View source for Engineering:PLZ-05

{{Short description|Chinese 155 mm self-propelled howitzer}}
{{Infobox weapon
|name=PLZ-05 Self-Propelled Howitzer
| image= PLZ-05 Self-Propelled Artillery 20170919.jpg
| image_size = 300
|caption=The PLZ-05 at an exhibition at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution in 2017.
|origin= China
|type=[[Engineering:Self-propelled artillery|Self-propelled artillery]]
|is_vehicle=yes
|is_ranged=yes
|is_artillery=yes
|length=11.60 m
|width=3.38 m
|height=3.55 m
|weight=35 tonnes to 45 tonnes<ref name=strategy/>
 <!-- Production history -->
|designer=[[Company:Norinco|Norinco]]
|design_date=1990s
|manufacturer=[[Company:Norinco|Norinco]]
|unit_cost=
|production_date= 2003–present
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
|cartridge=
|caliber= 155&nbsp;mm
|barrels= 52 caliber (PLZ-05 & PLZ-05A)<br />54 caliber (PLZ-04)
|action=
|rate=8-10 rounds/min (PLZ-05)<ref name="sinodefence1">{{cite web|url=http://www.sinodefence.com/army/artillery/plz05.asp|title=PLZ05 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer|work=SinoDefence.com|date=2009-02-20|accessdate=2010-03-21|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328022917/http://www.sinodefence.com/army/artillery/plz05.asp|archivedate=28 March 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref><br />8-10 rounds/min (PLZ-05A)<br/>4 rounds in 15 seconds burst firing rate (PLZ-05)<ref name="china" />
|velocity=
|range=
|max_range= Varies by munition.<br />20km (laser-homing)<br />39km (ERFB-BB)<ref name="sinodefence1"/><br />50km (ERFB-BB-RA)<ref name="Thediplomat 20160309">{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2016/03/overview-chinas-peoples-liberation-army-equipment-at-a-glance/|title=Overview: China's People's Liberation Army Equipment at a Glance|publisher=The Diplomat|date=9 March 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013040540/https://thediplomat.com/2016/03/overview-chinas-peoples-liberation-army-equipment-at-a-glance/|archivedate=13 October 2022|accessdate=13 October 2022|author=Ben Lowsen}}</ref><ref name="Weaponsystems.net">{{cite web|url=https://weaponsystems.net/system/256-PLZ05|title=PLZ05|publisher=Weaponsystems.net|date=|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013034056/https://weaponsystems.net/system/256-PLZ05|archivedate=13 October 2022|accessdate=13 October 2022|author=}}</ref><br />100km (WS-35)<ref name="ct">{{cite web|title=China's new 155mm artillery round hits 100km targets: Kanwa|url=http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20130701000036&cid=1101|work=WantChinaTimes.com|date=1 July 2013|accessdate=18 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109161407/http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20130701000036&cid=1101|archive-date=9 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|feed=
|sights=
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
|breech=
|recoil=
|carriage=
|elevation=
|traverse=360°
|suspension=torsion bar and [[Engineering:Hydropneumatic suspension|hydropneumatic suspension]]<ref name="china">{{cite web |url=http://military.china.com.cn/2015-08/27/content_36422483.htm |title=PLZ-05式155mm自行加榴炮 |publisher=中国网 |date=2015-08-27 |accessdate= |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007101427/http://military.china.com.cn/2015-08/27/content_36422483.htm |archive-date=7 October 2017 }}</ref>
|speed=56 km/h (PLZ-05) <br /> 65 km/h (PLZ-05A)
|vehicle_range=550 km (PLZ-05) <br /> 450 km (PLZ-05A)
|primary_armament=PLL-01 155&nbsp;mm howitzer
|secondary_armament=QJC-88 12.7&nbsp;mm anti-aircraft machine gun<br />2 sets of 4-barrel grenade launchers
|armour=
|engine=8V150-cooled turbocharged diesel
|crew=4
|engine_power=800 hp (PLZ-05)<ref name=PLZ>{{cite web|title=PLA in volume equipment PLZ-05 self-propelled howitzer|url=http://www.comhaha.com/blog/738998-pla-in-volume-equipment-plz-05-self-propelled-howitzer/|work=comhaha.com|date=22 December 2011|accessdate=17 May 2013}}</ref><br />1000 hp (PLZ-05A)
|pw_ratio=23&nbsp;hp/t (17.15&nbsp;kW/t)
}}
The '''PLZ-05''' or the '''Type 05''' is a 155&nbsp;mm self-propelled howitzer developed by the People's Liberation Army of China to replace the Type 59-1 130&nbsp;mm towed gun and [[Engineering:Type 83 SPH|Type 83]] 152&nbsp;mm self-propelled gun. The PLZ-05 was officially unveiled at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution to mark the 80th anniversary of the PLA in July 2007, and first entered service with the PLA in 2008.<ref name="plz05_mt" />

