PCL-181 explained

PCL-181
Type:Self-propelled howitzer
Origin:China
Is Ranged:yes
Is Artillery:yes
Is Vehicle:yes
Service:2019–present
Used By:See
Designer:Nanjing University of Science and Technology
Manufacturer:Norinco
Length: (SH-15)
Width: (SH-15)
Height:<
Crew:6
Caliber:
Barrels:52 caliber
Rate:4–6 rounds/min (SH-15)
Range: (conventional projectile) [1]
Max Range: (rocket-assisted projectile)
Breech:Semi-automatic vertical wedge type breech block
Elevation:Around 20° to 70° (except for front due to cab)
Traverse:360°
Primary Armament:PLL-01 155 mm howitzer gun
Engine:diesel
Drive:6×6
Speed:[2]

The PCL-181 is a Chinese truck-mounted, 155 mm self-propelled howitzer used by the People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF).[3] The designation "PCL" is an acronym derived from pinyin .

Development

The PCL-181 made its first public appearance during the 70th Chinese National Day Parade on 1 October 2019.[4]

It was designed to replace the 152 mm PL-66 towed gun-howitzer and the 130 mm Type 59-1 towed field guns used by the PLAGF and will complement the PLZ-05, and improve upon its functionality in many ways.

Design

Armament

The gun has a 52-caliber barrel and is exactly the same as that of the PLZ-05 self-propelled howitzer. It has a maximum firing range of up to with conventional ammunition and with extended range ammunition. The gun can also fire laser-guided munition which is capable of all-weather operation.[5] Each vehicle can carry 27 rounds of ammunition.[6]

The vehicle features semi-automatic ammo reload, where the operator places the shell on the loading arm and the loading arm loads the round into the breech.

The PCL-181 is equipped with an automatic fire-control system. Following the operator's input of a target's azimuth data, the vehicle-mounted computer can calculate the trajectory of the artillery, and automatically lay the gun.

Mobility

The PCL-181 is based on Taian GM's 6×6 truck chassis.[7]

Due to its comparatively lighter weight of 25 tons, the PCL-181 can also be transported in a Shaanxi Y-9.

Variants

PCL-181
  • PLA designation
    SH-15
  • Export designation

    Deployment

    According to state media reports, most of the country's five military jurisdictions, known as theater commands, have been equipped with PCL-181 155 mm vehicle-mounted howitzers.[8]

    In June 2020, it was reported that the PCL-181 had been deployed in the Tibet Autonomous Region amid tensions with India.

    In February 2021, it was reported that at least 18 PCL-181s had been inducted into the PLAGF's Xinjiang Military Command.

    Pakistan

    In 2019, Pakistan signed a contract for 236 SH-15s.[2] Deliveries started in January 2022, and the SH-15s participated in the Pakistan Day parade on March 23, 2022.[2] As per sources, Pakistan may have acquired TOT to further build these self-propelled howitzers locally at Heavy Industries Taxila.[9] Pakistan acquired it in response to India's acquisition of the K9 thunder self-propelled howitzer.[1]

    The SH-15s are Pakistan Army's first 155 mm/52-caliber gun.[10] It is capable of firing VLAP rounds that have a range of 50km. For example, Pakistan ordered 1,332 VLAP in 2017, and acquired ToT to produce further VLAP shells domestically.[11] It can also fire laser-homing, satellite-guided, and top-attack projectiles.[10] These guided shells are cheaper than the guided rockets in Pakistan's inventory. Finally, it can also reportedly fire nuclear artillery.[1] The SH-15's chassis reportedly performs well off-road, but not in more demanding terrain.[10]

    Operators

    In China's PLAGF, each group army commands one artillery brigade which doctrinally includes two self-propelled or towed artillery (122 mm, 152 mm, or 155 mm) battalions, each of which comprises three batteries of four to six howitzers each.[12]

    Current operators

    630 units as of 2022.[14]

    Satellite imagery confirms the arrival of at least 32 SH-15 self-propelled howitzers.[16]

    150[17]

    Notes and References

    1. News: In a first, Pakistan showcases nuclear-capable SH-15 howitzer in national day parade . 2022-03-23. Daily Pakistan.
    2. News: China's Norinco delivers SH-15 howitzers to Pakistan.
    3. Web site: Wang . Xinjuan . 7 May 2020 . PCL-181 brings great improvement for PLA artillery troops . China Military . 2020-06-21.
    4. Web site: 11 June 2020 . Chinese PLA Commissions PCL-181 Vehicle-mounted Howitzer in Southern Border with India . DefenseWorld.net . 2020-06-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200611223552/https://www.defenseworld.net/news/27183/Chinese_PLA_Commissions_PCL_181_Vehicle_mounted_Howitzer_in_Southern_Border_with_India#.XuKx1HYZu5c . 11 June 2020 . dead.
    5. Web site: 12 August 2021 . zh:"最强卡车炮"实射激光末制导炮弹画面曝光,行驶中的靶标被一发打爆 . The "strongest truck gun" live-fired laser terminal-guided projectiles were exposed, and the moving target was blown up in one shot . https://www.sohu.com/a/482976194_120823584 . . zh . 27 March 2023.
    6. Web site: 8 September 2020 . Analysis: Top most modern 6x6 wheeled self-propelled howitzers . Army Recognition . 27 March 2023.
    7. Web site: PCL-181 155mm self-propelled howitzer . . 27 March 2023.
    8. News: Liu. Zhen. 29 June 2020 . The cheap, light howitzer China is rolling out in Tibet . South China Morning Post. 27 March 2023.
    9. PTV News . PTV News . PTVNewsOfficial . 1503590781122142210 . 15 March 2022. آرمی چیف جنرل قمر جاوید باجوہ کا دورہ لاہور ۔آرمی چیف کی کور آف آرٹلری میں SH-15 آرٹلری گنز کی شمولیت کی تقریب میں شرکت۔آرمی چیف کا مستقبل میں جنگ کے چیلنجوں سے نمٹنے کے لیے اس جدید ترین ہتھیاروں کے نظام کی شمولیت پر اظہار اطمینان. Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa's visit to Lahore. Army Chief's participation in induction ceremony of SH-15 Artillery Guns in Corps of Artillery. Expression of satisfaction. ur. 27 March 2023.
    10. News: The Pakistan Army is Evolving its Strike Capabilities. 2022-02-06. Bilal Khan.
    11. News: Monthly Defense News Recap: January 2022.
    12. Book: 2021 . Chinese Tactics . Arlington, VA . . 27 March 2023.
    13. Web site: Dominguez . Gabriel . Cazalet . Mark . 11 May 2021 . Norinco's PCL-181 SPH in service with PLAGF's 80th Group Army . Janes . 27 March 2023.
    14. Book: International Institute for Strategic Studies. International Institute for Strategic Studies. Hackett . James . 2023. The Military Balance 2023. London. Routledge. 239. 978-1-032-50895-5.
    15. Web site: SH-15 155 mm Self-Propelled Howitzer . Military-Today.com . 27 March 2023.
    16. Web site: Gerjon . 21 January 2023. Chinese SH-15 howitzers for Ethiopia . Gerjon's Aircraft Finds . 27 March 2023 . Substack.
    17. https://web.archive.org/web/20141129025311/http://www.asiapacificdefencereporter.com/order-of-battle/myanmar