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

Official induction took place on 15 March 2021. As per sources Pakistan has acquired around 300 units with TOT to further build these self propelled howitzer locally in Heavy Industries Taxila. [12]

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.
  12. https://twitter.com/PTVNewsOfficial/status/1503590781122142210?t=2gx5wVZ32AyAYGlg_clkhg&s=19

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