- Yes
- No
The PLZ-07, also known as the Type 07 122mm self-propelled howitzer, is a third-generation 122mm caliber self-propelled gun equipped by the PLA.
History
The Type 54 (modeled after the M30) 122mm gun was the first medium-caliber howitzer to be used on a large scale in the early days of the PLA. It was active in the Army for a long time as a towed artillery piece.
Type 54
In the 1970s, when the mechanization of Chinese artillery was facing the problem of lack of mobility of towed guns, the military assigned the development of self-propelled guns to the 618th factory. The designers combined the chassis of the Type 63 APC with the Type 54 howitzer, resulting in the Type 70 122mm self-propelled howitzer (WZ302). The vehicle was the first self-propelled gun to be equipped by the PLA, and it was designed with an open fighting chamber, with a low level of protection and automation.
Type 70
In 1986, China acquired the technology of the D30 and produced the Type 86. Based on this, combined with the Type 85 APC and based on the experience of the Type 70, developed the YW323 (Type 87) for foreign trade sales.
Type 87
At the same time, the 157th and 256th factories mounted the newly developed 122mm turret on the ground of the ZTS63 for experimentation, further exploring the feasibility of researching self-propelled howitzers through the Type 86.
122mm test vehicle
Afterwards, the designers improved the PDZ31 light artillery chassis based on the ZTS63 chassis and developed the PLZ89 122mm self-propelled howitzer by combining it with the previous turret. Shortly after the production of the prototype, the PLZ89 selection was officially mass-produced to participate in the parade. The PLZ89 was technically similar to the PLZ83 of the same period, with a fully enclosed turret and auto-loader, and it had a torsion bar-liquid gas hybrid suspension. The appearance of this carrier marked the PLA’s self-propelled artillery technology reaching the Cold War level. To this day, there are still PLZ83s in service that have undergone computerized improvements.
PLZ89
Based on the technology of PLZ89, engineers developed the SH-3 self-propelled howitzer and a series of improved versions for foreign customers, accumulating technology for subsequent vehicle development.
SH-3
The PLZ-07 made its public debut as the PLA’s medium-caliber self-propelled howitzer for the new century at the 2009 military parade. PLZ-07 self-propelled gun follows the basic layout of the PLZ-89 self-propelled howitzer, power - transmission front, fully enclosed turret mounted on the rear of the chassis through the connection of the seat ring, tracked light general-purpose chassis from the ZBD-04 infantry fighting vehicle chassis transformation, the front end of the car body pointed shape wedge canceled, the side armor by the inwardly tilted to vertical. The driver is located in the left front of the body of the cab, the cab has a hydraulic power-assisted manipulation device, instrumentation and driver terminal display, the rest of the gun squad members of four people in the turret and the body connected to the composition of the closed combat room, the gun commander in the right side of the front position, aiming hand in the left side of the front position, the two loading hands to sit in the back, with a digitalized fire control system and information technology data transmission equipment, the top of the turret is equipped with satellite positioning and communication data transmission antenna. The top of the turret is equipped with satellite positioning and communication data transmission antenna. Inside the vehicle, there are fire extinguishing and explosion suppression system. There is a rear door at the rear of the vehicle, which is convenient for replenishment of ammunition from outside the vehicle.
PLZ07 and PLZ89
In War Thunder
The PLZ07 is also a medium-caliber self-propelled howitzer with more advanced technology and better equipment than the 2S1, which has already appeared in the game. It also uses HEAT and HE as its main ammunition. In the tech tree, it can be placed as a supplement before the PLZ05 of the same period. The PLZ-07 has a smaller caliber than other modern large-caliber self-propelled howitzers in the game, but it has a wider variety of rounds and more flexible locomotion.
Specifications
Weight: 24.5 tons
Length: 6.66 meters
Width: 3.28 meters
Height: 2.5 meters (to top of turret)
Number of Operators: 5 (1 Gunner, 1 Sighting Officer, 1 Pilot and Mechanic, 2 Loaders)
Armor: Homogeneous steel
Main armament: PL-96 32x 122mm howitzer
Secondary weapon: QJC-88 12.7mm caliber vehicle-mounted anti-aircraft machine gun
Engine: 6V150 series water-cooled supercharged diesel engine
CH400 hydro-mechanical transmission /544hp
Suspension: Torsion bar
Combat range: 500 kilometers
Speed: 65km/h
Rate of fire: 7-8rounds/min
