PLZ-45

Infobox Weapon
name=PLZ45 Self-Propelled Howitzer


caption=
origin=PRC
type=Self-propelled artillery
is_vehicle=yes
is_ranged=yes
is_artillery=yes
length=10.52 m
width=3.3 m
height=3.52 m (with AAMG)
weight=33 tons
cartridge=
caliber=155 mm
barrels=
action=
rate= 5 rounds/min (max); 2 rounds/min (sustained)
velocity=
range= 75 km (75,000 m)
max_range=
feed=
sights=
breech=
recoil=
carriage=
elevation=
traverse=360°
suspension=torsion bar
speed=35 mph (56 km/h)
vehicle_range=450 km
primary_armament=155 mm howitzer
secondary_armament=12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun/ 2 sets of 4-barrel grenade launchers
armour=
engine=diesel
crew=5
engine_power=520 hp
pw_ratio=

The PLZ-45 is a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer used by the People's Liberation Army of China and the Kuwaiti Army.

The system was designed by Su Zhezi [苏哲子] of 674 Factory, and developed by Norinco, 123 Factory (Heilongjiang Hua’an Industry Group Company--黑龙江华安工业集团公司), 127 Factory (Tsitsihar Heping Machine Shop--和平机器制造厂), 674 Factory (Harbin First Machine Manufacture Limited Company 哈尔滨第一机器制造厂) and Beijing University of Science and Technology. It is based on Norinco's Type 89 (PLL01) 155mm/45-calibre towed gun-howitzer.

Saudi Arabia has purchased the howitzer and is expected to become a major user. [1]

References

* [http://www.sinodefence.com/army/artillery/plz45sp_155mm.asp PLZ45 155MM SELF-PROPELLED GUN-HOWITZER]
* [http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htart/articles/20080815.aspx]