapon since its 2015 introduction, supporting amphibious and expeditionary roles. These deployments underscore the QTS-11's role in modernizing PLA infantry tactics, though widespread adoption remains constrained by logistical and technical challenges.

Operational Employment

The QTS-11 integrated combat system has seen limited but targeted operational employment primarily within (PLA) special operations forces since its initial fielding around 2015. It was first issued to elite units for and close-quarters engagements, emphasizing its role in enhancing individual in digitalized warfare scenarios. Key deployments include the 76th Brigade, known as the Sirius Commandos, under the 76th Group Army, which has utilized the system along China's western border with as part of reconnaissance operations. Additionally, the Sky Wolf Commandos of the —responsible for the (LAC) with —have been equipped with the QTS-11 during training exercises in the region, particularly following the 2017 Doklam standoff, to bolster capabilities in high-altitude and border patrol missions. The Xuefeng Special Operations Brigade, also affiliated with the 76th Group Army, has incorporated the QTS-11 into internal competitive training focused on and anti-personnel operations, aiming to develop "super soldier" proficiency where individual operators can engage multiple targets effectively. PLA Marine Corps units and the reconnaissance battalion of the 112th Division have similarly adopted it for expeditionary and mechanized roles, integrating its airburst capabilities with networked sensors for real-time data sharing in joint exercises. A and under the has employed the system in digitalized training environments, leveraging its thermal imaging and positioning features for enhanced in contested areas. Overall, operational use remains confined to due to the system's high cost and complexity, with no widespread adoption reported among conventional PLA ground forces as of 2019.
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