Artillery / Self-propelled howitzers / PLZ45
PLZ45
General Facts
- TYPE
Self-propelled howitzer - ORIGIN
China
- NICKNAMES
Type 88 - DESIGNED
1980's - DESIGNER
NORINCO - PRODUCTION
1997 - present - PRODUCERS
China - NORINCO
- QUANTITY
Over 100 - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Good range
Limited rate of fire
Limited amount of ammunition
Introduction
The PLZ45 is a tracked 155mm self-propelled howitzer of Chinese origin. The PLZ45 was developed as a replacement for the aging Type 83 howitzer. Eventually the Chinese armed forces settled on the PLZ05, which is a further development of the PLZ45.
Layout
The PLZ45 is based on a new tracked chassis. The engine and drive train are mounted at the front and the fully enclosed turret is fitted at the rear. The crew of five consists of a commander, driver, gunner and two loaders.
Firepower
The PLZ45 is fitted with a 45-caliber 155mm howitzer capable of firing NATO standard ammunition, although Chinese ammunition is supplied with it. A semi-automatic loader is fitted and holds 24 out of the 30 rounds that are carried in the vehicle. The maximum rate of fire is 4 to 5 rounds per minute, with sustained fire being 2 rounds a minute. Standard ERFB rounds can be fired up to 30km and base bleed variants up to 39km. For self defense a 12.7mm heavy machine gun is mounted on the turret roof.
Protection
The PLZ45 is operated under full armor protection. The steel armor gives protection against small arms fire and shell splinters. NBC and fire suppression systems are fitted. No smoke dischargers are fitted.
Mobility
With its tracked chassis the PLZ 45 has good cross country performance, although its average speed is somewhat limited. The PLZ45 is powered by a 525hp Deutz diesel engine and an auxiliary power unit provides power when the engine is not running.
Users
The PLZ45 is meant for export with the more capable PLZ05 being adopted by Chinese forces. Kuwait bought the entire PLZ45 artillery system with all associated vehicles and ammunition.
PLZ45
The PLZ45 is a tracked self-propelled howitzer. Only a single version of the howitzer exists. The PLZ45 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 155mm L/45 howitzer connected to a semi-automatic loader and a 12.7mm heavy machinegun for self defense.
- Specifications:
- PLZ45
Type | Self-propelled howitzer |
---|---|
Crew | 5 (commander, driver, gunner, 2 loaders) |
Length | 6.1 m (hull), 10.52 m (gun forward) |
Width | 3.3 m |
Height | 2.6 m (turret roof), 3.52 m (with MG) |
Ground clearance | 0.45 m |
Weight | 29 t unloaded, 33 t combat load |
Ground pressure | ? |
Wheelbase | Tracked chassis, 6 roadwheels, drive sprocket front, idler rear |
Turn radius | ? |
Engine | Deutz BF12 L413FC supercharged diesel, 525 hp |
Power ratio | 15.9 hp/t |
---|---|
Transmission | Manual, 6 forward, 1 reverse |
Speed | 55 km/h |
Fuel | ? |
Range | 450 km |
Wall | 0.7 m |
Trench | 2.7 m |
Gradient | 58% gradient, 47% slope |
Fording | 1.2 m |
Armor | Steel |
NBC equipment | Yes |
Night vision | Yes |
---|---|
Smoke | 2x4 smoke grenade dischargers |
Remarks | - |
Armament | 155mm L/45 howitzer 12.7mm W85 heavy machine gun |
Weapon1 | 155mm L/45 howitzer 30 rounds -3 to +72° elevation, powered 360° traverse, powered non-stabilized |
Weapon2 | 12.7mm W85 heavy machine gun on turret roof 480 rounds manual traverse and elevation non-stabilized |
Weapon3 | - |
Weapon4 | - |
Weapon5 | - |
Weapon6 | - |
PCZ45
The PCZ45 is a ammunition resupply vehicle that accompanies the PLZ45. The PCZ45 is based on the same chassis, but instead of a turret a fixed superstructure is fitted.
- Specifications:
- PCZ45
Type | Ammunition carrier |
---|---|
Crew | ? |
Length | 6 m |
Width | 3.3 m |
Height | ? |
Ground clearance | 0.45 m |
Weight | ? |
Ground pressure | ? |
Wheelbase | Tracked chassis, 6 roadwheels, drive sprocket front, idler rear |
Turn radius | ? |
Engine | ? |
Power ratio | ? |
---|---|
Transmission | ? |
Speed | 55 km/h |
Fuel | ? |
Range | 450 km |
Wall | 0.7 m |
Trench | 2.7 m |
Gradient | ? |
Fording | 1.2 m |
Armor | Steel |
NBC equipment | Yes |
Night vision | Yes |
---|---|
Smoke | 1x8 smoke grenade dischargers |
Remarks | - |
Armament | 12.7mm W85 heavy machine gun |
Weapon1 | 12.7mm W85 heavy machine gun on roof manual traverse and elevation non-stabilized |
Weapon2 | - |
Weapon3 | - |
Weapon4 | - |
Weapon5 | - |
Weapon6 | - |