PCL-181

The PCL-181 is a truck-mounted 155 mm self-propelled howitzer used by the Chinese People's Liberation Army.[2]

PCL-181
TypeSelf-propelled howitzer
Place of originChina
Service history
In service2019 - Present
Used byPeople's Liberation Army
Production history
DesignerNanjing University of Science and Technology
ManufacturerNorinco
No. built200+[1]
Specifications
Mass25 tons[2]
Length6.5 m (SH-15)[3]
Width2.66 m (SH-15)[3]
Height<3.6 m
Crew6
Shell155 mm
Caliber52
Breechsemi-automatic vertical wedge type breech block
Elevationaround 20 degrees to 70 degrees (except for front due to cab)
Traverse360 degrees
Rate of fire4 - 6 rounds / minute (SH-15)
Effective firing range40 km (conventional projectile)
Maximum firing range72 km (rocket-assisted projectile)
Main
armament
155 mm Howitzer gun
Maximum speed 100 kmh

Development

The PCL-181 made its first public appearance during the Chinese National Day Parade on 1 October 2019.[4]

It was designed to replace the 152 mm PL-66 towed gun-howitzer and the 130 mm Type 59-1 towed field guns used by the PLA and will complement the PLZ-05, and improve upon its functionality in many ways.

Design

Armament

The gun has a 52-caliber barrel and is exactly the same as that of the PLZ-05 self-propelled howitzer.[5] It has a maximum firing range of up to 40 km with conventional ammunition and 72 km with extended range ammunition. The gun can also fire laser-guided munition which is capable of all weather operation.[6] Each vehicle can carry 27 rounds of ammunition.[3]

The vehicle features semi-automatic ammo reload, where the operator places the shell on the loading arm and the loading arm loads the round into the breech.[7]

The PCL-181 is equipped with an automatic fire control system (AFCS).[2] Following the operator's input of a target's azimuth data, the vehicle-mounted computer can calculate the trajectory of the artillery, and automatically lay the gun.[8]

Mobility

The PCL-181 is based on Taian GM's 6X6 truck chassis.[5]

Due to its comparatively lighter weight of 25 tons, the PCL-181 can also be transported in a Shaanxi Y-9.[2]

Variants
PCL-181
PLA designation
SH-15
Export designation

Deployment

According to state media reports, most of the country’s five military jurisdictions, known as theatre commands, have been equipped with PCL-181 155mm vehicle-mounted howitzers.[9]

In June 2020, it was reported that the PCL-181 had been deployed in Tibet amid tensions with India.[9]

In February 2021, it was reported that at least 18 PCL-181s had been inducted into the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force’s (PLAGF’s) Xinjiang Military Command.[10]

Operators

Current operators

References
  1. International Institute for Strategic Studies (2021). The Military Balance 2021. Routledge. p. 251. ISBN 9781032012278.
  2. "PCL-181 brings great improvement for PLA artillery troops - China Military". eng.chinamil.com.cn. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
  3. "Analysis: Top most modern 6x6 wheeled self-propelled howitzers". armyrecognition. 8 September 2020.
  4. "Chinese PLA Commissions PCL-181 Vehicle-mounted Howitzer in Southern Border with India". www.defenseworld.net. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
  5. "PCL-181 155mm self-propelled howitzer". globalsecurity.
  6. ""最强卡车炮"实射激光末制导炮弹画面曝光，行驶中的靶标被一发打爆". Sohu News (in Chinese). 12 August 2021.
  7. "Chinese PLA Commissions PCL-181 Vehicle-mounted Howitzer in Southern Border with India". defenseworld.net. 11 June 2020.
  8. "PCL-181 brings great improvement for PLA artillery troops". China Military. 7 May 2020.
  9. Liu, Zhen (29 June 2020). "The cheap, light howitzer China is rolling out in Tibet". South China Morning Post.
  10. "Norinco's PCL-181 SPH in service with PLAGF's 80th Group Army". Janes. 11 May 2021.
  11. "SH-15". military today.

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