Type 63 Mortar Carrier
Next: Two types
of mortar carriers based on the Type 63 APC were built by Norinco; both were
produced for export and were not used by the PLA.
The full list of operators is not known, but probably includes North
Korea, Iran, and possibly Iraq, Thailand, and Myanmar; any Iraqi Type 63 Mortar
Carriers have almost certainly all been destroyed, while any Iranian Type 63
Mortar Carriers have likely been superseded by newer designs and are in use only
by second- or third-line units. As
far as is known, all Type 63 Mortar Carriers have been sold with 82mm mortars or
120mm mortars designed for Russian/Chinese-type ammunition.
Type 63 Mortar
Carriers are based on the YW-531C (Type 81) version of the Type 63 APC, with a
somewhat stretched hull (though with the same amount of roadwheels);
nonetheless, the rear of the vehicle is very cramped for its crew, as it is so
stuffed with the mortar and associated equipment, and especially, copious
ammunition storage. Like most
mortar carrier vehicles, the two Type 63 Mortar Carriers carry aiming stakes and
a sight extension for aiming the mortar, and a baseplate and bipod externally to
allow the mortar to be removed from the vehicle and ground-mounted if necessary.
The vehicle can plot fire via manual methods, using a map, protractor,
and aiming circle; however, these instruments on the mortar carrier are
considered backups, as an FDC vehicle would normally plot the actual fire
coordinates. Both vehicles have hookups for two field telephones, though the
field telephones and commo wire are generally carried by the accompanying FDC
vehicles or cargo/ammunition carrier vehicles. The two types of Type 63 mortar
carrier are the YW-304, which carries an 82mm mortar (and has the capability to
carry an 81mm mortar instead compatible with basic Western-type ammunition, as
well as some Western-type 81mm mortars), and the YW-381, which carries a 120mm
mortar (which may be designed to fire Russian/Chinese-type ammunition or basic
Western-type ammunition – the Chinese produce several types of 120mm ammunition
compatible with Western-type mortars, as well as several Western-type 120mm
mortar analogs). The model of
mortar depends upon the buying country’s wishes.
Forward of the rear section, the Type 63 Mortar Carriers have largely the
same front area as the Type 63 APC, with the driver on the front left, who has
three vision blocks to the front, the center of which may be replaced with a
night vision block. The gunner’s
position is deleted; the rear deck has a large circular hatch opening right and
left, with the mortar firing through this hatch over the rear of the vehicle.
Like most mortar carriers, the mortars in these vehicles must be raised
up into firing position (which consists of removing some locking pins and
raising the mortar into place, then reinserting the locking pins).
The commander’s position is carried over from the Type 81 version of the
Type 63 APC (which means it is on the left behind the driver); however, on the
mortar carrier versions, the armament for the commander is normally a heavy
machinegun instead of a light weapon, and the commander’s position may or may
not be surrounded with AV2 gun shields. The observation hatch behind the driver
is deleted, as are the firing ports and side vision blocks.
The crew enters and exits through the deck hatches, the commander’s
hatch, or driver’s hatch.
Being a variant
of the Type 81 version of the Type 63, the Type 63 Mortar Carriers have a
German-designed 320-horsepower turbocharged KHD BF8L and a manual transmission.
The vehicles are amphibious after the erection of a trim vane and turning
on a bilge pump; however, like the WZ-701 and Type 81 ACV, freeboard when
swimming shrinks to what some consider dangerous levels. Propulsion in the water
is by the motion of its tracks.
