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Welcome to the suggestion for the SH16A! This is a Chinese export wheeled self-propelled howitzer. Armed with a massive unmanned turret housing a 155 mm L/52 gun, this is one of the more modern artillery systems on offer by NORINCO. Due to this, information is limited, but it is my hope this thread will serve as a hub for further details and information as it comes out, perhaps even leading to its implementation one day!
Overview
The original SH16 on a truck based chassis.
In December of 2022, Norinco unveiled a concept for a new and modular 155 mm howitzer turret. This is part of a larger drive from the Chinese military industry for greater automation, as well as offering affordable, modern systems to the export market. This was first seen mounted on a vehicle in early 2024, being used on a 6x6 truck chassis and marketed as the SH16. The turret was described as weighing 14 tons, housing a 155 mm L/52 howitzer. Arguably its most notable feature was that the turret is entirely unmanned, with the main gun capable of firing 9 to 10 rounds a minute, and being capable of firing 3 rounds in 15 seconds in its ‘burst fire mode.’ To make up for the small crew number, and in order to increase automation, the turret features an autoloader, with the fire control system automating gun adjustment, fuse binding, projectile loading, and propellant handling.
Later that year, the biannual China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, or Zhuhai Airshow, began in Guangdong. Although one of the main attractions is the airshow itself, this event has been used in recent years to market new products developed by Norinco. Seen driving around a couple weeks prior to the show was a large 8x8 chassis using the SH16’s turret. After the event began, the vehicle appeared in the exhibit hall, marketed as the SH16A. Besides the notable change to a 8x8 chassis, seemingly based on the VN22, the turret now featured a 30 mm remote weapon station. One feature noted by a few articles on the vehicle is its laser ignition system, wherein the system uses a laser beam to ignite the propellant of an artillery shell, which is a first for artillery systems like the SH16A.
The SH16A showcased at 2024 Zhuhai Airshow.
Specifications
Crew: 2-3
Mass: ~39 t
Main armament: 155 mm L/52
Secondary armament: 30 mm remote weapon station & 8× grenade launchers
Rate of fire: 9 - 10 rounds per minute, 3 rounds in 15 seconds in ‘burst fire mode’
