SH16A Chinese 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
SH16A
Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
Other
Basic Information
Name
SH16A Chinese 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
Designation
SH16A
Alternate Designation
SH16A
Equipment Type
Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
Manufacturer
NORINCO
Date of Introduction
2024
Description
The SH16A Chinese 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) is a modular automated artillery turret that can be mounted on platforms with sufficient payload capacity. The turret features a 155 mm/52 caliber ordnance. The prototype displayed at the Zhuhai Airshow 2024 in China was mounted on an upgraded version of the ZBL-09 8×8 armored fighting vehicle (AFV). This variant appears to utilize the flatbed version of the vehicle, with the artillery turret positioned on the flatbed section. The vehicle has a sponson-shaped hull with a shallow glacis and a steep belly plate that create a blunt, angular nose leading to the hull roof. The driver sits on the left side of the turret and has a relatively large glass windshield for visibility. The hull's sides are moderately sloped toward the roof. There are four wheels on each side, arranged in two pairs separated by a triangular protrusion from the hull. Between the second and third axles, there is a pair of outriggers that extend to the ground during firing. Additionally, there are outriggers at the rear of the vehicle that may also extend to the ground for increased stability while firing.
Ground Specifications
Crew
16
Mobility Type
Wheeled (8x8)
Main Weapon
155 mm/52 caliber ordnance
Engine
Diesel (440 hp)
NBC Protection
Yes
Max Speed
100.0 km/h
Range
800.0 km
System
Alternative Designation
SH16A
Manufacturer
NORINCO
Type
Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)
Caliber
155 mm
Chassis
ZBL-09
Crew
The SH16A is designed primarily for shoot-and-scoot operations with a limited crew. It is assessed that the system can be operated by a crew of three, including the driver.
Airlift Capability
Strategic air transport can be provided by a Y-20A Kunpeng strategic transport aircraft.
Dimensions (Chassis Only: ZBL-09)
Length
8.0 m
Width
3.0 m
Height
INA
Weight, Combat
INA
Automotive
Engine Name
DEUTZ BF6M1015 CP
Engine Type
Water-cooled Diesel
Engine Power
440hp at 2,100 rpm
Power to Weight Ratio
16.5 kW/t
Maximum Range
800 km
Speed, Maximum Road
100 km/h
Speed, Average Cross
50 km/h
Speed, Maximum Swim
8 km/h
Transmission
Manual
Suspension System
Independent
Axels
Differential Lock Enabling
Note
The engine is at the front-right of the hull, and the exhaust is on the right side of the hull beneath the turret.
Communcations
Blue Force Tracker
Yes
TBR-121 VHF Radio
VHF Transceiver
Yes
VHF Range
1 to 50 km
Proliferated
Widely
Digital Data
Yes, Full
Control
Self-Adaptive Control (Including Automatic Antenna Tuner)
Frequency Agile
Yes
Wireless Network Capabilities
Yes
Note:
Very similar in capabilities to the US SINCGARS ASIP
Main Gun
Name
The 155 mm ordnance used in the SH16A is assessed to be the same as the one used on the PCL-181 (SH15) 155 mm/52 caliber wheeled SPH, in service with the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
Type
Howitzer
Caliber
155 mm
Breech
Semi-automatic vertical wedge type breech block
Muzzle Brake
The 155 mm barrel with a multibaffle muzzle brake is mounted on the turret with the recuperator section inside a covered case.
Rate of Fire
INA
Loading System
Being an automated turret, the loading and laying system is automatic.
Armament Traverse
40º (711 mils) 20º, left and right
Armament Elevation/Depression
+70º (1,244 mils)/0º
Maximum Firing Range
32,000 m (using ERFB-HE); 41,000 m (using ERFB-BB-HE); 50,000 m (using ERFB-BB-RA charge 10)
Traveling Hook
The front glacis of the vehicle has a travelling hook, on which the barrel can rest when the vehicle is in the travelling position.
Ammunition
Note # 1
The maximum firing range depends on the projectile/charge combination. According to Norinco (for the PCL-181), when firing the latest high-explosive extended-range full-bore base-bleed rocket-assist (ERFB-BB-RA) projectile, a maximum range of 50 km can be achieved using charge zone 10. Other types of 155 mm ammunition fired by the SH1 include HE ERFB, HE ERFB-BB, ERFB-BB cargo, ERFB illuminating, ERFB smoke base ejection, and ERFB white phosphorus.
Note # 2
Like the PCL-181, the SH16A is assessed to have the ability to fire all standard NATO 155 mm artillery projectiles and charges.
Note # 3
By firing an ERFB HE, a maximum range of 32 km is achieved, which increases to a maximum range of 41 km firing an ERFB-BB-HE. The latter is of the bag type, but China has developed a two-part modular charge system (MCS) consisting of BC2 and BC1, with up to six of the former being used with 155 mm/52 caliber systems and five with 155 mm/39 caliber systems. Like the PCL-181, the SH16A is compatible with all NATO 155 mm artillery systems and features less wear on the ordnance as well as being well-suited to use in automatic loaders.
Note # 4
The SH16A can fire a locally manufactured 155 mm laser-homing projectile for pinpoint accuracy. This is used in conjunction with a forward observation post that includes a laser designator and synchroniser. This 155 mm laser-guided projectile is designated the GP1 and is offered on the export market by Norinco.
Auxiliary Weapon System
Note
There is also a remotely operated weapon station (ROWS) on the left of the primary armament, which can incorporate a machine gun and possibly an electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) component.
Fire Control System
Note
Detailed information on the mission systems is not available at the moment. However, being a fully automated turret, the SH16A is fitted with a computerised fire-control system (FCS) and also a fibre-optic north-seeking positioning and navigation system.
As part of the PLA‘s artillery modernisation program, all new shooters are an integral part of ‘connected artillery‘, where the system is connected to a centralized fire direction centre (FDC), which can receive co-ordinates from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Protection
Hull and Turret Armor
Based on the known build quality of the ZBL-09, it can be assessed that the hull of the vehicle is also built from welded steel armour, modular non-explosive reactive armour (NERA), which consists of a combination of composites and armour plates bolted on top of the steel armour, and is believed to be capable of protecting the vehicle from 25 mm projectiles across the frontal arc fired from a range of 1,000 m. The sides of the hull protect the inhabitants from 12.7 mm projectiles fired at a range of 200 m or more. The armor is modular so that it can be replaced if damaged or superseded by more effective systems.
Applique Armor
Available
Central Tire Inflation System
Yes, The tires are fitted with a CTIS and RFIs, which means that the tyres will continue to support the vehicle once punctured for 100 km at a speed of 40 km/h.
Automatic Fire Extinguishing System
Yes
NBC Protection
Yes
Smoke Equipment
There are two banks of four smoke grenade launchers on either side of the barrel facing forward. The smoke grenade launchers on the turret could be used to obscure the vehicle from view or linked to an active protection system (APS).
Details
Country of Origin
China
Category
Self-Propelled Gun/Howitzer Artillery Systems
Land > Artillery > Self-Propelled Gun/Howitzer Artillery Systems
Filter Label
S
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
—
Width
3 m
Height
—
Weight
—
Operators (1)
China
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