Note that like Thai Type 63 APCs, Thai Type 63 Mortar Carriers mount M-2HBs
instead of Chinese machineguns and mount Western-type mortars.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
YW-304 |
$114,845 |
D, A |
470 kg |
13.5 tons |
4 |
13 |
Passive IR (D) |
Enclosed |
YW-381 |
$108,727 |
D, A |
430 kg |
13.8 tons |
5 |
13 |
Passive IR (D) |
Enclosed |
Vehicle |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
YW-304 |
163/114 |
45/32/5 |
450 |
119 |
Stnd |
T3 |
HF6 HS3
HR2 |
YW-381 |
160/112 |
45/31/4 |
450 |
119 |
Stnd |
T3 |
HF6 HS3
HR2 |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
YW-304 |
None |
None |
81mm or 82mm Mortar, DShK or W-85 (C) |
120x81mm or 82mm, 500x12.7mm |
YW-381 |
None |
None |
120mm mortar (Chinese/Russian or Western), DShK or W-85 (C) |
50x120mm (Chinese/Russian or Western), 500x12.7mm |
Type 85 Mortar Carrier
Notes: Like the
Type 63, the Type 85 APC has two mortar carrier versions; the 81/82mm-carrying
version has the designation of YW-382, and the 120mm-carrying version has the
designation of YW-383. Unlike the Type 63 Mortar Carriers, the Type 85 Mortar
Carriers are used by the PLA as well as having been exported to most of the
countries that the Type 85 APC was exported to.
As the Type 85
APC is essentially a stretched, updated Type 63 APC, the Type 85 Mortar Carriers
are for the most part the same in layout as the Type 63 Mortar Carriers.
As the hulls of the Type 85 Mortar Carriers are longer than the Type 63
Mortar Carriers, the rear area and commander’s positions of the Type 85 Mortar
Carriers is a little more roomy.
(The driver’s position is unchanged from that of the Type 85 APC.)
The driver is in the right front of the hull on the Type 85 Mortar
Carriers, with the engine to his left, with three vision blocks to the front,
the center of which can be replaced with a night vision block.
The commander is to the rear of the driver and is almost always
surrounded by AV2 gun shields; note that like the Type 85 APC, Thai Type 85
Mortar Carriers mount M-2HB machineguns (and have Western-type mortars) The
third hatch for a gunner is deleted, as is the two small hatches on either side
of the center deck; all firing ports and associated vision blocks are deleted
with the exception of the one in the large rear door.
On the rear deck is an oversized, two piece, circular hatch that is used
to fire the mortar through and can be used for troops standing in vehicle
defense. (Note that like on the
Type 63 Mortar Carriers and most other mortar carriers, the mortar must be
raised into position to fire and lowered again to close the roof hatches.)
The mortar carriers carry over the Type 85 APCs collective NBC system.
The front armor
is sharply-sloped, and the side armor is moderately-sloped, providing good armor
protection in relation to the thickness or the armor. Type 85 Mortar carriers
have an automatic fire detection and suppression system for the crew
compartment, passenger compartment, engine compartment, and fuel tanks. On
either side of the hull front, about halfway down the glacis and to the sides,
are a cluster of four smoke grenade launchers.
The engine for the Type 85 Mortar Carriers is German-designed and
license-built, a BF8L413F 320-horsepower turbocharged diesel.
Both can be equipped with external fuel tanks for long-range operations
in addition to its internal fuel; these are mounted at the rear.
The Type 85 Mortar Carrier is amphibious with a minimum of preparation –
a trim vane must be erected at the front of the vehicle and a bilge pump turned
on.
The Type 90 APC
was also developed into mortar carrier versions; like the Type 90 APC, it was
offered only for export, it’s primary customer being Iran, though rumors of
other countries’ use have circulated. Like the Type 90 APC, the Type 90 Mortar
Carriers are essentially very-little-improved versions of the Type 89 APC
(itself a slightly-improved version of the Type 85). Hull armor is not improved
over that of the Type 85 Mortar Carriers.
Like the Type 90 APC, the machinegun armament is located inside a small
turret, though this turret is moved to the commander’s position, and the
gunner’s position itself deleted.
The roof hatch deletions and layout is essentially the same as that of the type
85 Mortar Carriers, with the same firing ports and vision blocks being deleted.
The driver’s station is essentially the same at that on the Type 85
Mortar carriers, though the Type 90 Mortar carriers have automatic instead of
manual transmission. The engine of
the Type 90 Mortar carriers is the same as on the Type 85 Mortar Carriers, and
they are likewise capable of amphibious movement under the same conditions, They
have the same smoke generation grenades, provision for external fuel tanks, fire
suppression equipment, and collective NBC system of the Type 85 Mortar Carriers;
they also carry aiming stakes and equipment to ground-mount their mortars. As
the Type 90 Mortar Carriers are somewhat larger than the Type 86 Mortar
Carriers, they carry somewhat more ammunition for their mortars, and have more
internal room for crew and their equipment than on the Type 85 Mortar Carriers.
