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.
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.