A higher energy round could retain greater accuracy and penetration over longer distances. If true, this would square with the increasing emphasis on longer-range marksmanship in professional armies, as well as growing concerns that greater penetration will be needed to overmatch modern body armor used by adversaries in a high-intensity conflict. It remains unclear whether a heavier light-machine gun or squad automatic weapon variant will also be produced as was done for the QBZ-95, as China is reportedly separately developing a new 5.8-millimeter light machine gun.Īnthony’s piece also reports that the weapon retains the 5.8x42 millimeter bullet of its predecessor, but that “its confirmed the PLA has adopted new 5.8x42mm rounds that have better performance on medium to long-range.” Three variants of the new rifle have been spotted so far: a short-barrel carbine, a standard rifle variant, and a Designated Marksmen Rifle variant pictured here (a sort of low-end sniper rifle integrated at the squad level) with a lengthened barrel, bipod, and enlarged scope. A flip-up iron sight is also visible on the barrel. Diplomat writer Rick Joe has suggested the sight may be a 3X magnification Darter 185 scope.

For instance, a prominent fiber-optical illuminated reticle sight appeared to be standard in the 2019 parade. That’s reflected in a full-length Picatinny rail, which allows sights and gizmos to be slotted onto the rifle such as sights, flashlights, grips and dot lasers.

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