PHL-16


PHL-16 or Type 16 Multiple Launch Rocket System is an armored, truck-mounted guided modular rocket launching system. The weapons is based on the AR3, a multiple rocket system exclusively offered for export customers revealed in 2011. PHL-16 is revealed on the military parade of China's 70th anniversary in 2019. The primary objective of the PHL-16 is to engage remote tactical and strategic targets, such as airfields, vehicles and ships, logistic facilities, command centers, concentrations of troops and so on.

History

The PHL-16 is based on AR-3, an export exclusive rocket system that manufactured in China since 2011. AR-3 is based on AR-1, which itself is based on the PHL-03. AR-1 incorporates simple cascade inertial terminal guidance used on the WS series MRL with rockets from PHL-03 to create first guided rocket in China. Guided rocket later became standard for Chinese MLRS. AR-3 is the development of the AR-1 manufactured by Norinco, with its caliber increased to 370 mm.

Design

Artillery

PHL-16 uses BRE6 370 mm Fire Dragon guided rockets with maximum range of 220 km, CEP of less than 50 m.
The system is compatible with older BRE3 300 mm rockets because the modular design by incorporating two launching boxes containing several launching tubes, with the launching boxes replaced after the launching of rockets. When using 300 mm caliber rockets, each launching box contains five launching tubes, and when using 370 mm caliber rockets, each launching box contains four launching tubes.
The system can also launch two 750 mm BRE8 Fire Dragon 480 ballistic missiles with a 480 kg warhead with a range of 290 km. In this configuration, only one launching tubes will be fitted per launching box.
Similar sized TL-7B Sky Dragon anti-ship missile is also one unit per module.

Chassis

The launcher system uses Wanshan WS2400 8x8 heavy high mobility chassis. The chassis features armored cabin for the crew, which can defend against small arms fire.
The launcher system is supported by reloading vehicles. The support vehicle also uses Wanshan WS2400 8x8 heavy high mobility chassis. On the support vehicle is a crane and 2 sets of reload pods. It takes approximately 20 minutes to replace pods.

Variants

;AR-3: The export version, first revealed in 2011.
;PHL-16: The military version.

General characteristics