The WMZ322 is a 122mm tracked self-propelled howitzer designed and manufactured by the Chinese Defense Company NORINCOP (North Industries Corporation). First information about this artillery systems was released in 2005, but NORINCO has never published technical details about the product. According some Chinese military sources, the WMZ322 is proposed for the export under the name of SH-3.
Country Users: China, Rwanda
Technical Data
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Armament
The WMZ322 / SH-3 is fitted with a turret very similar to the PLZ-89 an older version of Chinese-made 122mm tracked self-propelled howitzer. It use the same type of main armament which consists of one Type 89 122mm 32-calibre howitzer gun barrel developed from the Type 85 122mm towed howitzer, which features the box-shape shield for the recoil-recuperator mechanism mounted above the tube and the multi-baffle muzzle brake. The artillery weapon system is fitted with a semi-automatic loading system offering a rate of fire of 6 to 8 rounds per minute. The main gun has a maximum firing range of 18 km with standard ammunition, 22 km with EFRB (Extend Range Full Bore) and 27 km with RAP (Rocket Assisted Projectiles) ammunition. The vehicle can carry a total of 40 ammunition. A 12.7mm machine gun is mounted on the roof of the turret, at the front hatch commander. There is also four smoke grenade dischargers on each side of the turret.
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Design and protection
The layout of the WMZ322 / SH-3 is very similar to the PLZ-89 especially for the turret design but with another suspension. Another feature to identify the WMZ322 is that the driver is located at the front left of the hull while for the PLZ-89, there two hatches, with driver at the same place but with the commander hatch just behind its position. The WMS322 has a crew of five. The turret is mounted at the rear of the hull which has a single door located at the rear. The hull and turret offers protection against firing of small arms caliber and artillery shell splinters.
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Mobility
The WMZ322 / SH-3 is motorized with a BF 8 M 1015 CP water-cooled diesel engine developing 450 hp. based on the German-made DEUTZ 1015 engine. It can run at a maximum road speed of 60 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 500 km. The torsion bar suspension consists on each side of six double rubber-tired road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front, idler at the rear and three track-return rollers.
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Combat Equipment
Standard equipment of the WMZ322 / SH-3 includes infrared night vision, meteorological mast, NBC protection system, automatic fire suppression system and GPS positioning system. The WMZ322 is also fitted with an automatic firing control system which includes a digital firing control computer, day/night optical sight and laser range finder mounted on the top of the turret.
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