The SH2 is a wheeled self-propelled howitzer designed and manufactured by the Chinese Defence Company Norinco. The SH2 artillery system was first unveiled at the Abu Dhabi International Defence Exhibition in 2007 (IDEX 2007) held between 18 and 22 February, and is being actively promoted to the export market. The lightweight and high-mobility features of this artillery system may be of special appeal to the PLA airborne force and marine corps. The SH2 has demonstrated superior performance under all weather conditions and a wide range of altitudes, and it can be equipped with special gear as per mission requirement. The howitzer retained the distinctive multi-baffle muzzle brake and recoil-recuperator mechanism mounted above the gun barrel on the original D-30/Type 86. The howitzer barrel is electric-operated, with an elevation of 0 - 70 degrees. 24 rounds are carried on board the vehicle. The SH2 is operated by a crew of 4 - 5 people and has a combat weight of 11,500 kg. The system can transform between travelling and combat mode within 45 - 50 seconds. A typical mission of transforming from travelling mode to combat mode, firing six rounds, and transforming back to the travelling mode can be completed with 2 minutes.
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| Armament |
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The SH2 is armed with a Russian made D-30 122mm, but it can be also equipped with the PL96 a Chinese copy of the Russian towed howitzer D-30. The PL96 towed howitzer is also mounted on other Chinese self-propelled howitzers as the Type 89 and Type 85. The SH2 is compatible with the D-30 ammunition. The maximum range of fire for the SH2 depends on the projectile and charge combination. It is 22 km with an extended-range projectile and 27 km with a rocket-assisted projectile. The 122 mm is mounted on a turntable which is fitted on a flatbed at the rear of the crew compartment. The 122 mm howitzer retained the distinctive multi-baffle muzzle brake and recoil-recuperator mechanism mounted above the gun barrel on the original D-30/Type 86. The howitzer barrel is electric-operated, with an elevation of 0~70 degrees. 24 rounds are carried on board the vehicle. In the travelling position, the gun is fixed on the top of the crew cabin. The SH2 platform can accept any weapon system under the weight of 3.6 tons and has been successfully tested with a 122 mm and a 105 mm howitzer mounted.
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| Design and protection |
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The SH2 is fitted with an armoured cabin mounted at the front of the chassis which provide protection for the crew against small arms firing and shell splinters. Each side of the crew compartment is equipped with two forward opening doors, with a large bulletproof window in the upper part. The front of the crew cabin has two large bulletproof windows which provide the same level of protection as the crew compartment of the vehicle.
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| Propulsion |
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The SH2 122 mm self-propelled artillery system is based on a 6 × 6 cross country light truck chassis that appears to be a new design with the front and rear axles, both of which steer, being at the extreme ends of the chassis. XLW-TB weapon platforms are developed by the Chinese Company Xiaolong Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. This series comes with a conventional cab and bullet-proof bodywork. The SH2 comes with full-time 6x6 drives. It is equipped with Cummins 136 kW or 150kW diesel engine or Steyr 160 kW diesel engine. The series is equipped with portal axles, variable rigidity coil spring suspension, inter-axial and inter-wheel differential locks, central tyre inflation system and pneumatic hydraulic twin circuit disk brake system. The SH2 vehicle is capable of climbing 60% gradient., and has a turning radius of less than 13m.
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| Accessories |
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The SH2 is also with a computerized fire-control system, including GPS navigation and positioning, targeting, and communications systems, all of which adopt the modular design for easy maintenance and upgrade. The artillery is used within a C4ISR network at the company or battalion level. The SH2 is fitted with a central-inflating system. A spare wheel is mounted at the rear of the vehicle. The SH2 is also is equipped with two hydraulically operated stabilizers mounted at the rear of the vehicle which is lowered in preparation for the firing.
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| Specifications |
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Armament
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One 122mm howitzer or 105 mm howitzer
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Country users
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Ghana, Lebanon on trial test
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Designer Country
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China
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Accessories
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Fire-control system with GPS navigation and positioning, targeting, and communications systems, central-inflating system
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Crew
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5 soldiers
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Armor
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Protection against small arms firing and shell splinters.
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Weight
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| 11,500 kg |
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Speed
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90 km/h maximum road speed
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Range
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600 km
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Dimensions
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Length, 8.50 m; Width, 2.50 m; Height, 2.95 m
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