PCL-161

The PCL-161 is a truck-mounted 122 mm self-propelled howitzer used by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Ground Force.[1]

PCL-161
TypeSelf-propelled howitzer
Place of originChina
Service history
In service2020 - Present
Used byPeople's Liberation Army
Specifications
Mass12 - 13 tons
Shell122 mm
Rate of fire8 rounds per minute
Effective firing range22km (ordinary rounds)
Maximum firing range30km (rocket-assisted projectile)
Main
armament
122 mm Howitzer gun

Development

The PCL-161 was first unveiled while doing exercises in Tibet Autonomous Region in October 2020.[2] It is speculated to be a successor of the 122 mm truck mounted howitzer PCL-09.

Design

PCL-161 features a 122mm howitzer with semi-automatic loader and digital fire control system.[3] The range is 22 km with conventional ammunition and 30 km with rocket-assisted projectiles. It features various improvements over the PCL-09, including better firing accuracy, the ability to fire directly in the forward direction of the vehicle.[2] The PCL-161 features a semi-automatic loading system that is identical to the one found on the PCL-181, where the operator places the shell on the loading arm and the loading arm loads the round into the breech. The fire control system is also identical to that of the PCL-181, featuring automatic calculation and gun-laying via the vehicle-mounted fire control computer.[4]

The truck chassis is based on the FAW MV3 series of tactical trucks, specifically the 4x4 CTM-133 variant. During combat, two front vertical stabilizers and two rear stabilizers are extended and dug into the ground to dampen the recoil.[4][5]

Operators

References
Notes
  1. "PLAGF's Xinjiang Military Command operating new 122 mm, 4×4 SPH". Janes. 11 May 2021.
  2. "China's PCL-161 vehicle-mounted howitzers conduct exercises in Tibet". China Arms. October 22, 2020.
  3. "打印利器，国产新型卡车炮现身青藏高原，机动灵活火力强". Tencent News. 20 August 2020.
  4. "PCL-161 122 mm Truck Cannon (SPH)". globalsecurity.
  5. "Shallow/nearly deep artillery backbone of the Chinese High Mobility Force: PCL-161 self-propelled artillery - iNEWS". 資訊咖 - 全球資訊領導者. 2021-05-02. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
  6. Cranny-Evans, Samuel (28 October 2022). "Footage shows PCL-161 SPH in service with PLAGF's 78th Group Army". Janes.
Bibliography

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