The SH2 122mm self-propelled howitzer is the second 6x6 truck-mounted artillery system developed by China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO) in recent years. The artillery system was first revealed during the 2007 Abu Dhabi International Defence Exhibition (IDEX 2007) on 18~22 February. The SH2 was developed mainly for the export market, but it cannot be ruled out that the artillery system may also be adopted by the PLA in its airborne force and marine corps.

The main armament of the SH2 artillery system is a 122mm howitzer possible developed from the PL96 122mm towed cannon (Chinese copy of the Russian D-30) towed howitzer design. Like the PL96/D-30, the SH2 has a recoil-recuperator mechanism mounted above the gun barrel. The electric-operated howitzer has an elevation range of 0~70° and an azimuth range of +/- 30°. The howitzer has a rate of fire of 6~8 rounds/min. There are 24 rounds carried onboard the vehicle.

The howitzer has a maximum firing range of 22km when using the NORINCO Extended-Range, Full-Bore, Hollow-Base (ERFB-HB) round, or 27km when using the NORINCO Extended-Range, Full-Bore, Rocket-Assisted (ERFB-RA) round. The howitzer can also fire the Russian D-30 122mm ammunitions. NORINCO has been producing the 152/155mm laser-guided projectile based on the Russian Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) 152mm Krasnopol projectile design under license, but it is not known whether NORINCO has also obtained the license to produce the KBP Kitolov 122mm laser-guided projectile.

The artillery is mounted on a 6X6 wheeled chassis developed from a 4x4 HMMWV-like utility vehicle, with a maximum road speed of over 90km/h and a maximum range of 600km. The vehicle is capable of climbing 60% gradient., and has a turning radius of less than 13m. The artillery system is operated by a crew of 4~5 people, and has a combat weight of 11.5 tonnes. The system can transform between travelling and combat mode within 45~50 seconds. A typical mission of transforming from travelling mode to combat mode, firing six rounds, and transforming back to the travelling mode can be completed with 2 minutes.

The vehicle is equipped with two hydraulically operated stabilisers which are lowered in preparation for the firing. The artillery crew is seated inside an armour-protected driving cab. The vehicle is fitted with a central-inflating system, and can reach a maximum road speed of 90km/h. The artillery system can be airlifted by a large transport aircraft such as IL-76 or Y-8.

The SH2 is also equipped with a computerised fire-control system, including GPS navigation and positioning, targeting, and communications systems, all of which adopt the modular design for easy maintenance and upgrade. The artillery is used within a C4ISR network at company or battalion level.

• high tactical and strategic mobility

• integrative design of gun-vehicle

• multi-level combat configuration

• high power and long range

• highly automatic and rapid reaction capability

• high survivability

• advanced C4IR interface

• Modular design