Artillery / Self-propelled howitzers / PLZ07
PLZ07
General Facts
- TYPE
Self-propelled howitzer - ORIGIN
China
- NICKNAMES
PLZ07
Type 07 - DESIGNED
Early 2000's - DESIGNER
NORINCO - PRODUCTION
2008 - present - PRODUCERS
China - NORINCO
- QUANTITY
Unknown - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Good mobility
Ammunition commonality with D-30
Good level of protection
Limited range
Introduction
The PLZ07 is a modern self-propelled howitzer of Chinese origin. It was developed in the early 2000's to supplement and replace the older 122mm self-propelled howitzers in Chinese service.
Layout
The PLZ07 is based on a new tracked chassis. The engine is in the front with the driver to the left. The other four crewmembers are the commander, gunner and two loaders. They are seated in the turret at the rear. Three roof hatches allows them to enter the vehicle. A large rear hatch is used for loading ammunition.
Firepower
The main armament is the 122mm howitzer that is of similar design as the Russian D-30. The effective range and rate of fire presumed similar to the towed version. This would be 15.4 km with standard HE-Frag shells at a maximum of 7 rounds per minute. A Chinese rocket assisted round is capable of reaching 21.9 km. For self-defense a 12.7mm QJC88 heavy machine gun is fitted at the turret roof.
Protection
The PLZ07 is operated under full armor protection. The steel armor protects the crew from small arms fire and shell splinters. NBC and fire suppression systems are fitted. A total of 12 smoke dischargers are fitted at the turret sides.
Mobility
The PLZ07 is based on a tracked chassis and has a reasonable cross country performance. A 590 hp diesel engine provides propulsion, allowing for a road speed of 65 km/h. There is no mention of an APU. It is probable that the PLZ07 is amphibious.
Users
The PLZ07 is in use with the Chinese armed forces. Although designed to replace all older 122mm self-propelled howitzers it is likely that only systems older than the PLZ89 will be replaced. These include the Type 70 and Type 85. The PLZ07 is not offered for export.
PLZ07
The PLZ07 is a tracked self-propelled howitzer. Only a single version exists. The PLZ07 has a conventional layout with the driver and engine in the front of the hull and the turret with the other four crew members in the rear of the hull. The armament consists of a 122mm D-30 howitzer and a 12.7mm heavy machinegun for self defense.
- Specifications:
- PLZ07
Type | Self-propelled howitzer |
---|---|
Crew | 5 (commander, driver, gunner, 2 loaders) |
Length | 6.66 m |
Width | 3.28 m |
Height | 2.5 m |
Ground clearance | ? |
Weight | 24.5 t |
Ground pressure | ? |
Wheelbase | Tracked chassis, 6 roadwheels, drive sprocket front, idler rear |
Turn radius | ? |
Engine | 590 hp diesel |
Power ratio | 24.1 hp/t |
---|---|
Transmission | ? |
Speed | 65 km/h on road |
Fuel | ? |
Range | 500 km |
Wall | ? |
Trench | ? |
Gradient | ? |
Fording | ? |
Armor | Steel |
NBC equipment | Yes |
Night vision | Yes? |
---|---|
Smoke | 2x6 smoke grenade dischargers |
Remarks | - |
Armament | 122mm howitzer 12.7mm W85 heavy machine gun |
Weapon1 | 122mm howitzer 360° traverse |
Weapon2 | 12.7mm W85 heavy machine gun on turret roof manual traverse and elevation non-stabilized |
Weapon3 | - |
Weapon4 | - |
Weapon5 | - |
Weapon6 | - |