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Type 63 multiple rocket launcher
Type of multiple rocket launcher

The People's Republic of China developed the Type 63 multiple rocket launcher in the early 1960s as a towed, 12-tube, 107mm system, which saw widespread use with the People's Liberation Army until the late 1980s. Though no longer standard infantry equipment, it remains in service with specialized units like mountain infantry and special forces. The Type 63 succeeded the Type 50-5 102mm launcher. China also created a larger 130mm variant known as the Type 63 multiple rocket launcher of 130mm, while the Soviet RPU-14, a 140mm system, shares a similar design, highlighting its influence on multiple rocket launcher development globally.

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Description

The launcher's 12 tubes are arranged in three removable rows of four, mounted on a single-axle carriage with rubber tires. The Type 63 originally fired an 18.8 kilogram rocket (Type 63-2)2 with a 1.3 kilogram warhead.3 Ammunition for the Type 63 was later improved (Type 75 and Type 81 series), although the overall weight of the rocket remained the same.4 A fixed amount of propellant is contained in the rocket motor. The steel-cased rocket is stabilized with spin imparted by six angled nozzles in its base.56 The Type 63 was distributed on the basis of six per infantry regiment, or 18 per infantry division.7 For airborne and mountain units the lighter Type 63-I was developed.8

The Type 63 and its copies can be mounted on different kinds of armoured and unarmoured vehicles, for example the MT-LB, the Safir, the Mamba, the RG-32 Scout, the GAZ-66 and the M113.

Versions

The Type 63 and its rockets are built in several countries including:

  • Sudan – Taka.9
  • Iran – Fajr-1 of D.I.O. with Haseb-1 rocket.10
  • South Africa – RO 107 of Mechem Developments.11
  • North Korea – Type 75.
  • North Vietnam, Vietnam – H-12.
  • Turkey – Produced by MKEK as TR-107 "Anadolu" and TRB-107. Actually based on the Iranian Fajr-1 system, after some units were confiscated in a shipping vessel.12
  • Egypt – RL812/TLC of the Helwan Machinery and Equipment Factory (Factory 999).1314

BM-12 nomenclature issue

NATO and western sources have used the Soviet-style designation BM-12 to describe this weapon system, and further even ascribe Soviet origin and initial manufacture of both launcher and rockets.15 However, there is no evidence in non-western sources of Soviet development or production, or of the BM-12 moniker being applied. Very similar Type 50-5 or Type 488 102mm rockets were manufactured in China and used in the Korean War prior to development of the Type 63.16

It appears the systems designated BM-12 (for example in Afghanistan and Libya) were or are all of Chinese origin, being merely used or cross-traded by Soviet interests.

Variants

Multiple rocket launchers

  • The Chinese Type 81 SPMRL 107mm is a self-propelled export version, based on the Nanjing NJ-230 truck.17
  • Manufactured in North Korea as Type 75 with variants of 16 up to 27 launch tubes that are mounted on vehicles such as the tracked VTT-323 or the wheeled M1992 along developed cluster warhead with 15 submunitions1819
  • ROKETSAN of Turkey has designed an improved 107mm multiple rocket launch system, consisting of a HMMWV with two 12-round launch modules and a fire control system. The system uses the TR-107 and TRB-107 rockets but the range has been increased to 11 km.20
    • T-107M, Vehicle Mounted, 12 Steel Tube MBRL21
    • T-107SPM, Vehicle-mounted 2 × 12 Tubes Disposable MBRL with Insulated Pod22
    • T-107/122, Vehicle Mounted 3 × 20 Tubes Disposable MBRL with Insulated Pod23

Single-tube rocket launchers

A number of countries have developed single-tube, man-portable rocket launchers that fire the same type of rockets:

  • China: Type 85 with an empty weight of 22.5 kg.24
  • Egypt: PRL-81, similar to the Type 85 system.25
  • South Africa: Inflict of Mechem Developments with an empty weight of 26 kg.26
  • Iran: Karkhe, Single shot disposable launcher.27

Operators

Current operators

Former operators

See also

Notes

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Type 63 multiple rocket launcher.

References

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  2. JAA, p. 594. ↩

  3. "fas.org". fas.org. Retrieved 12 April 2018. https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/type-63-r.htm ↩

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