AR3 / PHL-16 - 300/370/750 mm

The field rocket system is a weapon for the army to win ground fighting. Among the heavy firepower weapons of the People's Liberation Army, the PHL-03 type (foreign trade model AR-2) long-range rocket launcher has the longest range. It is almost tailor-made for the "Fire Dragon 140" 300mm rocket. It is installed in 12 units and has a maximum range of 150 Km, using satellite precision guidance, the attack accuracy can reach within 10 meters.

The PCL-191 long-range multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), capable of firing 370mm rockets 350km (217 miles) or 750mm ballistic missiles 500km, was seen January 2015 in the background of the year-opening training session of an artillery brigade in the southern province of Guangdong, according to photos published on the 74th Group Army’s official social media account. It was the first public display of the updated weapon, one of the world’s most powerful of its kind. The demonstration followed the purchase by Taiwan of a truck-based MLRS with a comparable range from the United States in October 2014. The PCL-191 that appeared in Monday’s photos has a different fire load than previously seen in public, with 10 300mm rocket launchers in two five-pack containers, instead of the eight 370mm launchers in two four-packs viewed on the original version that rumbled through Tiananmen Square on the back of heavy trucks Today, the artillery brigades of the Army’s group armies have successively begun to install PHL-16 domestically-made new box-type long-range rockets, and they will be unveiled in the 70th anniversary of the National Day parade. The biggest difference in appearance is that Type 03 is a 12-gang tube rocket launcher; Type 16 is two independent storage, transportation, and launch multi-purpose modular boxes, which improve firepower and combat efficiency.

The AR3 multiple launcher rocket system can fire both 370 mm and 300 mm rockets by using launching-transporting container system. The new AR3 Multiple Launch Rocket System with two four-round rocket pods was being marketed in 2010 by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO). Based on an 8 x 8 chassis, it is able to fire guided and unguided 300 mm rockets and a new 370 mm calibre guided rocket. Designed for deployment at battalion or battery level, the AR3 can also be operated as a stand-alone single launcher. Reaction time is 20 seconds at battalion level or 15 seconds at battery level. According to NORINCO, it features an advanced meteorological survey system, command-and-control system and support system, as well as a high degree of automation, but no details were given. Company documentation cites a laying accuracy of 1 mil and a circular error probable of less than 50 meters.

With guided rockets and simple controlled rockets, the AR3 MLRS features long range, high firing accuracy, great battlefield coverage, mass and violent fire-power, high lethality ammunition, as well as highly automatic operation, short fire reaction time, high mobility and high survivability. By accurately suppressing and eliminating enemy strong-point, area targets and concentrated targets with instantaneous and intensive fire-power, AR3 370 mm / 300 mm MLRS provides significant campaign and tactical values.

The AR3 MLRS can execute fire missions normally by battalion or battery as its basic firing unit, yet it can also execute fir missions autonomously by single launcher. With advanced meteorological survey system, command & control system and support system, effective fire assault and neutralization of various ground targets can be implemented.

The PHL-16 (foreign trade model AR-3) rocket launcher adopts a modular design and is compatible with missile bodies of different calibers. Its 2 launch modules can each be equipped with 5 300mm rockets, 4 370mm rockets or 1 750mm rocket. Moreover, the two modules can be arbitrarily matched to achieve a co-frame launch, which has significantly improved the range, firepower, and attack methods.

In order to simplify logistics support, the 16-type "box fire" and the 03-tube rocket launcher adopt the same 8×8 high-mobility carrier chassis. The maximum highway speed can reach 60 kilometers per hour, the maneuverability is excellent, and almost all regions and all-weather operation are realized. And the degree of information is high, terrain positioning, trajectory positioning, and launch elevation confirmation are automatically completed, and the entire vehicle can be launched with only three people.

The ammunition of the Type 16 rocket is the "Fire Dragon" series of rockets. Among them, the "Fire Dragon 140" type 300 mm rocket has an effective range of 150 kilometers; the "Fire Dragon 280" type 370 mm rocket has a range of 280 kilometers; and the "Fire Dragon 480" type 750 mm rocket has a range of up to 300 kilometers. , The Chinese Army’s own model is expected to reach 400 kilometers.

At the 2018 Zhuhai Air Show, the "Fire Dragon 480 750mm Guided Rocket" was publicly unveiled. The "Fire Dragon 480" completed the development and test launch in 2017. The projectile is 7.38 meters long and can install a 480 kg high-explosive/prefabricated fragment warhead. According to the needs of the mission, special warheads such as burrowing and spreading can also be used, and the attack accuracy is within a few meters. This type of rocket uses inertial guidance + Beidou navigation. The foreign trade type can also be equipped with guidance modes such as GPS and infrared imaging.