Artillery / Multiple rocket launchers / Type 63

Type 63

General Facts

  • TYPE
    Multiple rocket launcher

  • ORIGIN
    China

  • NICKNAMES
    BM-1 (unofficial nickname for single round launchers)
    Fadjr-1 (Iranian production)
    H12 (Vietnamese designation)
    RO 107 (South African production)
    T-107 (Turkish production

  • DESIGNED
    1961

  • DESIGNER
    State Factory 847

  • PRODUCTION
    1963 - present

  • PRODUCERS
    China - NORINCO
    Egypt - Helwan
    Iran
    Iraq
    North Korea
    South Africa - Mechem
    Turkey - MKEK

  • QUANTITY
    Unknown

  • UNIT COST
    Unknown

  • CHARACTERISTICS
    Very cheap to produce
    Very mobile system
    Air droppable
    Easy to use
    Poor accuracy
    Limited range
    Limited firepower

Introduction

The Type 63 is a towed 12 round 107mm multiple rocket launcher of Chinese. The Type 63 was developed in the late 1950's and accepted for service in 1963. The Type 63 is one of the most widely used rocket artillery systems in the world.

Layout

The Type 63 is a very basic system that consists of three rows of four launch tubes which are mounted on a lightweight two wheel carriage. Traverse and elevation is manual. Aiming is done in a similar way as with a mortar. Type 63 launchers have been fitted on a variety of vehicles.

Firepower

The Type 63 fires unguided spin stabilized 107mm rockets that use solid propellants. The effective range is 8.5km. Longer range rockets have been developed. All 12 rounds can be fired in 7 to 9 seconds. The Type 63 is mainly used against infantry positions.

Protection

The Type 63 is usually towed by a soft-top vehicle. Therefore the crew is unprotected when on the move and in the firing position.

Mobility

The Type 63 is towed by a light truck, which also carries the crew and additional ammunition. Due to its low weight the Type 63 can be towed manually over short distances. Many Type 63 launchers have been fitted on light trucks in order to increase the mobility even further.

Users

The Type 63 saw widespread service with the Chinese armed forces and was exported to many nations. Copies have been produced in many nations. The Type 63 remains in active use in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Variants

Type 63

The Type 63 is a towed lightweight 12 round 107mm multiple rocket launcher. The design is simple and basic, consisting of a two wheel carriage with three banks of four launch tubes. It fires unguided 107mm spin stabilized rockets that weight 18 to 19 kg. Copies are produced in Egypt (RL812), Iran (Fadjr-1), Iraq, North Korea, South Africa (RO 107), Turkey (T-107). The Type 61-I is a lightened model with smaller roadwheels. Often the split trail carriage is removed and the 12 round launcher is mounted on a variety of vehicle to improve mobility.

TypeMultiple rocket launcher
Crew5
Ordnance107mm Type 63 rocket (12x)
Elevation0 to +60°
Traverse15° left and right
Rate of fire12 rounds in 7 to 9 seconds
Rangedepends on ammunition
Carriage2 wheel split trail carriage
Weight385 kg (empty), 613 kg (loaded)
Length2.6 m (travelling)
Width1.4 m (travelling)
Height1.2 m (travelling)
Towing vehicle4x4 light truck
Speed?
Remarks-
TypeMultiple rocket launcher
Crew4
Ordnance107mm Type 63 rocket (12x)
Elevation0 to +60°
Traverse15° left and right
Rate of fire12 rounds in 7 to 9 seconds
Rangedepends on ammunition
Carriage2 wheel split trail carriage
Weight249 kg (empty)
Length?
Width?
Height?
Towing vehicle4x4 light truck
Speed?
Remarks-
TypeMultiple rocket launcher
Crew4 - 5
Ordnance107mm Type 63 rocket (12x)
Elevation0 to +60°
Traverse15° left and right
Rate of fire12 rounds in 7 to 9 seconds
Rangedepends on ammunition
Carriage2 wheel split trail carriage
Weight195 kg (empty), 380 kg (loaded)
Length2.6 m (travelling)
Width1.4 m (travelling)
Height1.2 m (travelling)
Towing vehicle4x4 light truck
Speed?
Remarks-
TypeMultiple rocket launcher
Crew?
Ordnance107mm Type 63 rocket (12x)
Elevation0 to +60°
Traverse15° left and right
Rate of fire12 rounds in 9 seconds
Rangedepends on ammunition
Carriage2 wheel split trail carriage
Weight380 kg (empty), 610 kg (loaded)
Length2.6 m (travelling)
Width1.4 m (travelling), 1.7 m (firing position)
Height1.2 m (travelling)
Towing vehicle4x4 light truck
Speed60 km/h on road, 15 km/h on dirt road, 7 km/h cross country
Remarks-
TypeMultiple rocket launcher
Crew?
Ordnance107mm Type 63 rocket (12x)
Elevation0 to +60°
Traverse15° left and right
Rate of fire12 rounds in 7 to 9 seconds
Rangedepends on ammunition
Carriage2 wheel split trail carriage
Weight385 kg (empty), 620 kg (loaded)
Length?
Width?
Height?
Towing vehicle4x4 light truck
Speed?
Remarks-

Single round launchers

Man portable single round launchers have been developed. These systems are tripod mounted and provide a capability similar to mortars. Variants are produced in China (Type 85), Egypt (PRL-81), Iran (Fadjr-1, single and twin round) and South Africa (Inflict).

TypeMultiple rocket launcher
Crew?
Ordnance107mm Type 63 rocket (1x)
Elevation+5 to +45°
Traverse7° left and right
Rate of fire3 rpm
Rangedepends on ammunition
CarriageTripod
Weight22.5 kg (empty)
Length0.9 m
Width?
Height?
Towing vehicle-
Speed-
Remarks-
TypeMultiple rocket launcher
Crew?
Ordnance107mm Type 63 rocket (1x)
Elevation0 to +50°
Traverse7° left and right
Rate of fire?
Rangedepends on ammunition
CarriageTripod
Weight23 kg
Length0.8 m
Width?
Height?
Towing vehicle-
Speed-
Remarks-
TypeMultiple rocket launcher
Crew?
Ordnance107mm Type 63 rocket (2x)
Elevation0 to +50°
Traverse10° left and right
Rate of fire?
Rangedepends on ammunition
CarriageTripod
Weight32 kg
Length?
Width?
Height?
Towing vehicle-
Speed-
Remarks-
TypeMultiple rocket launcher
Crew?
Ordnance107mm Type 63 rocket (1x)
Elevation0 to +45°
Traverse8° left and right
Rate of fire?
Rangedepends on ammunition
CarriageTripod
Weight26 kg (empty)
Length0.92 m (firing position), 1.4 (tripod folded)
Width?
Height?
Towing vehicle-
Speed-
Remarks-

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