==History==
In 1980s, Chinese military manufacturer [[Company:Norinco|Norinco]] acquired the license to produce GHN-45 howitzer from Noricum, a subsidiary of the Austrian company Voest-Alpine, whom developed CHN-45 based on the design of the GC-45 howitzer. GHN-45 (Gun, Howitzer, Noricum) featured several improvements over the original GC-45, such as better ammunition and fire control systems. Due to the design improvements, GHN-45 had considerably longer ranges than other 155&nbsp;mm cannon systems used by NATO and Western countries. This capability initially caused worry for allied forces in the Persian Gulf War.<ref name=globalsecurity>{{cite web|title=G5 155mm 45-calibre, towed gun howitzer|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rsa/g5.htm|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org|accessdate=2013-08-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829005623/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rsa/g5.htm|archive-date=2012-08-29|url-status=live}}</ref> The designer [[Biography:Gerald Bull|Gerald Bull]] was contacted in late 1980s by China to develop his work, which he agreed. China also purchased extended-range ammunition technology from him.<ref name="wapo">{{cite news|title=THE GUNS OF SADDAM |author=William Scott Malon |newspaper={{wipe|The Washington Post}} |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/1991/02/10/the-guns-of-saddam/e31bbb3a-52c3-4f29-bc47-cca57a80b6db/ |accessdate=2020-01-09 |date=February 10, 1991}}</ref>

The Chinese production designation of the GHN-45 is WAC-021 and PLL-01,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.military-today.com/artillery/pll_01.htm |title=PLL01 |website=military-today}}</ref><ref name="pll01_gs">{{cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/wac-021.htm |title=PLL01 |website=globalsecurity }}</ref> which entered service in 1987.<ref name=survey>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/A+general+survey+of+recent+artillery+developments%3B+refurbishment+is...-a08529007 |title=A general survey of recent artillery developments |publisher=Armada International |date=1989 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520141620/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/A+general+survey+of+recent+artillery+developments%3B+refurbishment+is...-a08529007 |archive-date=2011-05-20 }}</ref><ref name="PLL01 155mm Gun-Howitzer">{{cite web|title=PLL01 155mm Gun-Howitzer|url=http://www.sinodefence.com/army/artillery/pll01towed_155mm.asp|accessdate=11 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809111705/http://www.sinodefence.com/army/artillery/pll01towed_155mm.asp|archive-date=9 August 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> China continue to acquire and develop other technologies for the PLL-01, such as precision guided projectiles GP1. China also mounted the PLL-01 onto an indigenous-designed tracked chassis, resulting in the [[Engineering:PLZ-45|PLZ-45]] (also known as the Type 88) and support vehicles based on the same chassis. Two major batches of PLZ-45s were sold to the Kuwaiti in 1997 and to Saudi Arabia in 2008. However, the PLZ-45 did not enter service with the People's Liberation Army Ground Force because China was still using the doctrine developed for the Soviet-standard 152&nbsp;mm ammunition at the time.<ref name="plz45_ws">{{cite web|url=https://weaponsystems.net/system/862-PLZ45 |title=PLZ-45 |website=weaponsystems}}</ref><ref name="plz45_gs">{{cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/plz-45.htm |title=plz-45 |website=globalsecurity}}</ref><ref name="plz45_mt">{{cite web|url=http://www.military-today.com/artillery/plz45.htm |title=plz45 |website=military-today }}</ref>

