The PCL-171 is a 6x6 lightweight wheeled artillery-carrying vehicle serving the modern People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) of China. The complete system mates the six-wheeled Dongfeng Mengshi CTL181A all-terrain truck chassis with a 122mm light howitzer component to produce a mobile, indirect-fire battlefield solution. The vehicle features a steerable front axle and a twin rear axle arrangement to balance the excessive weight of the gun. Hydraulic arms are lowered at four points around the hull prior to firing and the gun component itself sits on a trainable mounting offering limited firing traversal and elevation angles. Up to 28 projectiles are carried on the truck itself, reducing the need for an accompanying ammunition carrier. The crew sits in the armored cab which sports bullet resistant glass and hinged, automobile-style doors for entry-exit. The engine is housed in the bow in the usual way.
The gun component is of the Soviet-style, Cold War-era 122mm caliber giving it considerable lethality at-range against unarmored targets. Utilizing conventional loads, the gun can reach out to target areas some 14 miles away. Extended Range projectiles give it a reach out to 25 miles otherwise. It appears that a crew of four is used for optimal system performance.
Six such vehicles are assigned to a single gun battery in the Chinese inventory and the entire complex includes ammunition carriers, command vehicles, and supporting equipment / supplies.
The PCL-171 was identified as early as April 2020 and in testing by October of that year.
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the PCL-171 122mm Self-Propelled Howitzer Vehicle.
1 x YC6DV1 V6 liquid-cooled supercharged diesel-fueled engine developing 295 horsepower and driving conventional 6x6 all-wheeled arrangement. Installed Power
75 mph 120 kph Road Speed
435 miles 700 km Range
Structure The physical qualities of the PCL-171 122mm Self-Propelled Howitzer Vehicle.
4 (MANNED) Crew
22.1 ft 6.75 meters O/A Length
7.1 ft 2.15 meters O/A Width
7.8 ft 2.38 meters O/A Height
24,251 lb 11,000 kg | 12.1 tons Weight
Armament & Ammunition Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the NORINCO PCL-171 122mm Self-Propelled Howitzer Vehicle.
1 x 122mm howitzer gun.
AMMUNITION: 28 x 122mm projectiles carried onboard truck; additional projectiles provided by ammunition carriers.
Variants Notable series variants as part of the NORINCO PCL-171 family line.
PCL-171 - Base Series Designation.
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the NORINCO PCL-171. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.
Total Production: 100 Units Contractor(s): China NORth INdustries COrporation (NORINCO) - China
[ China ]
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Image from the Chinese MoD; Public Release.
Going Further... The NORINCO PCL-171 122mm Self-Propelled Howitzer Vehicle appears in the following collections:
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