PHL-03

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PHL-03
PHL-03 on display at Beijing's Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution, 2017
TypeMultiple rocket launcher
Place of originChina
Service history
In service2004–present
Used by
Wars
Production history
ManufacturerChina Ordnance Industries Group Corporation Limited
Specifications
Mass43 t[1]
Length12 m (39 ft 4 in)[1]
Width3 m (10 ft)[1]
Height3 m (10 ft)[1]
Crew4[1]
Caliber300 mm (12 in)
Barrels12
Maximum firing range70–130 km (43–81 mi)[1]
EngineDiesel engine
500 hp (370 kW)[1]
Suspension8×8 wheeled
Operational
range
650 km (400 mi)[1]
Maximum speed 60 km/h (37 mph)[1]

The PHL-03 is a truck-mounted self-propelled 12-tube 300 mm long-range multiple rocket launcher of the People's Republic of China.

The system is beginning to be replaced by the more modular and newer PHL-16.

History and development

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In the 1980s, the People's Liberation Army Ground Force planned to procure long-range multiple rocket launchers and explored options from several Chinese military corporations. Four companies bid in the competition:

In the end, the AR-1 multiple rocket launcher system was chosen by the People's Liberation Army Ground Force, which received designation PHL-03. After the competition, these companies started to export their products. China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) did not participate in the bidding process due to time constraints, but CASIC revealed its first MLRS design, SY-400, in the Zhuhai Airshow 2008.[2]

AR-1 (PHL-03) was considered to be the most conservative option in the competition, as the system was a derivative of the BM-30 Smerch multiple launch rocket system, with reverse-engineered technology, though PHL-03 was not a pure copy of BM-30, as both systems were not compatible in ammunition and fire controls.[2] The reverse-engineer made the AR-1 the most mature option out of the competition, ensuring fast-tracked delivery to the PLA.[2] To improve the capability of the PHL-03, Norinco Changchun also developed Fire Dragon guided rocket series.[2]

Design

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The design is based on the Soviet-made BM-30 Smerch rocket artillery system. The main role of this multiple rocket launcher is to engage strategic targets such as large concentrations of troops, airfields, command centres, air defense batteries, and support facilities. It is also used to engage in counter-battery fire missions.

The PHL-03 has the same configuration as the original Soviet counterpart with 12 launch tubes for 300 mm artillery rockets, along with a computerised fire-control system (FCS) incorporating GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou.

Rockets

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See also: BRE (rocket)

The PHL-03 uses the 300 mm (12 in) rockets of the BRE family, namely the BRC4, BRE2, and the guided Fire Dragon 140A, which have a range of 130 km (81 mi).[3]

A standard weight for each rocket is 800 kg (1,800 lb) with a 280 kg (620 lb) warhead. Maximum firing range depends on warhead type, with around 70–130 km (43–81 mi). Standard warheads are high-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG), fuel-air explosive, and cluster warheads with anti-armor and anti-personnel submunitions. Cluster warheads can also carry self-targeting anti-tank munitions. A full salvo of this system could potentially cover an area of up to 67 hectares (170 acres). In October 2020, it was reported that a new type of rocket was being deployed on the PHL-03 with a range 30 km (19 mi) longer than normal, suggesting a range of 160 km (99 mi).[3]

Variants

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  • PHL-03 – Chinese military designation
  • AR-1 – Initial version of the PHL-03.[2]
  • AR-1A – Chinese development of the AR-1. A 10-round version of the AR-1, with two launching modules with each containing five rocket tubes.[4]
  • AR-2 – Development of the AR-1. Export version.[2][5]
  • AR-3 – Development of the AR-1.[2] Export version with 300 mm (12 in) or 370 mm (15 in) rockets[6]

Operators

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 People's Republic of China
 Cambodia
 Morocco
 Ethiopia
 Armenia - AR-1A (Reported)[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "PHL03 - Multiple launch rocket system". Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "传说终成现实 解放军火箭炮打过海峡究竟靠什么". Phoenix New Media. 29 February 2016.
  3. ^ a b Cranny-Evans, Samuel (20 October 2020). "PLAGF's PHL-03 MRL armed with new, longer-range guided rocket, says Chinese state media". Janes.com. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  4. ^ "AR1A". armyrecognition.
  5. ^ Malyasov, Dylan (18 August 2017). "Chinese artillerymen conducted exercise with PHL-03 rocket launchers". Defense Blog.
  6. ^ Foss, Christopher F. (24 February 2015). "Long-range firepower [IDX15D2]". Archived from the original on 12 November 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  7. ^ Verma, Vivek (April 2020). "Appraisal of PLA Artillery Modernisation". Issue Brief (220). Centre for Land Warfare Studies: 2. Archived from the original on 27 December 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  8. ^ Arey, Kong (1 June 2022). "More firepower: RCAF boosts defensive capabilities with top-notch armoury". KHMER TIMES. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  9. ^ Elkorri, Mohamed (22 February 2023). "Le Maroc envisagerait l'achat de lance-roquettes israéliens PULS". L'Opinion (in French). Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Arms Transfers Database: Transfer data, China to Ethiopia, ordered 2017". SIPRI Arms Transfers Database (Searchable database). Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  11. ^ Mitzer, Stijn; Oliemans, Joost (15 September 2021). "Go Ballistic: Tigray's Forgotten Missile War With Ethiopia and Eritrea". Oryx. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  12. ^ Harutyunyan, Sargis (19 August 2013). "New Chinese Rockets 'Acquired By Armenia'". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան (in Armenian). Retrieved 31 December 2023.