In 2003, China began to develop prototypes of the PLZ-05, an evolution of the PLZ-45, for domestic use. The PLZ-05 was adopted by Chinese army in 2008 in order to replace the older [[Engineering:Type 83 SPH|Type 83]] 152&nbsp;mm self-propelled howitzer. The adoption of PLZ-05 signified China's paradigm shift in artillery doctrines, moving from the Soviet model to Western model. The original PLZ-45 was fitted with 155&nbsp;mm/L45 howitzer, but PLZ-05 has a longer barrel and improved range, accuracy and fire rate.<ref name="plz05_mt">{{cite web|url=http://www.military-today.com/artillery/plz05.htm |title=PLZ05 |website=military-today}}</ref>

==Design==
PLZ-05 features an indigenous-developed chassis derived from the PLZ-45. Although PLZ-45 had an indigenous semi-automatic loader,<ref name="plz05_mt" /> PLZ-05 is reportedly fitted with a fully-automatic loading system similar to [[Engineering:2S19 Msta|2S19 Msta]], providing a rate of fire of 8 rounds/minute. The autoloader can support a higher fire rate and burst fire rate of 4 rounds per 15 seconds at the expense of its service life. The weapons can also use continuous fire support for 3-5 rounds per minute. The main armament, PLL-01 155&nbsp;mm/L52 howitzer, has a maximum range of 40 kilometers when using ERFB-BB and more than 50 kilometers when using ERFB-BB-RA. The system can achieve 70 kilometers range with rocket-assist ammunition. The howitzer can be deployed full-automatically, so the crew can always stay inside the vehicle.<ref name="Thediplomat 20160309" /><ref name="Weaponsystems.net" />

The PLZ-05 is fitted with a digital fire control system, ballistic computers, a gunner day/night thermal imaging system, a laser range finder, and a commander-independent thermal viewer. In addition to indirect fire support, the main gun can be used as an anti-tank cannon or anti-fortification assault gun in an emergency.<ref name="china" /><ref name="plz05_mt" />

The PLZ-05's armor can protect its crew against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. The frontal plates can defend against 14.5&nbsp;mm machine gun rounds. The chassis features NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems. The PLZ-05 howitzer is supported by other variants of the same family, including company commander vehicle, battalion commander vehicle, artillery reconnaissance vehicle, ammunition carrier, radar vehicle, meteorological data collection vehicle and armored recovery vehicle, etc.<ref name="china" /><ref name="plz05_mt" />

The PLZ-05 is powered by an 8V150 diesel engine with 800 hp. The engine allows for a road speed of up to 55 km/h. It features six roadwheels with a combined torsion bar and [[Engineering:Hydropneumatic suspension|hydropneumatic suspension]] system. The hydropneumatic suspension units are fitted on the first and sixth roadwheel, giving the vehicle improved shock absorption and terrain adaptability. The vehicle is fitted with CH700 transmission, providing better mobility compared to previous generations of the Chinese vehicles. An auxiliary power unit can provide onboard weapon systems with electricity when the engine is not running.<ref name="china" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://weaponsystems.net/system/256-PLZ05 |title=PLZ05 |website=weaponsystems}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/modern/China/PZL-05.php |title=PLZ-05 Artillery SPG |website=tanks-encyclopedia}}</ref>

==Variants==
=== PLZ-05 (Type 05) ===
Self-propelled howitzer with a 52 [[Engineering:Caliber|caliber]] [[Engineering:Barrel|barrel]], 800&nbsp;hp diesel engine & gross weight of 35 tonnes.<ref name=PLZ/> It is deployed only with the People's Liberation Army.<ref name=strategy/> The PLZ-05 can fire the WS-35 shell, a {{convert|40|lb|kg|abbr=on}} guided munition with accuracy of {{convert|40|m|ft|abbr=on}} and a max range reported to be {{convert|100|km|mi|abbr=on}}.  It is guided using Beidou Navigation Satellite System, the Chinese version of global positioning system, and inertial guidance.<ref>[http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htart/20131128.aspx Artillery: The Chinese Magical Mystery Shell] - Strategypage.com, 28 November 2013</ref>

