Self Propelled Gun/Rocket Launcher

by78

General
Two cool images of MRLS firing at night.

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Hendrik_2000

Lieutenant General
Since China never release info on their howitzer the closest you can get is their export variant. Here is the best close up video of PCL 181. The price is 2.1 million cheap China can produce hundreds if not thousands of this powerful weapon. Not as good as Archer but close to Caesar


Spec
In 2017 a new 155 mm truck-mounted howitzer was first observed in China. It was publicly revealed in 2018. By that time at least a battery of these truck-mounted howitzers was produced, that were used for testing and evaluation. The SH-15 is based on an older
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design, which was intended mainly for export, but the new howitzer was improved in many ways and was aimed to meet China's army requirement. It is similar in concept to a French
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truck-mounted howitzer. The SH-15 was adopted by the Chinese army in 2018 or 2019 as the PLC-181. It replaces in service the old
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field howitzers. Operational howitzers were demonstrated during a military parade in 2019. This artillery system is also being offered for export customers. In 2019 Pakistan ordered 236 of these artillery systems.

This new truck-mounted artillery system is fitted with a 155 mm gun-howitzer. Most likely it is a modified ordnance of an AH-2 155 mm/L52 howitzer. It is compatible with all standard 155 mm NATO ammunition, as well as indigenous ammunition developed by NORINCO. So this howitzer can use a wide variety of different ammunition. This artillery system is capable of direct and indiret firing. Maximum range of fire could be up to 53 km with a rocket-assisted V-LAP projectile. Such range was already demonstrated by the older SH-1 system. In addition this artillery system can use indigenous precision-guided munitions, based on the Russian
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laser-guided projectile technology. China obtained this technology and production license in the late 1990s and successfully developed its own precision guided projectiles. Its export designation is GP155 or GP1. These projectiles have a maximum range of 20-25 km.


This truck-mounted howitzer has built-in ammunition boxes and carries various rounds with associated charges. Before firing two large spades are lowered to the ground at the back. These provide a more stable firing platform. Maximum rate of fire could be around 4-6 rounds per minute. Conversion time form firing to travelling order is only around 1 minute. So this howitzer can briefly fire a couple of shells and leave its firing position before hostile forces open a counter-battery fire.

The SH-15 is fitted with a computerized fire control system, navigation, positioning and targeting systems. Vehicle receives target information from artillery command vehicle.

This howitzer is based on a new Shaanxi military truck with an armored cabin. It accommodates a complete gun crew of 4 or 5 soldiers. Armor provides protection for the crew against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters.

A 12.7 mm heavy machine gun can be mounted on the roof for self-defense.

This artillery system is highly mobile and can self-deploy over long distances. It can be airlifted by most medium transport aircraft. It is light enough to be airlifted by a
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or similar military transport aircraft, making it a more flexible option for a China's growing rapid reaction units.


Unit price of the SH-15 is around $2.1 million judging from the Pakistani export order.
 

Hendrik_2000

Lieutenant General
In what ways is the 181 inferior to the Archer?

Archer is fully automatic from loading the munition to aiming to lowering the spade. the operator does not need to leave the truck cabin. But that is maybe because Swedish climate with deep snow in the winter time making manual operation difficult Automation allowing it for rapid fire and scoot
Watch minute 2:16 when the designer said everything is operated from the cabin
 
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