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.
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.
Type | Multiple rocket launcher |
---|---|
Crew | 5 |
Ordnance | 107mm Type 63 rocket (12x) |
Elevation | 0 to +60° |
Traverse | 15° left and right |
Rate of fire | 12 rounds in 7 to 9 seconds |
---|---|
Range | depends on ammunition |
Carriage | 2 wheel split trail carriage |
Weight | 385 kg (empty), 613 kg (loaded) |
Length | 2.6 m (travelling) |
Width | 1.4 m (travelling) |
---|---|
Height | 1.2 m (travelling) |
Towing vehicle | 4x4 light truck |
Speed | ? |
Remarks | - |
Type | Multiple rocket launcher |
---|---|
Crew | 4 |
Ordnance | 107mm Type 63 rocket (12x) |
Elevation | 0 to +60° |
Traverse | 15° left and right |
Rate of fire | 12 rounds in 7 to 9 seconds |
---|---|
Range | depends on ammunition |
Carriage | 2 wheel split trail carriage |
Weight | 249 kg (empty) |
Length | ? |
Width | ? |
---|---|
Height | ? |
Towing vehicle | 4x4 light truck |
Speed | ? |
Remarks | - |
Type | Multiple rocket launcher |
---|---|
Crew | 4 - 5 |
Ordnance | 107mm Type 63 rocket (12x) |
Elevation | 0 to +60° |
Traverse | 15° left and right |
Rate of fire | 12 rounds in 7 to 9 seconds |
---|---|
Range | depends on ammunition |
Carriage | 2 wheel split trail carriage |
Weight | 195 kg (empty), 380 kg (loaded) |
Length | 2.6 m (travelling) |
Width | 1.4 m (travelling) |
---|---|
Height | 1.2 m (travelling) |
Towing vehicle | 4x4 light truck |
Speed | ? |
Remarks | - |
Type | Multiple rocket launcher |
---|---|
Crew | ? |
Ordnance | 107mm Type 63 rocket (12x) |
Elevation | 0 to +60° |
Traverse | 15° left and right |
Rate of fire | 12 rounds in 9 seconds |
---|---|
Range | depends on ammunition |
Carriage | 2 wheel split trail carriage |
Weight | 380 kg (empty), 610 kg (loaded) |
Length | 2.6 m (travelling) |
Width | 1.4 m (travelling), 1.7 m (firing position) |
---|---|
Height | 1.2 m (travelling) |
Towing vehicle | 4x4 light truck |
Speed | 60 km/h on road, 15 km/h on dirt road, 7 km/h cross country |
Remarks | - |
Type | Multiple rocket launcher |
---|---|
Crew | ? |
Ordnance | 107mm Type 63 rocket (12x) |
Elevation | 0 to +60° |
Traverse | 15° left and right |
Rate of fire | 12 rounds in 7 to 9 seconds |
---|---|
Range | depends on ammunition |
Carriage | 2 wheel split trail carriage |
Weight | 385 kg (empty), 620 kg (loaded) |
Length | ? |
Width | ? |
---|---|
Height | ? |
Towing vehicle | 4x4 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).
- Specifications:
- Type 85
- Fadjr-1 (single)
- Fadjr-1 (twin)
- Inflict
Type | Multiple rocket launcher |
---|---|
Crew | ? |
Ordnance | 107mm Type 63 rocket (1x) |
Elevation | +5 to +45° |
Traverse | 7° left and right |
Rate of fire | 3 rpm |
---|---|
Range | depends on ammunition |
Carriage | Tripod |
Weight | 22.5 kg (empty) |
Length | 0.9 m |
Width | ? |
---|---|
Height | ? |
Towing vehicle | - |
Speed | - |
Remarks | - |
Type | Multiple rocket launcher |
---|---|
Crew | ? |
Ordnance | 107mm Type 63 rocket (1x) |
Elevation | 0 to +50° |
Traverse | 7° left and right |
Rate of fire | ? |
---|---|
Range | depends on ammunition |
Carriage | Tripod |
Weight | 23 kg |
Length | 0.8 m |
Width | ? |
---|---|
Height | ? |
Towing vehicle | - |
Speed | - |
Remarks | - |
Type | Multiple rocket launcher |
---|---|
Crew | ? |
Ordnance | 107mm Type 63 rocket (2x) |
Elevation | 0 to +50° |
Traverse | 10° left and right |
Rate of fire | ? |
---|---|
Range | depends on ammunition |
Carriage | Tripod |
Weight | 32 kg |
Length | ? |
Width | ? |
---|---|
Height | ? |
Towing vehicle | - |
Speed | - |
Remarks | - |
Type | Multiple rocket launcher |
---|---|
Crew | ? |
Ordnance | 107mm Type 63 rocket (1x) |
Elevation | 0 to +45° |
Traverse | 8° left and right |
Rate of fire | ? |
---|---|
Range | depends on ammunition |
Carriage | Tripod |
Weight | 26 kg (empty) |
Length | 0.92 m (firing position), 1.4 (tripod folded) |
Width | ? |
---|---|
Height | ? |
Towing vehicle | - |
Speed | - |
Remarks | - |