PL-66 (Type 66) Chinese 152mm Towed Gun-Howitzer
PL-66
Towed Gun
Other
Basic Information
Name
PL-66 (Type 66) Chinese 152mm Towed Gun-Howitzer
Designation
PL-66
Alternate Designation
PL-66; Type 66
Equipment Type
Towed Gun
Manufacturer
—
Date of Introduction
1953
Description
The PL-66 (Type 66) Chinese 152mm Towed Gun-Howitzer, is a Chinese 152 mm field howitzer. It is a license-produced version of the Soviet D-20 howitzer, that was created during the early 1950s and is one of the most prolific artillery systems ever. It is unknown if this howitzer is still in production. Though this artillery system is still widely used in China and was exported to some countries, including Iraq and Sri Lanka.
Ground Specifications
Mobility Type
Towed
Range
22.0 km
Variants
Type 83
Type 83 self-propelled howitzer with a modified ordnance of the PL-66 with an added semi-automatic loader and fume extractor. It was modeled after a Soviet 2S3 Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer, which utilized a modified ordnance of D-20. This Chinese artillery system uses an armored tracked chassis.
APU-66-152
APU-66-152 is a recent version of the PL-66, fitted with auxiliary power unit. This allows to self-deploy over short distances. Also auxiliary power unit aids in emplacement and displacement. This artillery system was first publicly revealed in 2018.
PL-66 Truck Mounted
It uses the same light armored chassis with 6x6 configuration as the SH-2 and SH-5 artillery systems. This truck-mounted howitzer was first publicly revealed in 2018, alongside the APU-66-152.
System
Alternate Designation
PL-66; Type 66
Type
Towed Gun-Howitzer
Caliber
152mm
In Service
1966 to present
Barrel Length
26 calibers
Maximum Rate of Fire
5 - 6 rpm
Maximum Range of Fire
17.4 - 22 km
Gun Bore
152 mm
Elevation Range
- 5 to + 45 degrees
Traverse Range
58 degrees
Dimensions
Length (in traveling order)
8.69 m
Length (in combat order)
INA
Weight
5.56 tons
Ammunition
Type
Howitzer
Caliber
26 mm
Projectile Weight
43.56 kg
Note #1:
This artillery piece is towed by a 6x6 military truck, which carries the whole gun crew, as well as ammunition. A Chinese Shaanxi SX2150 6x6 army truck is typically used for this role.
Note #2:
The PL-66 artillery systems are deployed in batteries of 6 artillery pieces.
Details
Country of Origin
China
Category
Towed Gun/Howitzer Artillery Systems
Land > Artillery > Towed Gun/Howitzer Artillery Systems
Filter Label
P
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
8.69 m
Width
—
Height
—
Weight
5560 kg
Operators (6)
China
Albania
Angola
Cambodia
Iraq
Sri Lanka
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