China Unveils SH16 155mm First Tracked Howitzer with Fully Autonomous Artillery Gun System.

China has recently made significant strides in military technology, culminating in the unveiling of the SH16, a cutting-edge 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer equipped with a fully autonomous artillery turret. This development revealed through images on social media on March 13, 2024, represents a leap in warfare capabilities, particularly in terms of operational efficiency. The SH16 requires just two crew members for operation: a driver and a gunner/commander. This efficiency is made possible by its fully autonomous unmanned turret, which features an automatic loading system that allows the gunner to conduct all firing operations autonomously.
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The new Chinese-made SH16 is mounted on a tracked armored chassis and equipped with a fully autonomous artillery gun system, operated by a crew of just two soldiers. (Picture source Social Network)

A standout aspect of the SH16 howitzer is its armament, which mirrors that of the PCL-181, China's 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer. This indicates a strategic alignment towards standardizing the artillery platforms across the Chinese military, aiming for logistical efficiency and ammunition interoperability among its artillery forces.

Further advancing its technological edge, China has completed the development of an innovative automated rotary magazine for artillery modular charges. This system, highlighted in a recent CCTV news clip, includes at least seven magazine tubes, with each capable of holding up to six propellant charges. While initially presumed to be utilized in the SH16, there's speculation that this advanced loading mechanism could also be integrated into the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) future 155mm artillery systems. Such a magazine significantly enhances the rate of fire and operational flexibility, marking a leap in artillery technology.

The SH16 itself is a comprehensive system that incorporates a modular 155mm unmanned turret, featuring subsystems for firepower, information and control, chassis, and auxiliary operations. This modular approach not only enhances the system's combat capabilities but also underscores China's commitment to pioneering in military technology.

With its 155mm caliber and barrel length that is 52 times its caliber, the SH16 boasts superior range and accuracy. Despite its advanced features, the system's design ensures a balance between firepower and mobility. The modular turret's weight is kept under 14 tons, and the total combat weight, including the truck chassis, is capped at 32 tons. This strategic balance ensures that the SH16 remains a highly maneuverable and effective system on the battlefield, signaling a significant advancement in China's military technology endeavors.

Tracked vehicles, by their very nature, provide enhanced mobility across a variety of terrains, from soft ground to rugged landscapes, enabling forces to position artillery in strategic locations with speed and efficiency. This mobility is crucial for both offensive and defensive operations, allowing for rapid redeployment in response to battlefield conditions and enemy movements.

The integration of fully autonomous systems into artillery units, as exemplified by the SH16, further elevates these advantages. The autonomous turret and advanced loading mechanisms, including the newly developed automated rotary magazine for modular charges, drastically increase the rate of fire while reducing the manpower required for operation. This not only enhances the combat effectiveness of each unit but also reduces the risk to human life, a critical consideration in modern warfare.

Moreover, the standardization of armaments across platforms, as seen in the SH16's similarity to the PCL-181, simplifies logistics and ammunition supply chains, enabling a more streamlined and efficient force projection. The automation and advanced control systems embedded in these platforms enable precision targeting and firing, crucial for achieving tactical objectives with minimal collateral damage.

Defense News March 2024