PLZ-83 (Type 83) Chinese 152mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)

PLZ-83

Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)

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Basic Information

Name

PLZ-83 (Type 83) Chinese 152mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)

Designation

PLZ-83

Alternate Designation

PLZ-83; Type 83

Equipment Type

Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)

Manufacturer

NORINCO

Date of Introduction

1983

Description

The PLZ-83 (Type 83) Chinese 152mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) is capable of firing all standard types of 152mm rounds. The main armament cannon is based on the Chinese 152mm towed Type 66 mounted on a vehicle hull similar to the Russian 152mm SP gun-howitzer 2S3. The crew communicates with each other using the Type 803 intercom system. There are reports of Type 83 being equipped with an anti-tank rocket launcher referred to as the Type 40. However, it is suspected that the rocket launcher is really the 40mm anti-tank rocket launcher Type 69-1 (an upgraded variant of the Russian RPG-7). Variants of this system are based on Type 66, a Chinese copy of the D-20 howitzer 425mm mine-clearing rocket launcher Type 462: a 2-round rocket launcher for use in clearing minefields. 120mm SP anti-tank gun: the AT gun is fitted with a 120mm smoothbore, mounted inside a turret on Type 83 gun-howitzer chassis Other ammunition types: HE-I, illumination, smoke

Ground Specifications

Crew 5

Mobility Type Tracked

Main Weapon 152mm howitzer

Engine Diesel (520 hp)

Active Protection None

Max Speed 55.0 km/h

Range 450.0 km

Variants

Type 89 Multiple Launch Rocket System Type 89 multiple launch rocket system. It is based on the same tracked armored chassis. This artillery rocket system was revealed in 1999. It is speculated that this system entered service in the late 1990s and was not offered for export. It replaced in service the ageing Type 70 130 mm artillery rocket systems.

425-mm mine-clearing system This is a basic vehicle with a limited-traverse launcher that has two cradles, each holding a large rocket with a range of 875-1,090 yds (800-1,000 m). When the rocket lands, it explodes -- clearing an area 140 yds (130 m) long by 13-24 yds (12-22 m) wide. The mine-clearance vehicle's combat weight is 59,525 lb (27,000 kg); it is is 23 ft 6 in (7.16 m) long and 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m) tall. Its launcher elevation range is -5 degrees to 45 degrees; traverse is 90 degrees to each side. The vehicle has a crew of five. The mine-clearing rocket weighs 1,675 lb (760 kg) and the warhead -- which is 15 ft 5 in (4.70 m) long -- accounts for 1,320 lb (600 kg) of that total weight.

Type 89 Tank Destroyer The Type 89 is a tank destroyer based on the hull of the Type 83. It features a 120-mm smoothbore anti-tank gun in a new turret.

Trench Digger A trench digger has been developed based on the hull of the Type 83 self-propelled howitzer. The vehicle, fitted with a front-mounted dozer blade, can dig between 8,830 cubic ft (250 cubic m) to 10,590 cubic ft (300 cubic m) of earth per hour using a digging machine carried over the rear of the hull. A crew of three operates the digger from a raised cab at the front of the vehicle. The trench digger has a combat weight of 66,140 lb (30,000 kg). The vehicle is no longer offered for export by NORINCO.

System

Alternative Designation PLZ-83; Type 83

Type Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)

Caliber 152 mm

Manufacturer NORINCO

Family INA

Crew 5 (commander, driver, gunner, 2 loaders)

Chassis PLZ-83 (Type 83)

Displacement Time 1 min

Emplacement Time 1 min

Maximum Effective Range 17.2 - 28 km

Note The PLZ-83 (Type 83) has been supplemented by the newer and more capable PLZ05 and will eventually be replaced.

Dimensions

Length (Hull) 6.41 m

Length (Gun Foward) 7.01 m

Width 3.24 m

Height (Turret Top) 2.68 m

Height (Overall) 3.50 m

Weight, Combat 30 tons

Ground Pressure 0.68 kg/m

Automotive

Engine Name Deutz Type 12150L

Engine Type liquid cooled diesel

Engine Power 520 hp

Fuel 885 liters

Cruising Range 450 km

Speed, Maximum Road 55 km/h

Speed, Average Cross 35 km/h

Towed Speed 60 km/h

Speed Maximum Swim Not Amphibious

Fording Depth 1.3 m

Wheel Base Tracked chassis, 6 roadwheels, drive sprocket front, idler rear, 4.61 m length, 0.48 m width, 2.62 m track

Carriage Split Trail

Trench Digger Capable Yes, capable of digging 250m to 300m

Fording without Preparation 1.3 m

Gradient 60 %

Side Slope 40 %

Vertical Obstacle (Forward) 0.7 m

Trench 2.5 m

Communications

Radio Type 889D Radio Set

Intercom System Type 803

TBR-142

VHF FM Transceiver Yes, TBR-142(I)

VHF Range 1 to 50 km

Megahertz 40.000 to 59.975 MHz

Output Power 1 to 0.3 Watts

Power 12V Ni-Ca Rechargeable Battery or external 12V DC power source

Dimensions 217x135x58 mm

Weight 2.7 kg

Antennas 3 Total: a 1.3m whip antenna, a 0.3m short antenna, and a 10m wire antenna

Proliferated Widely with Artillery/Gun/Missile/Reconnaissance/C2 Units

Control Device TBR-142(II)

Multi-function Field Phone TBR-142(IIID)

Anti-Aircraft Control Unit TBR-142(IIIG)

ZXY88-200 C2 Capable Yes

Messaging Limited Capability

Amplifier Available

Physical Conditions Limitations Terrain and Weather favorable

Main Gun

System

Name Type 66, Type 83 (152mm Howitzer)

Type Self-propelled artillery, 152mm Howitzer

Manufacturer NORINCO

Status In service. Production complete. No longer marketed.

