Self Propelled Gun/Rocket Launcher
- Thread starter FORBIN
- Start date
Looks like PLZ-05 turret combined with modified ZBD-04A hull.
Speaking about the new 155mm howitzer, is there any rumor/ Chinese paper about 122mm/155mm lightweight lower-recoil howitzer? The US is looking at lightweight low-recoil 105mm and 155mm howitzers, nicknamed Hawkeye and Brutus respectively. Those look like pretty interesting concepts that might be practical, though I've got no idea about their durability and reliability.
Here're the links to and . Also attached are the spec sheets for the two.
Personally I think PLA might be interested, but with it being a pretty conservative organization along with the entrance of some brand spanking new conventional howitzers (PCL-181, PCL-161, and maybe a Mengshi based 122mm howitzer), I guess any plan for this type of experiment will be relegated to the archives.
Here're the links to and . Also attached are the spec sheets for the two.
Personally I think PLA might be interested, but with it being a pretty conservative organization along with the entrance of some brand spanking new conventional howitzers (PCL-181, PCL-161, and maybe a Mengshi based 122mm howitzer), I guess any plan for this type of experiment will be relegated to the archives.
My opinion after watching videos of Hawkeye I don't think any advantage over PCL-181,161. The Hawkeye need separate Ammunition truck and 4 crew to operate. Meanwhile PCL system just need 1 truck and have bigger caliber.
The advantage I can see is less recoil, enabling faster reset and lower stress on the chassis. That also means they can use lighter chassis, lowering weight. The disadvantage might be lower reliability/predictability due to different charges fired and it is a newer, hence less tested, system (not a great sell in a conservative army procurement system).
IMO if they can make it work, I expect a much less jarring direct fire capability for both 155 and 122mm guns. I've watched a video of PCL-181 employing its direct fire capability. The resultant recoil and gun wobble were so jarring that I worry about the lifespan of both the chassis and the gun mounting. Maybe just me being a civvie and a worrywart though.
As for Hawkeye needing a separate ammunition truck and having a smaller caliber, I think it's caused by the design choices made, and anyway I think it's still a proof of concept that can be further improved (semi field-tested but not yet approved into service). And I believe both PCL-181 and 161 also have 4-6 crew anyway, so that's a non issue.
Whether old or new, if it's not fielded yet then for me it's just a paper plan. I wonder what prevented them from moving on with the concept though.
Armata's universality is that versions with engine forward and aft were planned from the outset.
50t+ chassis can't be too universal nor it was intended to be so.
The American approach to artillery only really works when your every division has an integral helicopter brigade.
It's very impressive... and it is "golden".
