Editing PLZ-05 (section)

==History==
Class: Self-Propelled Howitzer<br>
Developed: 2000-2005<br>
Service: 2005+<br>
Vehicles Built: 300-400<br>
Operators: China

The PLZ-05 is a modern Chinese self-propelled howitzer, designed to match and surpass the performance of western SPGs such as the Panzerhaubitze 2000. The PLZ-05 marks the switch from the Soviet 152mm caliber to the NATO 155mm one in order to increase the vehicle’s firepower by using more advanced western technology. To that end, the PLZ-05 mounts a 155mm automatically loaded L/52 howitzer.

The autoloader mechanism design was based on the Russian 2S19 Msta-S artillery. The autoloader is located at the back of the massive turret that can traverse 360 degrees. The ammunition consists of shells and charges which are also stored in the back of the turret in two layers on top of each other. The autoloader automatically selects the charge size based on the range entered by the gunner. This mechanism allows the gun to fire up to 8 rounds per minute on average, but the weapon is capable of firing in bursts – it can fire 4 rounds in 15 seconds in Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact mode where all four shells drop on the target at the same time. The vehicle carries 30 rounds of ammunition. A considerable number of these high-end but expensive vehicles were built since 2005 and around 300 to 400 are currently in service.