Type 90 Mortar Carriers are typically equipped with a Mortar Fire Control
Computer, and can to a limited extent plot their own fire by using this
computer. Though normally the mortar is fired over the rear of the vehicle, the
Type 90 mortar carriers have the rare ability to fire through a 360-degree arc.
The 81/82mm-carrying version is designated the YW-384, and the
120mm-carrying version the YW-385.
Though the Chinese are willing to equip the Type 90 Mortar Carriers with
Western-compatible mortars, so far, this does not appear to have been done,
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
YW-382 |
$143,242 |
D, A |
710 kg |
14.7 tons |
4 |
11 |
Passive IR (D) |
Shielded |
YW-383 |
$115,554 |
D, A |
700 kg |
14.8 tons |
5 |
11 |
Passive IR (D) |
Shielded |
YW-384 |
$131,501 |
D, A |
950 kg |
14.9 tons |
4 |
12 |
Passive IR (D) |
Shielded |
YW-385 |
$122,187 |
D, A |
925 kg |
15.3 tons |
5 |
12 |
Passive IR (D) |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
YW-382 |
152/107 |
42/30/4 |
400+300 |
119 |
Stnd |
T4 |
HF6 HS3
HR2 |
YW-383 |
151/106 |
42/29/4 |
400+300 |
119 |
Stnd |
T4 |
HF6 HS3
HR2 |
YW-384 |
151/105 |
42/29/4 |
520+300 |
119 |
CiH |
T4 |
TF5 TS4
TS3 HF8
HS3 HR2 |
YW-385 |
147/103 |
41/29/4 |
520+300 |
119 |
CiH |
T4 |
TF5 TS4
TS3 HF8
HS3 HR2 |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
YW-382 |
None |
None |
81mm or 82mm Mortar, DShK or W-85 (C) |
120x81mm or 82mm, 1000x12.7mm |
YW-383 |
None |
None |
120mm Chinese/Russian or Western mortar, DShK or W-85 (C) |
50xChinese/Russian or Western 120mm, 1000x12.7mm |
YW-384 |
+1* |
None |
81mm or 82mm Mortar, W-85 |
125x81 or 82mm, 1050x12.7mm |
YW-385 |
+1* |
None |
120mm Chinese/Russian or Western Mortar, W-85 |
52xChinese/Russian 120mm, 1050x12.7mm |
*This Fire Control modifier applies only to the W-85 machinegun in its turret.
Type 05 Mortar-Howitzer
The Type 05 was
originally meant to be an export-only system, and was offered up on the
international market in 2001, with no takers.
This version was based on the original Type 90 Wheeled APC chassis.
The Type 05 has since been in service with the PLA since 2008, but is
currently used only by the PLA 127th Light Mechanized Infantry
Division and the 54th Army Group in the Jinan Military region.
These current Type 05s are based on an updated version of the Type 90
Wheeled APC, the Type 92. However,
I will include below the original export version (designated PLL-05) for
comparison and the “what-if” factor.
The Type 05 is one of those vehicles that blur the line between mortar
carrier and self-propelled howitzer.
Type 05 (Type 92
WAPC-Based)
On the Type 92
WAPC chassis is mounted a turret, which has the primary armament of a 120mm
mortar-howitzer. One might notice
that the turret bears a marked resemblance to that on the Russian 2S23 NONA-SVK.
Rumors state that the Chinese had a deal all set for 100 2S23s, but it
was cancelled at the last minute for unknown reasons.
However, the Chinese got details of the turret system, including its
armament and fire control systems.
The turret therefore is basically the NONA-SVK turret, and the mortar-howitzer
essentially the same as the Russian NONA-S.
