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NORINCO SR-5

2013 MODERN

History of NORINCO SR-5

The Multiple Rocket Launcher (MLRS) has been a staple of the Army since World War II (1939-1945), when this projected firepower proved its worth in many battles in Europe. The Soviets were major proponents of the MLRS cause, popularized by its basic but effective line of "Katyusha" vehicles deep into the Eastern Front.

During the Cold War, the Katyusha system was further developed accordingly, which created a number of related types of ammunition that could fire large quantities of ammunition. A long-time Soviet customer, the Chinese adopted many of the same shapes and have since designed and developed other in-house solutions - marked by the SR-5.

The car entered service in 2013.

The SR-5 uses a 6x6 wheeled truck chassis for the front nacelle and rear launcher unit. The launcher unit is mounted on a movable platform that, despite the orientation of the truck itself, provides an inherently high range to attack the target area from any angle.

The launcher accommodates two types of launchers, 122mm and 220mm, and within these calibers, rockets can be of high-explosive (HE), smoke, lighting, incendiary, chemical, biological and nuclear payload types. The 122mm pod can hold up to 20 missiles, while the 220mm pod version can carry 6 missiles.

The SR-5 is designed to provide the Chinese military with a self-sufficient combat support vehicle. The truck carries its own powered crane system to manage the reloading of the rocket pod. It supports its own crew of five, including the driver.

Upon reaching a specific target area, the system lowers the auxiliary recoil strut, manages the onboard fire control computer, and extinguishes its missile payload within minutes. It can then move to another area, hit a supply vehicle, and start the process all over again.