Self-propelled howitzer PLZ-05B enters service with the PLA
Self-propelled guns PLZ-05B under testing, 2020
The People's Liberation Army of China has a large number of modern self-propelled barrel artillery, and its systematic development is being carried out. In order to update the fleet, new models are being developed, such as the PLZ-05B self-propelled gun, which became famous several years ago. It is noticeably different from previous vehicles of its class and, obviously, has significant advantages in tactical and technical characteristics.
Development and modernization
At the moment, the main self-propelled gun of the Chinese army in 155 mm caliber is the PLZ-05(A), which was put into service in the second half of the XNUMXs. Soon after such equipment entered service with the troops, assumptions arose about the fundamental possibility of its modernization with an increase in all the main characteristics. However, for several years this version did not receive confirmation.
As we now know, the Chinese industry nevertheless carried out a deep modernization of the PLZ-05 product. The project was completed in the second half of the 2020s, and no later than 05, experimental equipment was built and brought to the test site. How this self-propelled gun is positioned and designated officially is still unknown. However, in foreign sources it, by analogy with the previous model, was temporarily called PLZ-XNUMXB.
Reliable information about the existence of the PLZ-05B project and an experimental self-propelled gun appeared at the end of 2020. Then the first pictures of an unknown self-propelled howitzer, vaguely reminiscent of the serial PLZ-05, appeared on Chinese specialized blogs. The photographs showed the car on the ground and in the parking lot, with and without a camouflage cover on the turret.
Self-propelled gun on a tank carrier, 2021
Subsequently, new photos of the promising self-propelled guns were made publicly available several times. In addition, in 2021, for the first time, random witnesses managed to film a transport-loading vehicle combined with a self-propelled gun. The latest images of the alleged PLZ-05B appeared about a month ago. As has happened before, armored vehicles were photographed while being transported along a public road on a tank trawl.
It is unknown at what stage the PLZ-05B project is now. It is obvious that the experimental equipment has already been taken to the test site, and in addition, vehicles are regularly transported in different directions. At the same time, it cannot be said that the self-propelled gun and the loading vehicle for it reached production and ended up in combat units. Perhaps this will happen later - or has already happened, but the PLA is in no hurry to boast of such successes.
Evolution of appearance
It should be noted that detailed information about the Chinese self-propelled guns with the supposed index PLZ-05B is not yet available. There is only a set of photographs from different periods that allow us to make certain assumptions and conclusions. However, by looking at a new car and comparing it with old ones, you can determine some of its features and main advantages over other equipment.
PLZ-05 products of all modifications have a traditional architecture and layout for modern self-propelled guns. They are built on a tracked chassis and are equipped with a rotating turret, which houses the artillery system, controls, crew positions, etc. The loading vehicle is built on the chassis of an self-propelled gun, but has a wheelhouse instead of a turret, and inside there are stowages for ammunition and mechanisms for feeding and reloading them.
With all this, the new PLZ-05B is significantly different from the PLZ-05(A). One of the main differences is the updated chassis. In general, it is similar to the old tracked platform, but has a modified undercarriage with seven smaller diameter road wheels on each side. The previous PLZ-05A self-propelled gun has a 1000 hp diesel engine, and the new vehicle could receive the same or more powerful power plant.
The tower has undergone modifications. Its dome as a whole remained the same, but in the lump part new casings and boxes of unknown purpose appeared. It is likely that the internal equipment of the fighting compartment has also been improved, but for obvious reasons no information has yet been received on this matter.
Judging by the visible units, the PLZ-05B self-propelled gun retains the old type of gun. This is a 155 mm rifled howitzer with a 52 klb barrel. There is a developed muzzle brake, ejector and recoil devices. Separately loaded shots with manual feeding to the rammer tray are used. The PLZ-05A self-propelled gun can fire in any direction with elevation angles from -3° to +65°.
PLZ-05A/B have developed fire control systems, but the devices used in them must be different. According to known data, both self-propelled guns have a periscope and panoramic sight, a radar for measuring projectile speed located above the barrel, a digital ballistic computer, etc. Probably, the new self-propelled gun PLZ-05B uses modern devices and components, which provides well-known advantages of a production and operational nature.
Transport and loading machine
Chinese 155-mm self-propelled guns can use different types of ammunition and solve different problems. At the same time, the long barrel of the gun makes it possible to increase the achievable characteristics. So, when firing a conventional projectile, the range exceeds 20-25 km. Ammunition with a bottom gas generator flies at 39 km, and a full-fledged active-reactive ammunition of the latest models flies at 50 km. It was reported about the development of a promising ultra-long-range projectile with a range of at least 100 km.
Optimized design
It is easy to see that the new Chinese self-propelled gun PLZ-05B is generally similar to previous models, and radical innovations are not envisaged. Apparently, the goal of the project was to optimize the existing design to obtain certain technological or operational results. In addition, it can be assumed that the most interesting changes and innovations are simply hidden under the armor and are invisible in the available photographs.
The new self-propelled gun with the letter “B” differs from previous versions of the PLZ-05 by a different chassis design and, probably, by other chassis features. This can be explained by optimization of the existing design or transition to other components. In particular, a version has been expressed about the unification of the howitzer chassis with the chassis tank "Type 15". In both cases, the chassis must be suitable for mass production capabilities and expected loads.
Apparently, the artillery part of the self-propelled guns has not undergone fundamental changes. At the same time, an increase in fire characteristics could be ensured by improving control systems. New devices based on modern components will make it possible to more fully realize the potential of the gun and its ammunition. In addition, it becomes possible to introduce new projectiles with certain controls.
PLZ-05B in October 2023
Thus, the two modifications of the PLZ-05 self-propelled guns are not fundamentally different from each other, but the latest project has a number of important innovations. With their help, the design and equipment of self-propelled guns are brought to a new technical and technological level, corresponding to the current capabilities of industry and the needs of the PLA.
The exact goals and objectives of the PLZ-05B project, as well as the PLA's plans for it, are unknown. Obviously, the new equipment will have to enter service with the ground forces and strengthen their firepower. Foreign specialized media suggest that it will be used to replace the old 152-mm Type 83 self-propelled howitzers produced in the eighties.
Technique of the future
The PLA and the Chinese defense industry pay attention to the development of self-propelled barrel artillery and regularly present various models with one or another weapon. Thus, the latest development in the line of 155-mm systems is the PLZ-05B self-propelled gun. It is to a certain extent similar to previous self-propelled guns, but has several important features, which ultimately should give it some advantages.
Apparently, the PLZ-05B self-propelled gun has already been put into service or is approaching it. Its design was completed several years ago, and at the same time the first vehicles entered the testing grounds. Quite a lot of time has passed since then, and we can already expect real results. What it will be like will become known in the foreseeable future. At the same time, the Chinese army, as before, will accept the new armored vehicle into service in working order and without a separate announcement.
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