However, the Chinese version of the NONA-S is capable of firing both
120mm mortar rounds as well as 120mm howitzer rounds designed especially for the
Type 05, as well as 120mm RAP mortar rounds also specially-designed for the Type
05. (Standard 120mm mortar rounds
cannot be used with the Type 05.)
Other details will be given under its entry in Large-Caliber Guns (I will admit
that, for the moment, the entry is not there yet; a little time is all I ask
for…) Fire control in all cases is
computer-assisted: For mortar firing, the mortar is laid by GPS and an integral
mortar firing computer which allows the Type 05 itself to plot and aim its own
fires and operate independently of an FDC (though in most cases, a FIST will
still be needed for indirect fire).
For use in indirect fire in howitzer mode, the same GPS system along with a
separate fire calculation computer specific to howitzer mode does the same job
when the gun is firing howitzer rounds.
In direct-fire mode, a third fire control computer is used in connection
with a laser rangefinder to help the gunner line up his shots, like any other
vehicle conducting direct fire with a large-caliber gun.
In mortar or howitzer modes, the gun may be fed by an autoloader that
allows the Type 05 to conduct sustained shelling (the duration of this, of
course, will be dependent upon ammunition supply -- and whether counterbattery
fire finds them.) The Type 05 does
not carry the baseplate, or bipod of normal mortar carriers, as the
mortar-howitzer is not dismountable from the vehicle.
However, as a last-ditch backup for conduct of indirect fire, the Type 05
carries aiming stakes in a bag strapped to the side of the hull and manual fire
plotting tools. The mortar-howitzer
has a high degree of flexibility, with full turret traverse and fire and gun
elevation and depression ranging from +80 degrees to -8 degrees.
The mortar-howitzer has semiautomatic loading, which basically means that
it loads like a tank, with a loader and gunner.
It uses a 52-caliber barrel length.
Physically, the
Type 05 looks like the Type 92 in the hull, with the driver’s cab separated from
the hull by an airtight and armored bulkhead that not only protects the driver
from hits that penetrate most of the hull, but also prevents gasses from the
mortar-howitzer or from exterior chemical attack from entering the driver’s
compartment. The driver has
conventional controls as well as an automatic transmission and steering and
brakes which are switchable from automatic or manual (and the manual modes can
also be used as a backup). The driver has three large windshields to the front
and each side, and can access a night vision block set in his overhead hatch.
The entire vehicle has heating, air conditioning, and an NBC overpressure system
with a collective NBC backup, but the driver and the fighting compartments have
their own independent systems for these functions.
The turret is basically a squared-off oval mounted in the center of the
hull, with the turret having hatches for the commander and loader atop, and the
gunner using the loader’s hatch. In addition to the 120mm mortar-howitzer, the
Type 05 has a coaxial Type 59 machinegun, along with a W-85 heavy machinegun as
a commander’s weapon. The
commander’s position is ringed by vision blocks. The Type 05 has four smoke
grenade launchers on either side of the turret.
Ammunition is carried in both the hull and turret, as are the radios; the
radio suite consists of two data-capable long-range radios, one medium-range
radio, and three short-range radios, ensuring necessary communications.
A ruggedized laptop helps sort out and sift data.
The vehicle is guided using BNSS, which is the Chinese version of GPS.
Other than a
fighting compartment specific to its mission and the resultant ammunition
storage, the Type 05’s hull is virtually identical to that of the Type 92 WAPC.
This includes an uprated version of the German-designed KHB F8L-413F
diesel engine, coupled to an automatic transmission.
This gives the Type 05 320 horsepower; though as a result of the higher
weight it is not as agile as its Type 93 forebearer, it still does well enough.
The tires are run-flat and puncture-resistant, and the driver has
controls for central tire-pressure regulation.
However, all firing ports and associated vision blocks are deleted on the
Type 05. The rear doors remain, as
they are quite useful for reloading the Type 05, especially during a long fire
mission.
PLL-05 (Original Export
Version, Type 90 WAPC-Based)
The PLL-05 is
for the most part like the Type 05 but…just a little less so.
