PLA Ground Forces news, pics and videos
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
Ultra
Junior Member
Those PLZ-05 photos goes well with these photos:
WS35 155mm extended range guided artillery shell
The WS-35 is a precision-guided, long-range 155mm rocket assisted projectile (RAP) developed by China's Changzheng Trade Import and Export Corporation (ALMT) and produced by the Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) artillery units. The maximum range of this artillery shell is roughly 100 kilometers giving Chinese 155mm howitzers great advantage over their foreign equivalents. The shell utilizes a combination of the Beidou Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the Inertial Navigation System (INS) to achieve a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of 40 meters. The fuselage is fitted with two sets of four stability fins at the warhead and rear sections. It is possible that this shell is fitted with center-body glider wings that enable the extended range. According to the manufacturer the WS-35 is available in two versions and can support a rate of fire of five rounds per minute. The WS-35 long-range artillery shell was unveiled in late 2013. The PLZ-05 seems to be the only self-propelled howitzer (SPH) within the PLA capable of firing this new artillery round.
Dimensions
Caliber: 155 millimeter
Length: 1,620 millimeter
Performance
CEP: 40 meter
Max Range: 100 km
Time
Service Life: 10 year
Weight
Weight: 18 kilogram
Out of all the rocket assisted, base bleed munitions, this one probably has the longest range by far.
It is very similar to the american M982 Excalibur, except the Excalibur's range is only 40 km.
Last edited:
Equation
Lieutenant General
Those PLZ-05 photos goes well with these photos:
WS35 155mm extended range guided artillery shell
The WS-35 is a precision-guided, long-range 155mm rocket assisted projectile (RAP) developed by China's Changzheng Trade Import and Export Corporation (ALMT) and produced by the Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) artillery units. The maximum range of this artillery shell is roughly 100 kilometers giving Chinese 155mm howitzers great advantage over their foreign equivalents. The shell utilizes a combination of the Beidou Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the Inertial Navigation System (INS) to achieve a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of 40 meters. The fuselage is fitted with two sets of four stability fins at the warhead and rear sections. It is possible that this shell is fitted with center-body glider wings that enable the extended range. According to the manufacturer the WS-35 is available in two versions and can support a rate of fire of five rounds per minute. The WS-35 long-range artillery shell was unveiled in late 2013. The PLZ-05 seems to be the only self-propelled howitzer (SPH) within the PLA capable of firing this new artillery round.
Dimensions
Caliber: 155 millimeter
Length: 1,620 millimeter
Performance
CEP: 40 meter
Max Range: 100 km
Time
Service Life: 10 year
Weight
Weight: 18 kilogram
Out of all the rocket assisted, base bleed munitions, this one probably has the longest range by far.
It is very similar to the american M982 Excalibur, except the Excalibur's range is only 40 km.
That depends on how much powder put into the artillery gun barrel as well. The higher the amount the longer the range. Plus the WS35 looks to be a bit longer therefore having more a rocket fuel propellant than the M982.
Ultra
Junior Member
I think it is a bit more to it than that. WS35 is significantly longer range than Excalibur, by more than twice the range. And as fire these puppies air resistence and drags become quite significant issue.
Also note that Excalibur is a lot heavier than WS35. Excalibur weighing at 48 kg is more than twice almost 3 times the weight of WS35.
Also to note - this munition (combine with PLZ-05) out range every artillery currently in service. The only one that may out range this, is the Long Range Land Attack Projectile (LRLAP) which has a maximum range of 190 km. But is still in development. And it is for US Navy.
Also note that Excalibur is a lot heavier than WS35. Excalibur weighing at 48 kg is more than twice almost 3 times the weight of WS35.
Also to note - this munition (combine with PLZ-05) out range every artillery currently in service. The only one that may out range this, is the Long Range Land Attack Projectile (LRLAP) which has a maximum range of 190 km. But is still in development. And it is for US Navy.
Last edited:
Ultra
Junior Member
Even with the most optimum elevation (45 degree), I highly doubt it will make normal smoothbore tank guns firing at the optimal maximum range of 4km~8km to become 100 km. In fact, I think that maximum range of 8km is probably fired at close to 45 degree.
If tank guns can fire at close to normal artillery range (like the M777 Howitzer - 24 km), there would be no use for mobile artillery then. Wouldn't you think?
Equation
Lieutenant General
Even with the most optimum elevation (45 degree), I highly doubt it will make normal smoothbore tank guns firing at the optimal maximum range of 4km~8km to become 100 km. In fact, I think that maximum range of 8km is probably fired at close to 45 degree.
If tank guns can fire at close to normal artillery range (like the M777 Howitzer - 24 km), there would be no use for mobile artillery then. Wouldn't you think?
I doubt it. Tanks have a different mission than mobile artillery units. Tanks fired horizontal fast rounds to destroy other enemy tanks and bunkers nearby while providing some infantry support and IFV support as well. Artillery units with Howitzer guns fired a far heavier round to lodge at enemy positions from a greater distance in large numbers. Artillery units are the heavy hitters for both offensive and defensive combat scenarios, that's why they are known as the "King of battle" (referring to Chess pieces).
