PL-96 (Type 96) Chinese 122mm Towed Howitzer
PL-96 (Type 96) Chinese 122mm Towed Howitzer
Towed Gun
Other
Basic Information
Name
PL-96 (Type 96) Chinese 122mm Towed Howitzer
Designation
PL-96 (Type 96) Chinese 122mm Towed Howitzer
Alternate Designation
PL-96 (Type 96) Chinese 122mm Towed Howitzer
Equipment Type
Towed Gun
Manufacturer
—
Date of Introduction
1996
Description
The PL-96 (Type 96) Chinese 122mm Towed Howitzer is a copy of the Soviet D-30 howitzer. It is also referred as Type 96. It is a slightly improved version of the Type 86 howitzer.
Ground Specifications
Crew
5
Variants
Type 89
Type 89 is a tracked 122 mm artillery system with the 122 mm ordnance. Actually it uses ordnance of the older Type 86 howitzer. Since the late 1970s a number of 122 mm self-propelled howitzers were developed in China to meet Chinese Army requirements. The PLA required mobile artillery system to provide medium- to long-range indirect fire support for motorized infantry and armored troops and capable of keeping pace with them. However none of them could meet these requirements. The Type 89, also known as the PLZ89, was developed in late 1980s. It was Chinese attempt to develop indigenous self-propelled howitzer with similar capabilities to the Soviet 2S1 Gvosdika. The Type 89 is currently in service with Chinese Army and Marines. Several hundred of these artillery systems were built. Currently these are being replaced by the PLZ-07 and PLZ-07B self-propelled howitzers.
SH-3
SH-3 is a tracked artillery system. It is an improved version of the Type 89, developed mainly for export. It can be seen as a China's newly-built equivalent to the Soviet 2S1 Gvosdika. It offers greater mobility, improved fire control system and delivers greater firepower than the 2S1 or the Type 89 self-propelled howitzers.
PLZ-07
PLZ-07 is a version of the SH-3, adopted by the Chinese army. It is a successor to the Type 89 self-propelled howitzer. It was adopted in the late 2000s and first publicly revealed in 2009. The PLZ-07 is being fielded by the Chinese army in large numbers. This artillery system is not amphibious, though it seems that it might be fitted with floatation kit in order to ford inland rivers and lakes.
PLZ-07B
PLZ-07B is an amphibious self-propelled howitzer, used by China's marine corps. This artillery system is fully amphibious. It has a boat-like hull for improved floatation and is fitted with a trim vane and two waterjets. Though it uses a similar turret as the SH-3 and PLZ-07. The PLZ-07B can be launched at sea from amphibious assault ships and swim over short distances to shore.
SH-2
SH-2 is another truck-mounted howitzer. It is based on a 6x6 light utility truck chassis and uses ordnance of the PL-96. This artillery system was first publicly revealed in 2007. It was aimed mainly at export customers. However it received no production orders.
PCL-09
PCL-09 is a truck-mounted howitzer. It is based on a Shaanxi 6x6 military truck and uses ordnance of the PL-96. This artillery system was adopted in around 2009 and is widely used by Chinese army.
PLL-09
PLL-09 is a self-propelled artillery system, which is based on a ZBL-09 Snow Leopard armored personnel carrier chassis with 8x8 configuration. This self-propelled howitzer is widely used by the China's army. A number of these systems are used by China's marines. It provides indirect fire support for rapid deployment brigades. The PLL-09 has good cross-country mobility and is capable of keeping pace with main battle tanks.
CS/SH-1
CS/SH-1 airport able truck-mounted howitzer, intended for airborne forces. It also utilizes modified ordnance of the PL-96, mounted on an open-top 4x4 truck. This artillery system can be airdropped. It was first publicly revealed in 2014.
SH-4
SH-4 is a recent truck-mounted artillery system, which utilizes modified ordnance of the PL-96 122 mm howitzer, based on a 4x4 military truck chassis with an armored cab.
System
Alternative Designation
PL-96 (Type 96) Chinese 122mm Towed Howitzer
Type
Towed Howitzer
Caliber
122 mm
Crew
5 ea
Towing vehicles
This field howitzer is towed by a 6x6 truck. It is typically seen towed by Dongfeng EQ2102 or Shaanxi SX2150 trucks, that also carry crew and ammunition.
Displacement Time
1.5 - 2.5 minutes
Emplacement Time
1.5 - 2.5 minutes
Maximum Range of Fire
18 - 27 km
Maximum Rate of Fire
6 - 8 rpm
Sustained Rate of Fire
1 - 2 rpm
Elevation Range
- 7 to + 70 degrees
Traverse Range
360 degrees
Dimensions
Length (in traveling order)
5.4 m
Barrel Length
32 calibers
Gun Bore
122 mm
Weight, Combat
3.2 kg
Ammunition
Name
INA
Type
Projectile
Caliber
122 mm
Basic Load
INA
Types of Projectiles
A whole family of 122 mm ammunition is produced in China for its artillery system. This howitzer fires High Explosive (HE), High Explosive Fragmentation (HE-FRAG), cargo, incendiary, smoke, illumination, and possibly other types of shells.
Compatibility
The PCL-09 is compatible with all standard 122 mm ammunition of Russian D-30 howitzer.
HE-FRAG Projectile Maximum Range of Fire
18 km
Extended-Range Projectile Maximum Range of Fire
21 km
Rocket Assisted Projectile Maximum Range of Fire
27 km
Laser-Guided Projectile Capable
Yes
HE Projectile Penetration
180 mm of steel armor
HEAT Projectile Penetration
Around 450-500 mm of steel armor
Fire Control
Computerized FCS
No
Direct Fire
Yes
Indirect Fire
Yes
Details
Country of Origin
China
Category
Towed Gun/Howitzer Artillery Systems
Land > Artillery > Towed Gun/Howitzer Artillery Systems
Filter Label
P
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
—
Width
—
Height
—
Weight
3.2 kg
Operators (2)
China
Bangladesh
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