The turret is the same turret, and the armament is the same; the primary
differences are in the hull. The
driver’s cab is similar to the Type 05, but it has no airtight, armored bulkhead
between it and the fighting compartment, and it does not have independent
systems for heating, air conditioning, and the NBC overpressure or its
collective NBC backup. The driver
also does not have the night vision block in his overhead hatch.
The turret has only three smoke grenade launchers on each side of the
turret. As with the Type 05, the
rear doors remain, though all firing ports and associated vision blocks are
deleted. Of course, the PLL-05 is
equipped with the original KHD F8L-413F turbocharged diesel engine, which
develops only 256 horsepower, and is linked to a manual transmission.
Most other features remain the same as on the Type 05. Many speculations
on why the PLL-05 got no export bites have been made, but most of them center
around cost and the fact that the Russians are willing to sell their 2S23 for a
smaller (real-world) price.
Type 07PA
The Type 07PA is
based on the upgraded Type 07 APC; though the Type 07 APC was not chosen for
production (in favor of the Type 09), the Type 07PA was in fact chosen for
production, to supplement the Type 05, not totally replace it.
The Type 07PA has a Dong Feng Cummins 6LTAA8.9-C340 355-horsepower
engine, but also weighs 17 tons, so the extra engine power is offset by the
higher weight of the vehicle. The vehicle has a central tire pressure regulation
system. It uses the same gun as the
Type 05 (which is a copy of the Russian 2S23 Nona-SVK, despite what the Chinese
say). The Type 07PA’s greater
weight is partially due to increased armor protection, though the Type 07PA also
carries precision-guided howitzer-type rounds and additional fire control
equipment, as well as more internal ammunition.
The rear doors are retained, though the firing ports in the rear and
sides are not. (The firing port
windows are retained, however, where possible.)
The Type 7PA is
not amphibious. A tracked version
is rumored to be in development. For export, the Type 07PA is known as the
CS/SM2. The Type 07PA should not be
confused with the Type 07 wheeled howitzer, though they do use the same hull and
chassis.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
Type 05 |
$687,723 |
D, A |
350 kg |
16.1 tons |
4 |
12 |
Passive IR (D, G), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G) |
Shielded |
PLL-05 |
$624,872 |
D, A |
350 kg |
16.1 tons |
4 |
12 |
Passive IR (D, G), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G) |
Shielded |
Type 07PA |
$812,588 |
D, A |
371 kg |
17 tons |
4 |
14 |
Passive IR (D, G), Image Intensification (G), Thermal Imaging (G) |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
Type 05 |
153/79 |
43/22/4 |
300 |
118 |
Trtd |
W(4) |
TF6 TS5
TR4 HF6
HS4 HR3 |
PLL-05 |
132/66 |
37/18/3 |
450 |
94 |
Trtd |
W(4) |
TF6 TS5
TR4 HF6
HS4 HR3 |
Type 07PA |
159/111 |
44/22 |
450 |
126 |
Trtd |
W(4) |
TF7 TS6
TR4 HF7
HS5 HR4 |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
Type 05 |
+1/+3 |
None/Fair* |
120mm Type 05 Mortar-Howitzer, Type 59, W-85 (C) |
30x120mm Mortar-Type Rounds, 6x120mm Howitzer-Type rounds, 1000x7.62mm,
500x12.7mm |
PLL-05 |
+1/+3 |
None/Fair* |
120mm Type 05 Mortar-Howitzer, Type 59, W-85 (C) |
30x120mm Mortar-Type Rounds, 6x120mm Howitzer-Type rounds, 1000x7.62mm,
500x12.7mm |
Type 07PA |
+2/+3 |
None/Good* |
120mm Type 05 Mortar-Howitzer, Type 59, W-85 (C) |
32x120mm Mortar-Type Rounds, 7x120mm Howitzer-Type rounds, 4xPGMM,
1100x7.62mm, 600x12.7mm |
*Fire Control and stabilization are for Mortar and Howitzer Mode (before the
slash) and direct-fire mode (after the slash).