Second generation crawler self-propelled rocket launcher mechanized division rocket launcher

The second-generation tracked self-propelled rocket launcher Mechanized Division Rocket Launcher

The PHZ89 122mm 40-barreled rocket launcher is a second-generation tracked self-propelled rocket launcher independently developed by China. Its total combat weight reaches It weighs 33 tons, has a range of up to 20 kilometers, carries 80 rounds of ammunition at the same time, and can accommodate 5 crew members. It is the main weapon of the Army's armored division or mechanized infantry division. The rocket launcher was equipped with an automatic loading and automatic aiming system and was able to fire two salvos within 5 minutes. Therefore, it was finalized and officially installed in the army in 1990.

It is worth mentioning that the biggest feature of this gun is the inaccuracy during automatic loading, because the integral push-type automatic loading machine often jams. However, since then, the Chinese Army has continued to make technological innovations, and the emergence of modular 122mm rocket launchers has also led the direction of future rocket launchers.

There are two ways of automatic loading. One is tube-to-tube loading, just like the PHZ89 rocket launcher, which has a complex system and many shortcomings. In fact, the loading systems of the Tornado and China Type 03 300mm long-range fire are also quite clumsy. Although they claim that the two vehicles can be loaded automatically when aligned, the actual efficiency is very low. The overall modular loading of the new generation rocket launcher is the best way to learn from the US military’s recommendations.

The other is modular overall hoisting, where the rockets are packed, stored, transported, and launched into a group, and loaded as a whole. The American M270 and China's new AR5 multi-caliber long-range fire use this technology. The modular directors of China's new generation rocket launchers and the American M270 are fiberglass tubes, which are very light, cheap, and can be used once. The slogans "No steel in gun barrels, no use in stealing" are painted on the outside of these modules.

The first way is like loading a revolver, and the second way is like changing a rifle magazine. Therefore, it can be seen that compared with the M270, the PHZ89 type has many shortcomings. The design of the modular fiberglass director and rocket missile carrier makes the M270's comprehensive performance still leading the world for thirty years. Utilizing such technology, the M270 remains a decade ahead of other rocket launchers.