The PLL-05 is a Chinese self-propelled gun-mortar in use by Chinese mechanised infantry formations. Conceptually it is similar to the Russian 2S23 "Nona-SVK" (the turret and weapon system of the 2S9 Nona mounted on a BTR-80 chassis) three of which China purchased for evaluation; at one time it was reported that China would purchase 100 of the Russian vehicles[2] however this failed to occur, nor does it appear that there was a formal transfer of technology to China. The Chinese system features a longer barreled weapon mounted on the Type 92 variant of the WZ551 armored personnel carrier.
| PLL-05 Self-Propelled Gun-Mortar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Self-propelled gun-mortar |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| Used by | China |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1999–2003 |
| Manufacturer | Norinco |
| Produced | 2005–present |
| No. built | 500+[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 16.5 t (16.2 long tons; 18.2 short tons) |
| Length | 663 cm (261 in) |
| Width | 280 cm (110 in) |
| Height | 320 cm (130 in) |
| Crew | 4 |
Main armament | 120mm gun-mortar |
Secondary armament | QJC-88 12.7×108mm HMG |
| Engine | Diesel 240 kW (320 hp) |
Operational range | 720 km (450 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 80 km/h (50 mph) |
This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2019) |
The gun-mortar is a lighter and more compact artillery piece than the traditional gun-howitzer at the expense of maximum range, which has improved accuracy, a higher rate of fire, and having the capability of using direct fire in comparison to standard infantry mortars.
Description
edit
The main armament of the PLL-05 is a 120 mm gun-mortar in a turret capable of 360° traverse, this turret being mounted on a 6x6 WZ551 armored personnel carrier chassis. The mortar has an elevation range of -4° to +80° and is capable of both direct and indirect fire. It is fitted with an autoloader and can be fired in fully automatic, semi-automatic and fully manual modes, the maximum rate of fire being around 8-10 rounds per minute, with a sustained rate of fire being about 4-6 rounds per minute. Ammunition capacity is 36 rounds and include mortar shells for indirect fire and anti-tank shells for direct fire, maximum range with standard mortar rounds being about 9 km (5.6 mi). Secondary armament is a 12.7×108mm QJC-88 heavy machine gun mounted on the turret roof. The crew of four consists of the vehicle commander, gunner, loader and driver. Mobility of the PPL-05 is similar to that of that base WZ551 and the vehicle can swim by way of two rear-mounted propellers.[3]
History
editThe existence of the PLL-05 was first revealed in 2001[2] with the system entering service some years later. The PLL-05 was one of the systems that participated in the military parade as part of the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China celebrations.
The turret of the PLL-05 was reused on the Type 07PA, a self-propelled gun designed for export.[4]
Operators
edit
- People's Liberation Army Ground Force - approximately 500 units of PLL-05 as of 2021.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b International Institute for Strategic Studies (2021). The Military Balance 2021. Routledge. p. 251. ISBN 9781032012278.
- ^ a b "WZ-551 Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier Type 92/90". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
- ^ "PLL-05". Military Today.
- ^ "Type 07PA Self-Propelled Mortar System | Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com.
- The Chinese and Russian articles on this subject were used as the basis for performance details in this article
External links
edit
Media related to PLL-05 at Wikimedia Commons