NORINCO PLZ-45 (Type 88)

History

The NORINCO PZL-45, possibly inspired by the American M109 series of self-propelled artillery systems, is a relatively new addition to the category. Produced by China North Industries Corporation, the car was first introduced to the public in 1988 after several years of design and development.

Since the vehicle is designed to fire NATO-standard projectiles, it is understood that the PLZ45 is only intended for export, as the Chinese military does not officially meet NATO-standard ammunition. Therefore, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are the only known operators of this type.

The PLZ45 is manufactured in a Chinese state-owned factory, and the design is credited to the University of Science and Technology Beijing.

Chinese engineers did what they did best and learned a lot by licensing foreign weapons, stealing information, and redesigning existing systems to build a globally recognized domestic defense industry. Externally, the PLZ45 relies heavily on the look of the 1960s American M109. The system consists of a full-track chassis designed for the PLZ45 system with a box-shaped turret at the rear. The track includes 6 dual tire wheels with a front drive sprocket and a rear idler. Three pulleys guide the upper part of the rail.

The wheel pairs are different, with the last pair close together and the front pair separated. The hull has vertical board sides, and the glacis boards are very sloping, almost vertical, just like the M109. The engine was mounted on the right front of the fuselage and was sucked in through a shielded port, forcing the pilot in the front left position of the fuselage.

The turret houses a four-man rifle group, gun mount, recoil and recoil system, and a barrel with access hatches along the roof panel. The sides of the turret are only slightly sloped, while the front fairing is more exaggerated for basic ballistic protection. All hull and turret structures are considered conventional welded steel. The car weighs 33,000 kg and is powered by a 525 hp air-cooled turbocharged Deutz diesel engine.

This enables the vehicle to reach a top speed of 56 kilometers per hour and a range of approximately 450 kilometers. Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBA) protection is considered standard equipment on the PLZ45, as well as a fire suppression system to protect the crew inside.

The 155mm/45 caliber WAC-21 main gun (presumably based on the Austrian-made 155mm WAC-021 towed field gun) protrudes above the front hull and is clamped during travel. The weapon is calibrated by an optical and automatic positioning system that locates itself digitally through an internal GPS navigation system.

The recoil system is clearly visible from the outside of the vehicle at the base of the weapon. The muzzle is fitted with a smooth or three-walled muzzle brake. In the center of the barrel assembly is a smoke vent. The turret design allows for a full 360 degree traverse, +72 to -3 degree elevation, and fires regardless of the current hull orientation.

The main gun can reach a target area approximately 39 kilometers away, and a trained crew can achieve a reported rate of fire of 5 rounds per minute. Loading is achieved by an electronically controlled semi-automatic mechanism with hydraulic powered rammers (the load is loaded manually). The rammer can also be operated independently of the current gun altitude, providing tactical flexibility for the crew. All onboard ammunition consists of 30 x 155mm shells, 24 of which are stored in the turret for easy access by the crew.

Ammunition types range from standard high-explosive fragmentation (HI-FRAG) projectiles to "extended range" types, as well as basic flares and smoke bombs. The PLZ45 family also allows the use of guided munitions, making it comparable to any SPA currently in use and based on acquired Russian technology.

Ammunition can be supplied by the included ammunition carrier based on the turretless PLZ45 chassis (supplied by NORINCO as a complete artillery package to interested customers), but with a fixed superstructure installed.

Self-defense is provided by 1 x 12.7mm W85 series heavy machine gun, suitable for use against enemy forces, light armored vehicles and low-flying aircraft. The 480x12.7mm cartridge is supplied with this gun and can optionally be mounted along the top of the turret.

Two rows of four grenade launchers, each allowing the vehicle itself to develop a smoke screen for offensive operations or tactical retreat.

The PLZ45 is considered to have advantages over the American M109, despite the former using a heavier frame, longer main gun and more powerful engine. Kuwait became the first customer for this Norinco product and placed the order in 1997 after considering several options. The prototypes were then delivered in full with field service support in China, and an additional 74 vehicles were ordered.

Saudi Arabia's commitment to buy China's PLZ45 SPA in 2007 will bring about 54 examples to the oil-rich country.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

for everyone else in our database)

Armor

30 x 155 mm projectile.

480x12.7mm ammo.

8 x Smoke Grenade.

Changes