Images of a new Chinese 155-mm self-propelled howitzer based on the VN-22 8x8 armored car have been published online. Foreign observers gave this product the symbol SH-16A, as they believe that the development is based on the previously noticed SH-16 ACS.
The SH-16A has a modular turret, which allows you to install various equipment on it, implementing a variety of approaches to equipping a self-propelled gun.
The VN-22 armored vehicle, acting in this case as an ACS platform, was introduced in 2021 by Norinco as a product intended for export. It also has a modular design that allows you to install various weapons systems depending on the needs of the customer.
SH-16AThe SH-16, which is presumably the basis for the new howitzer, is a 155-52mm 6x6 self-propelled gun. Its weight is 32 tons, the weight of the tower is 14 tons. The crew consists of only two people: a driver and a gunner.
The SH-16 ACS automates key processes, including gun guidance, tying the fuse firing distance, loading the projectile and working with the propellant charge, minimizing the need for manual control.
SH-16AThe SH-16 implements advanced technological solutions, including modular charges, automatic charging and intelligent control systems. At the same time, one of the key innovations is the introduction of laser charge ignition. Unlike the standard mechanism involving the ignition of gunpowder with a capsule, the Chinese ale howitzer uses the energy of a laser beam aimed at a propellant charge for this purpose.
