China deploys a new variant of the DZJ08 80mm rocket launcher with a programmable warhead to support breaching operations in urban combat.

As reported by Amaël Kotlarski on May 20, 2025, a new variant of the Chinese DZJ-08 80mm recoilless weapon system has been observed featuring a DNS181 high-explosive fragmentation (HE-Frag) warhead with programmable air-burst capability. The associated fire control system, suspected to be designated DRU181, appears to be detachable and reusable across multiple disposable launchers. The fire control interface includes a digital screen and full keypad, which, according to Kotlarski, might be designed for language-related input rather than tactical optimization.
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The DZJ-08, officially known as the Type 08 80 mm Individual Multipurpose Assault Weapon System, is China's first shoulder-launched weapon designed for low-signature firing in confined environments. (Picture source: Twitter/Amaël Kotlarski)

Amaël Kotlarski added that the system does not appear to include a laser rangefinder and compared its simplicity to other Chinese designs. Social media comparisons with the European MBDA Enforcer were addressed by Kotlarski, who clarified that the DZJ-08 is unguided and considerably less complex than the fire-and-forget guided Enforcer missile, which is heavier and more expensive.

An airburst munition, such as the DNS181, is an advanced type of explosive projectile designed to detonate in midair at a predetermined point, rather than upon impact. This detonation method is achieved through programmable fuzes, which can be set electronically via fire control systems or through other means such as magnetic induction or optical signals. Once programmed, the munition calculates its distance traveled, often by counting rotations during flight, and detonates at the optimal moment to maximize its effect. The primary utility of airburst munitions lies in their ability to engage targets that are concealed behind cover, within trenches, or inside structures, areas where traditional impact-detonated munitions might be less effective. By exploding above or near such targets, airburst munitions disperse shrapnel over a wider area, increasing the likelihood of neutralizing threats. They are particularly effective against infantry in defilade positions, light vehicles, and even low-flying unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

The DZJ-08, officially known as the Type 08 80 mm Individual Multipurpose Assault Weapon System, is a shoulder-fired, single-use recoilless weapon developed by the Chinese company Norinco between 2000 and 2008. The system was introduced to replace earlier Chinese weapons such as the Type 69 RPG and the PF-89A, which presented safety risks due to backblast in confined environments. The DZJ-08 employs a sealed balance projection firing system based on the Davis gun principle, using a rearward-ejected plastic counter-mass to mitigate recoil. This feature reduces pressure waves, muzzle flash, and noise, enabling use in enclosed spaces such as buildings, trenches, or vehicles. The launcher includes a detachable optical sight, folding front grip, and integrated carrying handle. Firing instructions are printed directly on the launch tube. The projectile is fin-stabilized and housed with the counter-mass in a sealed fiberglass launcher tube. The system is designed for issues at the individual level within PLA infantry units.

The weapon has a total mass of 7.6 kilograms and a length of 971 millimeters. It fires an 80×428 mm rocket with a projectile weight of 1.65 kilograms. Muzzle velocity is 172 meters per second. The effective firing range extends from a minimum of 25 meters to a maximum of 300 meters. Designed for anti-armor, anti-fortification, and anti-personnel applications, the warhead contains magnesium and thermite and can penetrate 25 mm of steel at a 65° angle or 30 mm at 0°. It can also breach up to 500 mm of reinforced concrete, surpassing the PF-89A's capability of 300 mm. The blast radius is limited to approximately seven meters. The optical sight, with 1× and 3× magnification options, is detachable and foldable. The launcher is designed for firing from the right shoulder only, as the sight placement does not support left-handed operation. The optical sight does not support night use.

By exploding above or near targets, airburst munitions, such as the DNS181, disperse shrapnel over a wider area, increasing the likelihood of neutralizing threats. (Picture source: Twitter/Amaël Kotlarski)

Three known warhead variants have been fielded: the DZJ-08 multipurpose assault munition with a bunker-penetrating warhead; the DZA-11 penetrator variant with high-explosive fragmentation for anti-personnel effects; and the DZP-11 high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) tandem-charge variant. All variants are housed in sealed launch tubes and are disposable after firing. Each warhead includes a dual-stage fuze. The first stage is designed to breach the surface of the target, while the second stage creates an entry man-sized breach hole of approximately 0.5 meters in diameter. This dual-stage mechanism is intended for defeating reinforced walls and structures, enabling infantry to create access points in urban environments. According to Chinese sources, the explosive fill includes 630 grams of material divided between two stages, with a delay of approximately 4 milliseconds between activation stages to maximize structural disruption.