=== PLZ-05A (PLZ-52) ===
The PLZ-52 is a 155mm / 52 caliber tracked self-propelled howitzer similar in appearance to the [[Engineering:PLZ-45|PLZ-45]], but based on a slightly different hull. Having a gross vehicle weight of 43 tonnes, the PLZ-52 features a new powerpack, which consists of a diesel engine developing 1,000&nbsp;hp at 2,300 rpm coupled to a fully automatic transmission. This gives a maximum road speed of up to 65&nbsp;km/h and an operational range up to 450&nbsp;km.<ref name=Janes22>{{cite journal|url=http://www.janes.com/article/13109/china-details-latest-plz52-155-mm-self-propelled-artillery-system|title=China details latest PLZ52 155 mm self-propelled artillery system|last=F Foss|first=Christopher|date=18 October 2012|accessdate=2 September 2013|journal=Jane's International Defence Review}}<!-- May need Login --></ref> The PLZ-52 howitzer has a maximum firing range of 50&nbsp;km (with ERFB-BB-RA projectiles), maximum firing rate of eight rounds per minute, a burst firing rate of three rounds per fifteen seconds, and a multiple-round simultaneous impact capability of four rounds.<ref name="Thediplomat 20160309" /><ref name="Weaponsystems.net" />

The driver and powerpack are at the front of the hull with a fully enclosed turret at the rear. It has torsion bar and hydropneumatic suspension<ref name="china" /> with six dual rubber tired road wheels, a drive sprocket at the front, idler at the rear and track return rollers. The PLZ-52 is offered for export.<ref name=Janes22/> 

=== PLZ-04 ===
Self-propelled howitzer with a 54 [[Engineering:Caliber|caliber]] [[Engineering:Barrel|barrel]] and apparently offered for [[Finance:Export|export]].<ref name=strategy>{{cite web|title=China Upgrades Self-Propelled Artillery|url=http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htart/20100725.aspx|date=25 July 2010|accessdate=17 May 2013|work=strategypage.com}}</ref> This version was reportedly exported to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.<ref name="plz05_mt" />

=== PLZ-05B ===
Self-propelled howitzer with lengthened hull using seven pairs of seven roadwheels. An ammunition resupply vehicle variant also exists.<ref>{{cite web |title=US report lifts a lid on PLA fighting status  |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/us-report-lifts-a-lid-on-pla-fighting-status20210906112735/ |website=ANI |date=6 September 2021 |access-date=16 May 2022}}</ref>

==Operators==
;{{PRC}}
*People's Liberation Army Ground Force - 320 PLZ-05{{sfn|The International Institute for Strategic Studies|2022|p=257}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="240px" heights="160px">
File:PLZ 05 self propelled gun.jpg|PLZ-05 at the China People's Revolution Military Museum in [[Place:Beijing|Beijing]] during the 2007 ''Our troops towards the sun'' exhibition.
File:PLZ-05 Self-Propelled Artillery 20170902.jpg|The front of PLZ-05
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Engineering:AHS Krab|AHS Krab]]
* [[Engineering:K9 Thunder|K9 Thunder]]
* [[Engineering:M109 howitzer|M109]]
* PzH 2000
* [[Engineering:Raad-2|Raad-2]]
* [[Engineering:SSPH Primus|SSPH Primus]]
* [[Engineering:T-155 Fırtına|T-155 Fırtına]]
* Type 99
* [[Engineering:2S35 Koalitsiya-SV|2S35 Koalitsiya-SV]]

== References ==

{{reflist}}

==Sources ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |author=The International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2022 |year=2022 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-032-27900-8}}
{{refend}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Plz-05}}
[[Category:Tracked self-propelled howitzers]]

{{Sourceattribution|PLZ-05}}