PLZ-05

The PLZ-05 or the Type 05 is a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer developed by the People's Liberation Army of China to replace the Type 59-1 130mm. The PLZ-05 was officially unveiled at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution to mark the 80th anniversary of the PLA in July 2007, and first entered service with the PLA in 2008.

PLZ-05 Self-Propelled Howitzer
The PLZ-05 on display for the first time in 2007 at an exhibition at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution.
TypeSelf-propelled artillery
Place of originChina
Production history
DesignerNORINCO
Designed1990s
ManufacturerNorinco
Produced2005-present
Specifications
Mass35 tonnes [1]
Length11.60 m
Width3.38 m
Height3.55 m
Crew4
Caliber155 mm
Barrels52 caliber (PLZ-05 & PLZ-52)
54 caliber (PLZ-04)
Traverse360°
Rate of fire10 rounds/min (PLZ-05) [2]
8 rounds/min (PLZ-52)
3 rounds in 15 seconds burst firing rate (PLZ-52)
Maximum firing rangeVaries by munition.
20km (laser-homing)
39km (ERFB-BB) [2]
53km (ERFB-BB-RA)
100km (WS-35) [3]
Main
armament
155 mm howitzer
Secondary
armament
12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun/ 2 sets of 4-barrel grenade launchers
Engine8V150-cooled turbocharged diesel
800 hp (PLZ-05) [4]
1000 hp (PLZ-52)
Suspensiontorsion bar
Operational
range
550 km (PLZ-05)
450 km (PLZ-52)
Maximum speed 56 km/h (PLZ-05)
65 km/h (PLZ-52)
PLZ-05 Self-Propelled Artillery

Variants

PLZ-05 / Type 05

Self-propelled howitzer with a 52 caliber barrel, 800 hp diesel engine & gross weight of 35 tonnes.[4] It is deployed only with the People's Liberation Army.[1] The PLZ-05 can fire the WS-35 shell, a 40 lb (18 kg) guided munition with accuracy of 40 m (130 ft) and a max range reported to be 100 km (62 mi). It is guided using Beidou Navigation Satellite System, the Chinese version of global positioning system, and inertial guidance.[5]

PLZ-52

The PLZ-52 is a 155mm / 52 caliber tracked self-propelled howitzer similar in appearance to the PLZ-45, but based on a slightly different hull. Having a gross vehicle weight of 43 tonnes, the PLZ-52 features a new powerpack, which consists of a diesel engine developing 1,000 hp at 2,300 rpm coupled to a fully automatic transmission. This gives a maximum road speed of up to 65 km/h and an operational range up to 450 km.[6] The PLZ-52 howitzer has a maximum firing range of 53 km (with ERFB-BB-RA projectiles), maximum firing rate of eight rounds per minute, a burst firing rate of three rounds per fifteen seconds, and a multiple-round simultaneous impact capability of four rounds.[7]

The driver and powerpack are at the front of the hull with a fully enclosed turret at the rear. It has torsion bar suspension with six dual rubber tyred road wheels, a drive sprocket at the front, idler at the rear and track return rollers. The PLZ-52 is offered for export.[6]

PLZ-04

Self-propelled howitzer with a 54 caliber barrel and apparently offered for export.[1]

Operators
 People's Republic of China

See also

References
  1. "China Upgrades Self-Propelled Artillery". strategypage.com. 25 July 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  2. "PLZ05 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer". SinoDefence.com. 20 February 2009. Archived from the original on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 21 March 2010.
  3. "China's new 155mm artillery round hits 100km targets: Kanwa". WantChinaTimes.com. 1 July 2013. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  4. "PLA in volume equipment PLZ-05 self-propelled howitzer". comhaha.com. 22 December 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  5. Artillery: The Chinese Magical Mystery Shell - Strategypage.com, 28 November 2013
  6. F Foss, Christopher (18 October 2012). "China details latest PLZ52 155 mm self-propelled artillery system". Jane's International Defence Review. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  7. "PLZ52 155mm 52 Calibre Self-propelled armoured tracked howitzer". armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  8. "Appraisal of PLA Artillery Modernisation". Centre for Land Warfare Study.

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