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Type 63 MLRS

1963 COLD WAR MODERN

History

In the 1960s, China followed other countries and introduced a towed artillery delivery system, inspired by its experience with similar Soviet weapons. Design work began in 1961, followed by production at the 847 State Factory in 1963.

The weapon was used relatively widely around the world and was part of several conflicts during this period - including recent conflicts such as the 2011 Libyan Civil War and the 2011 Syrian Civil War. Later a self-propelled version appeared, installed on Nanjing NJ-230 series trucks under the designation "Type 81 SPMRL 107mm".

Local production is also carried out in Egypt, Iran, North Korea, South Africa, Sudan and Turkey - all under the corresponding names (see list of variants).

In PLA service, the Type 63 replaced the smaller and aging inventory of the Type 60-5 102mm rocket projection system. Although some special forces in the Chinese military have stockpiled this weapon, it is not widely used by the regular armed forces today (2014).

As planned, the total weight of the Model 63 is 1,327 lbs. It is arranged as a traditional battlefield artillery with a towable two-wheeled frame assembly to which the mounting hardware supporting the platform is attached. Lift and roll functions are built in as a series of handwheels for precise aiming. The entire unit is 2.9 meters long, 1.65 meters wide and 0.9 meters high. Such a compact size is critical to the force's battlefield capability and portability.

A typical crew consists of five people, and reloading is limited by the accompanying ammunition supply vehicle or transporter.

The system arranges a 12-tube launcher assembly that sees three rows of four tubes widely spaced. Single-barrel firing 106.7 mm (107 mm) rockets with HE (High Explosive), HE-I (High Explosive, Incendiary) or HE-FRAG (High Explosive, Fragmentation) warheads that can easily counter armored vehicles and infantry are suitable . As a lethal weapon, the Type 63 can deliver a massive lethal blow, as well as a devastating psychological impact.

Although somewhat inaccurate in flight when launched individually, these missiles are best used for area saturation. Rockets can leave the launch tube in seconds and be launched individually or in salvos.

The transmitter assembly allows an inherent elevation range of -3 to +57 and a lateral 32 degrees from the centerline. The launch velocity of the missile is reported to be 1,260 feet per second, while the maximum range is about 5 miles.

The launcher assembly can also be detached from the single-axle mount and attached to almost any type of wheeled or tracked vehicle to form a mobile weapons platform.

A light variant was also developed as the "63-I" type and used by the Chinese Airborne Forces as an air transportable weapon system. Since airborne troops have historically been lightly armed combat units, this man-portable weapon system has proven to be a godsend when fighting behind enemy lines.