Breech Type Semi-automatic sliding wedge breech

Length 9.8 m

Width 3.24 m

Height 3.50 m

Loader Type No ammunition handling system

Max Rate of Fire 8 rds/min

Sustain Rate of Fire 8 rds/min

Time the Max Rate of Fire can be Sustained INA

Maximum Range 30 km

Minumum Range 10 km

Muzzle Brake Type Double Baffle muzzle brake

Max Elevation +65 deg

Min Elevation -5 deg

Traverse Range 15,600 m

Traverse Left 24 deg

Traverse Right 26 deg

Range Finder Type Panoramic

Axis of Fire 1.4 m

Ammunition (Option 1)

Type 152mm HE Projectile

Alternative Designation Type 83

Caliber 152 mm

Length 703 mm

Weight 48 kg

Muzzle Velocity 655 m/s

Effective Range 17.2 km

Fuse Type RGM-2, RGM-2m, D-1U, V-90

Charge Type Full

Armor Penetration Yes

Minimum Distance of Jammer Deliver 4 km

Maximum Distance of Jammer Deliver 16.9 km

Minimum Distance of Detachment Above Target 1.6 km

Operation Range 700 m

Explosive Filling 16.4 kg

Weight of Jammer 3.8 kg

Normal Recoil 910 mm

Maximum Recoil 950 mm

Basic Load 30 rounds total any combination of 152mm Rounds.

Ammunition (Option 2)

Type 152 mm HE-FRAG Projectile

Model OF-540

Caliber 152 mm

Length 703 mm

Weight 43.6 kg

Muzzle Velocity 655 m/s

Effective Range 17.2 km

Basic Load 30 rounds total any combination of 152mm Rounds.

Ammunition (Option 3)

Type 152mm Cargo Projectile

Model INA

Caliber 152 mm

Length 835 mm

Weight 43.6 kg

Muzzle Velocity 655 m/s

Effective Range 17 km

Basic Load 30 rounds total any combination of 152mm Rounds.

Ammunition (Option 4)

Type BB-HE Projectile

Model INA

Caliber 152 mm

Length 874 mm

Weight 43.6 kg

Muzzle Velocity 660 m/s

Effective Range 22 km

Basic Load 30 rounds total any combination of 152mm Rounds.

Ammunition (Option 5)

Type BB-RA/HE Projectile

Model INA

Caliber 152 mm

Length 873 mm

Weight 43.5 kg

Muzzle Velocity 674 m/s

Effective Range 28 km

Basic Load 30 rounds total any combination of 152mm Rounds.

Ammunition (Option 6)

Type Jamming

Model INA

Caliber 152 mm

Length 713 mm

Weight 43.6 kg

Muzzle Velocity 655 m/s

Effective Range 17.2 kg

Basic Load 30 rounds total any combination of 152mm Rounds.

Coaxial Weapon System

System

Name 1 x Type 54 (DShKM)

Type Heavy Machine Gun

Caliber 12.7 mm

Proliferation over 1 Million

Length (Total) 1,625 mm

Barrel Length 1,070 mm

Weight (Gun Only) 34 kg

Weight (On Wheeled Mounting) 157 kg

Action Gas-Operated, Flapper Locking

Feed System 50 Round Belt

Sights Iron/Optical

Max Rate of Fire INA

Sustain Rate of Fire 600 rds/m

Time the Max Rate of Fire can be Sustained INA

Range Finder Type INA

Turret Single seat and located at the rear of the vehicle

Variants DK, DShKM, DSHKS, Type 54 HMG

Ammunition

Type Heavy machine gun and anti-materiel rifle cartridge

Caliber 12.7 mm

Cartridge 12.7x108mm

Muzzle Velocity 850 m/s

Effective Range 2000-2,500 m

Armor Penetration API: 21 at 500 m & 13 at 1000 m (RHA)

Basic Load 1,200 Rounds

Fire Control

Name INA

Computerized FCS Yes

Thermal Sight Vehicle Commander Yes

Thermal Sight Gunner Yes

Main Gun Stabilization Yes

Range, Day Sight INA

Range, Thermal Sight INA

Indirect Fire Yes, Panoramic

Direct Fire Yes, Type CS-43 (with x5.5 Magnification)

Direct Fire Maximum Range 1,1170 m

Sight 1 x Type 58 Panoramic Sight

Sight Magnification X 3.7 magnification

Collimator Type 58

Protection

Hull Armor Armored Steel (Protection from shell splinters and small arms)

Turret Armor Armored Steel (Protection from shell splinters and small arms)

Applique Armor INA

Explosive Reactive Armor No

Active Protection System No

Mine Clearing No

Self-Entrenching Blade No

NBC Protection No

Smoke Equipment No

IR Signature INA

Image Sources

Notes https://armyrecognition.com/focus-analysis-conflicts/army/armies-in-the-world/live-firing-exercise-for-chinese-army-artillery-troops-with-type-83-152mm-self-propelled-howitzer-10707152; https://forum.warthunder.com/t/plz-83-a-2s3m-for-china/10255; https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/type-83-pics.htm;

Details

Country of Origin China

Category Self-Propelled Gun/Howitzer Artillery Systems

Land > Artillery > Self-Propelled Gun/Howitzer Artillery Systems

Classification

Domain

Ground

Equipment Status

Active

Dimensions

Length

3.5 m

Width

3.24 m

Height

3.5 m

Weight

30000 kg

Operators (1)

China

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