Self Propelled Gun/Rocket Launcher

Blitzo · Sep 22, 2019

AndrewS said:
Is there anything on the cost?

I don't think it's offered for export or anything yet so I doubt we can reasonably expect information on cost.
But compared to conventional shells I think we can also reasonably assume it will be more expensive.

SinoSoldier said:
Looks like the PLA is set on inducting the
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The 370mm variant in particular.

Carrying 8 370mm rockets each with a range of 280km, not only does it present a whole new world of long range strike against deep targets, but for Taiwan contingencies it massively boosts the flexibility and mass of fire that could be fielded even when operating multiple dozen km inland China's own coast, in turn freeing up SRBMs for other targets.
It will be interesting to see which units end up receiving this weapon in the most number.

SpicySichuan · Sep 22, 2019

Bltizo said:
I don't think it's offered for export or anything yet so I doubt we can reasonably expect information on cost.
But compared to conventional shells I think we can also reasonably assume it will be more expensive.

The 370mm variant in particular.

Carrying 8 370mm rockets each with a range of 280km, not only does it present a whole new world of long range strike against deep targets, but for Taiwan contingencies it massively boosts the flexibility and mass of fire that could be fielded even when operating multiple dozen km inland China's own coast, in turn freeing up SRBMs for other targets.
It will be interesting to see which units end up receiving this weapon in the most number.

I agree! If this "Type 16" really has 280km strike range instead of AR3's 220km, the Type 16 could be utilized to deal specifically with ROCAF airbases scattered along Taiwan's western seaboard. It is the best tool to stop Taiwan's F-16s and IDFs from even taking off. Custer rounds could also be effective against concentrated ROC Army armor columns (after PLAAF drones detect their precise locations) and military barracks.

Blitzo · Sep 22, 2019

Josh Luo said:
I agree! If this "Type 16" really has 280km strike range instead of AR3's 220km, the Type 16 could be utilized to deal specifically with ROCAF airbases scattered along Taiwan's western seaboard. It is the best tool to stop Taiwan's F-16s and IDFs from even taking off. Custer rounds could also be effective against concentrated ROC Army armor columns (after PLAAF drones detect their precise locations) and military barracks.

The AR3 comes with 300mm or 370mm rockets, able to carry 10 or 8 respectively (or a mix of 5 and 4).

In turn, the 370mm rocket comes with FD220 and FD280 variants, offering 220km and 280km respectively. The 280km FD280 is confirmed to exist, and is one option for the AR3 package.

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Rumours over the last year for the PLA's adoption of the AR3 spoke of the 280km range variant of the 370mm rocket, which should correspond to the FD280.
I imagine it might be known as PHL16 in PLA service but we'll have to wait and see.

SpicySichuan · Sep 22, 2019

Bltizo said:
Rumours over the last year for the PLA's adoption of the AR3 spoke of the 280km range variant of the 370mm rocket, which should correspond to the FD280.

Do you think the FD280 could carry less charges and submunitions than the FD220, given that FD280 could flight at a longer distance and possibly need to carry less weight?

Blitzo · Sep 22, 2019

Josh Luo said:
Do you think the FD280 could carry less charges and submunitions than the FD220, given that FD280 could flight at a longer distance and possibly need to carry less weight?

Well, we don't know if FD280 and FD220 have the same exact volume.

But assuming both are the same volume, a reduced payload on the FD280 in exchange for propellant could explain why it has longer range than FD220.
Alternatively, FD280 might use superior propellant than FD220.
Or, maybe FD280 uses some sort of additional control surfaces to extend its range compared to FD220.

... or it could be a combination of the above factors (again, assuming FD280 and FD220 have the same volume... I haven't been able to find comparison pictures of the two rockets yet).

Skywatcher · Sep 22, 2019

by78 said:
155mm solid-fuel ramjet artillery round. According to the Weibo poster, it is available for export, with a range of >150km.

If this was scaled up to 203+mm, the range increase would be interesting (the 210mm Al Fao' had a 50% increase in range compared to a 155mm, though granted the former did have a 70L tube).

drowingfish · Sep 22, 2019

Josh Luo said:
I agree! If this "Type 16" really has 280km strike range instead of AR3's 220km, the Type 16 could be utilized to deal specifically with ROCAF airbases scattered along Taiwan's western seaboard. It is the best tool to stop Taiwan's F-16s and IDFs from even taking off. Custer rounds could also be effective against concentrated ROC Army armor columns (after PLAAF drones detect their precise locations) and military barracks.

well even the 220 km version allows the PLA the ability to hit air bases in northern Taiwan and easily all of Penghu, which lies just beyond the 150 km reach of type 03. the 280km version if exists would easily cover all of taiwan's most crucial land targets. I believe this weapon is a minor game changer for Taiwan because it is not feasible for its air defence to shield the island from the firepower that this system is able to bring to bear.

Blitzo · Sep 23, 2019

drowingfish said:
well even the 220 km version allows the PLA the ability to hit air bases in northern Taiwan and easily all of Penghu, which lies just beyond the 150 km reach of type 03. the 280km version if exists would easily cover all of taiwan's most crucial land targets. I believe this weapon is a minor game changer for Taiwan because it is not feasible for its air defence to shield the island from the firepower that this system is able to bring to bear.

There's no question of whether the 280km version "exists". They've been selling it for export for years. It exists.

Whether the PLA has procured the 280km version itself is a different question but the rumours over the last year or so that's mentioned the new long range MRLS has spoken of the 280km range in particular, so..

SpicySichuan · Sep 23, 2019

Bltizo said:
There's no question of whether the 280km version "exists". They've been selling it for export for years. It exists.

Whether the PLA has procured the 280km version itself is a different question but the rumours over the last year or so that's mentioned the new long range MRLS has spoken of the 280km range in particular, so..

It is indeed a game changer for the PLA with regard to the Taiwan theater. MRLS are much more efficient in bringing down wonton destruction than SRBMs. And MRLS are usually more affordable than SRBMs.

AndrewS · Sep 23, 2019

drowingfish said:
well even the 220 km version allows the PLA the ability to hit air bases in northern Taiwan and easily all of Penghu, which lies just beyond the 150 km reach of type 03. the 280km version if exists would easily cover all of taiwan's most crucial land targets. I believe this weapon is a minor game changer for Taiwan because it is not feasible for its air defence to shield the island from the firepower that this system is able to bring to bear.

Do you mean to say major game changer instead?

Also, does anyone have a cost for how much the missiles are?

Self Propelled Gun/Rocket Launcher

Blitzo

Lieutenant General

SpicySichuan

Senior Member

Blitzo

Lieutenant General

SpicySichuan

Senior Member

Blitzo

Lieutenant General

Skywatcher

Captain

drowingfish

Junior Member

Blitzo

Lieutenant General

SpicySichuan

Senior Member

AndrewS

Brigadier