Skywatcher
Captain
Changing the turret (once ERCA comes around) and a virtually new chassis, but keep the M109 designation. Feels kind of like the same trick the PLA pulled with the ZTZ-99A.
Self Propelled Gun/Rocket Launcher
- Thread starter FORBIN
- Start date
I believe it is the same chassis but with front engine placement much like t-14 & t-15. It's highly possible that the PLA is going with the armata strategy of a single unified heavy armored chassis for the family of future mbt, sph and heavy ifv for the heavy combined arms brigades to simplify production, training and maintenance. Very exciting development.
If it pans out as you predict @Dishi then that would be a welcoming and exciting development indeed... I guess all the different chassis models across the sometimes mind boggling range is finally paying off... Would really like to see the revolution result in Chinese heavy armoured chassis designs rather then the evolution from old existing base designs. If it means a uniquely Chinese design with other’s influence rather than other‘s base designs with Chinese influences that would be a great change of pace and something to look forward to!
Some nice screen grabs of the new 122mm SPH based on the Mengshi-III chassis.
This is where I am confused about. Why is semi-auto loading 122mm on both the mengshi platform as well as the 4x4 truck platform? Is it just to to make supply, repair and maintenance easier for the light brigade, as a result of a universal platform?
Hendrik_2000
Lieutenant General
Semi auto loading reduce set up time and reduce crew fatigue allowing it to make rapid fire and egress fast. Before they were located by the foe artillery's radar and fire counter gun to hit them. That is the main reason of integrated gun and carrier(truck or 4X4). Towed artillery is very vulnerable and obsolete these days with the proliferation counter artillery radar. As well it is compact and air transportable and can be deployed fast providing big gun support for airborne troop
No, that's not what I was talking about. I was talking about that fact that the new semi-auto 122mm has two platforms so far: one is on the 6x6 Mengshi, the other is on a 4x4 truck(the PCL-161) similar to the PCL-181. My question is why is there a need for two different wheeled platforms that is very similar to each other.
Hendrik_2000
Lieutenant General
You didn't read my post well. Simple "the 4X4" is compact and air transportable maybe even using Y9 The PCL 181 need Y20. The Mengxi weight is guess 3 ton the gun itself maybe 4 to 5 ton Total 8 ton. Y9 carrying capacity is around 20 ton So you can carry 2 PCL-161. More flexible deployment and can equipped airborne troop or marine using yuyi hovercraft or Heavy Helicopter.
It is more compact and lesser weight so it can negotiate narrow and winding mountain road. Bridges also have maximum weight requirement
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HI jimmyjames30x30,
Same here bro, from my analysis the Mengshi is meant for the light force or RDF (Rapid deployment force), the PCL-161 is for brigade used , while the PCL-181 is Division asset.