This is the largest of the NORINCO (China North Industries Corporation) heavy mineclearing rocket systems. It is mounted on a cradle assembly carried on the rear of a tracked vehicle chassis which is very similar to that of the NORINCO Type 83 152 mm self-propelled gun-howitzer. This chassis is also used for the Type 1989 120 mm tank destroyer. As far as it is known, neither of these two systems nor the NORINCO 425 mm Type 762 (2-round) mineclearing rocket system have been exported. It is understood that there has been no recent production of these full-tracked chassis by NORINCO. The chassis is of all-welded steel armour, which provides the crew with protection from small arms fire and shell splinters.
Description
The driver is seated at the front of the hull on the left side with the power pack, consisting of the diesel engine, transmission and cooling system, to the right. The remainder of the crew are seated in the fully enclosed and protected compartment that is located at the rear. The warhead section weighs 621 kg and probably contains a sectionalised payload of fuel-air explosive containers, in order to create the blast overpressure required to clear a minefield. The range is from 800 to 1,000 m using a 129 kg, fin-equipped, solid propellant rocket motor section, to attain a maximum flight velocity of 98 m/s. Each rocket can clear a passage 130 m long and between 12 and 22 m wide. The vehicle is equipped with a 7.62 mm machine gun for self-defence purposes which can be dismounted for use on a special anti-aircraft tripod. Firing ports for rifles are located on either side of the crew compartment and at the rear where a door is provided for access. The launcher system is hydraulically controlled. Other systems available for the crew include Type 803 intercom system, Type 889 radio set, panoramic sight Type WG002, 0.5 m stereo-optical range-finder system and a Type TYG-1 night vision set for the driver.