Steel Rain airburst munition

History

Steel Rain is a Chinese airburst munition demonstrated by the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force for use with PCL-191 multiple-launch rocket systems.

The munition is intended to suppress personnel and lightly protected equipment by detonating above the target area and dispersing large quantities of high-velocity metal fragments.

Steel Rain was publicly demonstrated in 2026 during training-range footage in which several rockets detonated above the ground and spread fragments across the area below. The available information indicates an area-suppression role rather than use against hardened facilities.

Design

Steel Rain uses an airburst effect. Instead of relying on penetration of a hardened target, the munition detonates above the target area and disperses high-velocity metal fragments over the ground below.

The demonstrated munition was fired from PCL-191 multiple-launch rocket systems. The available source does not provide its caliber, rocket dimensions, warhead weight, fuze design, range, or other detailed technical characteristics.

Its stated intended targets include personnel and lightly protected equipment. The demonstrated fragmentation pattern indicates that its primary function is area suppression rather than penetration of hardened structures.

Program status

The People’s Liberation Army Ground Force demonstrated Steel Rain munitions with PCL-191 launchers in 2026. The available information confirms the demonstration but does not establish a production quantity, formal service-entry date, or operational deployment history.

Specifications (Steel Rain airburst munition)

General characteristics

• Type: Airburst artillery munition
• Country of origin: China
• Demonstrated launch system: PCL-191 multiple-launch rocket system
• Primary effect: Dispersal of large quantities of high-velocity metal fragments after detonation above the target area
• Intended targets: Personnel and lightly protected equipment