Self Propelled Gun/Rocket Launcher

by78 said:

More images of the PLZ-45A4 export 155mm self-propelled howitzer.

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More images of the PLZ-45A4, showing the ammo stowage areas and vehicle interior. Additional rounds (at least 10 rounds?) are stored in separate compartments in the rear of the turret.

New image of the 155mm tracked self-propelled gun

That is a really long turret. I wonder if some sort of fully automatic loading system is in place.

TK3600 said:

That is a really long turret. I wonder if some sort of fully automatic loading system is in place.

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It looks long, but the main structure of the bustle actually terminates right around the back of the chassis, so there's little actual overhang of heavy structure. The 2 panels on the left & right side of the bustle do suggest a potential autoloader system, with shell & charge taking 1 side each.

What's more interesting is the omission of the fume extractor from the barrel. Does that mean it uses a compressed gas system just like in the French 120mm smoothbore, or it's an unmanned turret so there's no need for fume extractor?

The Observer said:

It looks long, but the main structure of the bustle actually terminates right around the back of the chassis, so there's little actual overhang of heavy structure. The 2 panels on the left & right side of the bustle do suggest a potential autoloader system, with shell & charge taking 1 side each.

What's more interesting is the omission of the fume extractor from the barrel. Does that mean it uses a compressed gas system just like in the French 120mm smoothbore, or it's an unmanned turret so there's no need for fume extractor?

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There's fume extractor in older photo

Kejora said:

There's fume extractor in older photo
View attachment 120316

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Then it gets even more interesting. In the newest photo, the muzzle is stained black, presumably from firing gasses, yet there's no fume extractor on the barrel. And considering there's a very visible large panel and view window/periscope on the side of the turret, this means a very high possibility of it being a manned turret.

Maybe PLA is using this prototype to test a compressed gas system for the gun in competition with the fume extractor on the other prototype? Perhaps they're trying to increase barrel durability/rigidity, and the holes needed for the fume extractor are weak points that they're trying to eliminate?

Good poiint. The rapid change in design show these likely in testing phase and do not represent final procurement products.

TK3600 said:

That is a really long turret. I wonder if some sort of fully automatic loading system is in place.

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I think so as I felt the original PLZ-05 turret was quite spacious.

A larger breech for more powerful propellant charges would also be possible a cause for the larger turret.

I also wonder if the PLA decided to go with the 54 caliber gun option that was offered for export though I doubt there will be significant increases in range for such a short elongation.

Hitomi said:

I think so as I felt the original PLZ-05 turret was quite spacious.

A larger breech for more powerful propellant charges would also be possible a cause for the larger turret.

I also wonder if the PLA decided to go with the 54 caliber gun option that was offered for export though I doubt there will be significant increases in range for such a short elongation.

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Wasn't there also that video clip that was posted here that showed a modular propellant charge loading system?