Recently, some foreign media reported that at the international defense exhibition held in Poland, the media found that representatives of the People's Liberation Army were visiting the US military exhibition area, and came to the US military Hymas rocket launcher, stopped to watch the performance parameter display board, and several US troops stood up to greet them. The PLA representative appeared relaxed, but the expression of the American military was unnatural. In fact, this scene is not uncommon at the defense exhibition held in Europe. In order to support the face of NATO allies, the US military often sends active equipment to display. According to the convention, military attachés or military representatives of various countries are VIPs of defense exhibitions, and have the right to watch all the equipment on display, and it is legal to stare and look around in circles. As a result, the scene of the sharp contrast between the expressions of the officers of the Chinese and American armies was recorded.
【PLA Military Attache Visits US Hymas】
The PLA is also armed with a large number of large-caliber rocket launchers. Well, do we need to envy the fruitful Hymas?
On the issue of the development and equipment of long-range rocket artillery, the Chinese military industry and the equipment department of the People's Liberation Army have embarked on a completely different path from the United States. In some indicators we are far ahead, and in others, we are improving a little slower. However, this backwardness is not due to the poor scientific research and production capacity of the military industry or the insufficient development of the PLA's tactical and campaign thinking, but because of the different positioning and tasks of the Chinese and American armies. In fact, the Chinese and American militaries are well aware of their respective rocket artillery levels, so the expressions of the PLA representatives when they see the actual Haimas rocket launcher will be so "real", while the US military personnel are too "quiet".
[Ukrainian Hymas is hiding in the cave vault]
First of all, the leading side, the main force of the PLA in active service Type 03 300mm long-range rocket artillery and more advanced box rocket artillery. Their warhead power and ammunition range far exceed that of Hymas, and their strike accuracy has reached the world-class level. CCTV's military news program on some video programs about the PLA's artillery units has repeatedly demonstrated the ability of long-range fire strike targets, which is comparable to that of Hymas.
But in terms of modularity and mobile deployment capabilities, we have been slower than the United States. Type 03 telefire adopts traditional directional and loading concept. The box rocket launcher appeared about 10 years later than the Hymas. This is not because the defense industry cannot create corresponding models, but because the PLA's artillery tactical positioning is determined. The main task of the PLA's long-range rocket artillery units is the defense of the homeland and the unification of the Motherland. In the process of strategic maneuvering, artillery vehicles generally use railway maneuvers or road self-propelled methods.
[The key to the far fire is accusation]
And the operation of the Hymas rocket artillery is supposed to be a global maneuver. It needs to be able to fly the C130 transport aircraft to all parts of the world, and when it arrives on the battlefield, it also adopts a fast-hitting and fast-running combat method. Therefore, Hymas puts forward relatively high requirements in terms of mobility and modular loading.
The core combat capability of Hymas is not the artillery vehicle itself, but the powerful battlefield reconnaissance surveillance and digital command and control capabilities hidden behind it. In this regard, the PLA is now on par with the US military. Therefore, a model like Hymas, China's defense industry is completely capable of manufacturing, and the PLA is also completely usable. Among the rocket artillery models exported by China to the international market, more than one surpasses Hymas. A new box rocket launcher that appeared at the 2019 National Day parade. The overall performance has far exceeded that of Hymas. The only thing inferior to it may be that it cannot be stuffed into the cargo hold of the Hercules transport aircraft.
【PLA Box Rocket Artillery】
However, what the PLA artillery units lack today is not equipment, but actual combat experience. After all, we have not used heavy artillery fire in real combat for more than 30 years. The US military has relatively rich experience, in Iraq, Afghanistan, Hymas and its predecessor M270 multiple launch rocket launchers have rich combat records, and the war in Ukraine has allowed Hymas to accumulate richer combat cases, the most valuable of which is the integration and optimization of the entire killing chain. Of course, at the exhibition site, the US military will not introduce this valuable experience to the PLA. In case the two sides meet later on the battlefield. Hymas faced with the distant fire of the People's Liberation Army whose range is far more powerful than its own, and he had to find a way to escape.
What would happen if the PLA's box rocket launchers were now on the battlefield in Ukraine and faced off against Hymas? In fact, this still depends on the perfection of the artillery reconnaissance command system. The Russian army does not lack rocket artillery with a longer range, but it has never been able to catch the whereabouts of the Ukrainian Hymas. Not only were they hit hard again and again, but they were also forced to attack false targets with valuable cruise missiles. When China exports long-range rocket artillery to foreign countries, it has always packaged and sold reconnaissance, surveillance, command and control systems, including unmanned aerial systems and artillery reconnaissance radars. Such a system is erected, as long as Hymas dares to fire, after the first shell rises to the horizon, it only takes a short time, the artillery reconnaissance radar can determine the position of Hymas, and then launch a fire counterattack.
[PLA long-range fire hit accuracy is high]
The range of the PLA's long-range fire is more than 70 kilometers farther than that of Haimas, and it is possible to calmly choose a counterattack position. Before Hymas fired six shells, counterattack fire was already in the air. In order to retreat, Hymas must lower the launch box, return to the locked position, and enter the marching position before driving. In the process, the rocket that countered the rocket had already hit. Even if the Hymas crew started the vehicle and ran a distance, things would be no different. Even the older 300mm long-range fire can be combined with a high-power end-sensitive bullet. One rocket can carry five submunitions. 12 rockets can be delivered 60. Under such an overwhelming chase, Hymas cannot escape. If Hymas wants to ambush the PLA's long-range fire, it must risk moving forward and getting closer to the front line of the battle between the two sides. This is a huge risk for Hymas itself. So the two fought on the battlefield, and there was no suspense about winning or losing.