The DZJ-08's internal firing system includes a fixed combustion chamber and rearward-ejected counter-mass composed of plastic discs. Earlier design concepts involving high-pressure combustion chambers and liquid counterweights were rejected due to performance variability, increased stress on components, and risks associated with long-term storage or impact damage. The current solid counter-mass configuration produces consistent internal ballistics and reduces vulnerability to aging or mechanical failure. Tail fin deployment was also modified following issues with retention rings interfering with stability. The adopted solution involved repositioning and reshaping the tail fin mounts to ensure consistent unfolding after launch.

The firing process begins with activation of a mechanical trigger system that ignites a primer, which in turn lights the ignition tube. Combustion gases propel the projectile forward and the counter-mass rearward. Both pistons impact deformation rings at the ends of the launcher, sealing the gases inside the launch tube and minimizing visual and acoustic signatures. The sealed design results in lower sound levels, approximately equivalent to a 9 mm pistol, and limits the infrared and visual signature compared to older rocket-propelled systems. The system's rate of fire is between five and seven rounds per minute, constrained by its single-use nature and reloading time.

The new DNS181 programmable air-burst warhead represents an operational evolution for the DZJ-08 platform. Although still unguided, the air-burst function allows the projectile to detonate above or behind cover, enhancing its effectiveness against entrenched personnel or targets concealed behind obstacles. The DRU181 fire control system supports this function through manual input, allowing pre-set detonation parameters. While the exact specifications of the DNS181 and DRU181 are not fully confirmed, initial assessments indicate the fire control system can be transferred from one launcher to another, potentially reducing cost and simplifying field logistics.

The DZJ-08's launch tube is made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP), which provides the necessary strength to withstand internal pressure during firing, offers thermal insulation to protect the operator, and ensures resistance to environmental factors. (Picture source: Chinese MoD)

The DZJ-08 was China's first shoulder-launched weapon designed for low-signature firing in confined environments. Compared to earlier Chinese systems such as the PF-89 and the PF-98 series, the DZJ-08 provides more consistent internal ballistics, lower acoustic and visual signature, and increased structural penetration. It is reportedly issued to every soldier in PLA infantry squads regardless of their primary role, including squad leaders, riflemen, machine gunners, and snipers. Unlike comparable Western systems such as the German Armbrust (67 mm) or Swedish AT4-CS (84 mm), the DZJ-08 focuses on modularity and cost-effective production while maintaining compatibility with a variety of warhead types. According to official Chinese sources, the system was finalized after a seven-year development program and entered mass production in 2008.

The DZJ-08 platform continues to evolve with the integration of programmable ammunition and simplified control interfaces. Although it lacks guidance features and night-firing capability, its compatibility with different warheads and its sealed-firing mechanism make it suitable for short-range engagements, structural breaching, and attacks on lightly armored vehicles. With the integration of DNS181 and DRU181 components, the system now incorporates precision detonation timing, extending its tactical applications without departing from the original design principles. This suggests an ongoing effort by China to enhance infantry weapon flexibility while managing procurement and logistical constraints.

When speaking about material composition, the DZJ-08's launch tube is manufactured from fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) using a multi-layer filament winding process at varying angles. This material provides the necessary strength to withstand internal pressure during firing, offers thermal insulation to protect the operator, and ensures resistance to environmental factors. Both ends of the launch tube are reinforced with high-strength aluminum alloy rings that function as part of the braking mechanism, absorbing the impact from the front and rear pistons and contributing to the containment of combustion gases within the sealed firing system. Hardened steel is used in mechanical components such as the trigger assembly, detonation mechanism, and structural reinforcements to maintain operational reliability under mechanical stress and firing conditions.

The counter-mass, essential to the Davis gun-based sealed balance projection system, is made from stacked foamed plastic plates. This material provides the required mass for recoil balancing while remaining within weight constraints and minimizing the risk of structural damage from accidental impact. External features including the folding front grip, carrying handle, and housing elements are composed of polymer materials to reduce overall system weight and support handling during deployment. The optical sight, designed for daytime use, contains optical glass for targeting and is mounted in either a plastic or aluminum frame. It is foldable to minimize the risk of breakage during movement or storage. Internal gaskets and sealing membranes ensure the launcher maintains an airtight configuration, preserving its internal components and enabling safe handling, storage, and operation in varying environmental conditions.