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PCL-161

PCL-161
TypeSelf-propelled howitzer
Place of originChina
Service history
In service2020–present
Used byPeople's Liberation Army
Specifications
Mass12–13 tonnes (12–13 long tons; 13–14 short tons)
Caliber122 mm (4.8 in)
Rate of fire8 rounds/min
Effective firing range22 km (14 mi) (conventional projectile)
Maximum firing range30 km (19 mi) (rocket-assisted projectile)
Main
armament
122 mm howitzer gun
Drive4×4
Suspensionhydropneumatic suspension

The PCL-161 is a truck-mounted 122 mm (4.8 in) self-propelled howitzer used by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Ground Force.[1] The designation "PCL" is an acronym derived from pinyin (Chinese: 炮车榴弹炮; pinyin: Pào Chē Liúdànpào; lit. 'Gun Vehicle Howitzer').

Development

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The PCL-161 was first unveiled while doing exercises in the Tibet Autonomous Region in October 2020.[2] It is speculated to be a successor of the 122 mm truck-mounted howitzer PCL-09.[3]

Design

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PCL-161 features a 122 mm howitzer with semi-automatic loader and digital fire-control system.[4] The range is 22 km (14 mi) with conventional ammunition and 30 km (19 mi) with rocket-assisted projectiles. It features various improvements over the PCL-09, including better firing accuracy, and the ability to fire directly in the forward direction of the vehicle.[2] The PCL-161 features a semi-automatic loading system that is identical to the one found on the PCL-181, where the operator places the shell on the loading arm and the loading arm loads the round into the breech. The fire-control system is also identical to that of the PCL-181, featuring automatic calculation and gun-laying via the vehicle-mounted fire-control computer.[5]

The truck chassis is based on the FAW MV3 series of tactical trucks, specifically the 4×4 CTM-133 variant. During combat, two front vertical stabilizers and two rear stabilizers are extended and dug into the ground to dampen the recoil.[5][6] PCL-161 is fitted with hydropneumatic suspension, allowing better gun elevation and depression.[7]

Operators

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References

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  1. ^ Dominguez, Gabriel; Cazalet, Mark (11 May 2021). "PLAGF's Xinjiang Military Command operating new 122 mm, 4×4 SPH". Janes. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  2. ^ a b "China's PCL-161 truck-mounted howitzers conduct exercises in Tibet". China-Arms. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  3. ^ Cranny-Evans, Samuel (28 October 2021). "Footage shows PCL-161 SPH in service with PLAGF's 78th Group Army". Janes. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  4. ^ 打印利器，国产新型卡车炮现身青藏高原，机动灵活火力强. Tencent News (in Chinese). 20 August 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  5. ^ a b "PCL-161 122 mm Truck Cannon (SPH)". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Shallow/nearly deep artillery backbone of the Chinese High Mobility Force: PCL-161 self-propelled artillery". iNews. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  7. ^ 宋楠 (3 November 2021). "宋楠：从珠海航展研判东风汽车的军事核心技术领域大创新！". Sohu News.
  8. ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (2023). Hackett, James (ed.). The Military Balance 2023. London: Routledge. p. 239. ISBN 978-1-032-50895-5.