Artillery / Multiple rocket launchers / PHZ89
PHZ89
General Facts
- TYPE
Multiple rocket launcher - ORIGIN
China - NICKNAMES
Type 89 (original designation) - DESIGNED
1985 - 1986 - DESIGNER
Norinco - PRODUCTION
1990 - mid 1990's - PRODUCERS
China - Norinco - QUANTITY
Unknown - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Well protected for a MRL
Good cross country mobility
Carries second ammunition load
More expensive than truck based systems
Limited firing range
Limited road and off road speed
Introduction
The PHZ89 is a multiple rocket launcher of Chinese origin. It was developed in the mid 1980's to fulfill the need for a multiple rocket launcher that could keep up with main battle tanks in the field. At first this system was known as the Type 89, but with the Chinese redesignation of combat vehicles it is now known as the PHZ89.
Layout
The PHZ89 is based on the tracked Type 321 chassis which is also used by several other Chinese combat vehicles. At the rear of this vehicle a turret platform with standard 40 round 122mm rocket launcher is fitted. At the side of this platform there a small box that houses the gunner and anti-aircraft machinegun. In front of the launcher a box with second ammunition load is located, which significantly increases the reload speed.
Firepower
The PZH89 fires 122mm spin stabilized rockets of the same pattern as used in the Soviet BM-21 Grad and a wide variety of warheads is available. The launcher holds 40 rockets that can be ripple fired in 20 seconds. A second load of 40 missiles can be reloaded in only a few minutes. The standard rockets have a range of 20 km and models with a range of 30 and 40 km have been developed, although it is unknown if the PHZ89 can use them or if they are restricted to newer designs. A 12.7mm QJC88 heavy machine gun is mounted for self-defense.
Protection
The PHZ89 is operated under full armor protection, unless the roof mounted 12.7mm QJC88 heavy machine gun is used. The steel armor protects the crew from small arms fire and shell splinters. There are no smoke grenade launchers and a NBC and and fire supression system are both not present.
Mobility
The tracked chassis provides the PHZ89 with a good off road capability, albeit at low speeds. A Deutz 520 hp diesel engine provides propulsion. The maximum speed is 55 km/h on roads and around 30 km/h in the field.
Users
The PHZ89 is only used by China and was never exported due to its high cost and complexity compared with truck mounted systems. It replaced the earlier 130mm Type 70 that was based on the YW-531 chassis. The PHZ89 was not produced in the same quantity as truck mounted Type 81 and it is only found in armored divisions.
PHZ89
The PHZ89 is a tracked 122mm multiple rocket launcher that is easily identified since it is a unique concept. The chassis is shared with the PGZ89 tank destroyer and Type 83 self-propelled 152mm howitzer. There are no variants.
- Specifications:
- PHZ89
Type | Multiple rocket launcher |
---|---|
Crew | 5 |
Length | 6.85 m (hull), 7.18 m (overall) |
Width | 3.15 m |
Height | 3.18 m (overall) |
Ground clearance | 0.45 m |
Weight | 29.9 t combat load |
Ground pressure | ? |
Wheelbase | Tracked chassis, 6 roadwheels, drive sprocket front, idler rear, 4.61 m length, 0.48 m width, 2.62 m track |
Turn radius | ? |
Engine | Deutz Type 12150L diesel, 520 hp |
Power ratio | 17.4 hp/t |
---|---|
Transmission | ? |
Speed | 55 km/h max, 40 km/h average on road, 30 km/h cross country |
Fuel | 885 L |
Range | 450 km |
Wall | 0.7 m |
Trench | 2.6 m |
Gradient | 60% gradient, 30% slope |
Fording | 1.3 m |
Armor | Steel |
NBC equipment | No |
Night vision | Yes |
---|---|
Smoke | No |
Remarks | - |
Armament | 122mm Grad missile launcher (40x) 12.7mm QJC-88 heavy machine gun |
Weapon1 | 122mm Grad 40-round missile launcher 80 rounds, 40 ready to fire 0 to +55° elevation 102° left and 66° right traverse non-stabilized |
Weapon2 | 12.7mm QJC-88 heavy machine gun on turret roof manual traverse and elevation non-stabilized |
Weapon3 | - |
Weapon4 | - |
Weapon5 | - |
Weapon6 | - |