100mm Type 79
H/PJ33
Overview
Type H/PJ33B
Forward view of Type H/PJ33B naval gun turret.
Source: Megapixie -
© public domain
1980 - 1985 for Type 79A
ENG-2 (export designation)
Description
Introduction
The Type 79 is a dual purpose naval gun of Chinese origin. These twin barrel 100mm dual purpose naval guns are known as H/PJ33 in the new Chinese naming convention and were marketed as ENG-2 for export sales. This gun was developed to replace the old Soviet 100mm B-34 in Chinese service. The main development goal was to boost air defense, requiring both high rate of fire and being slaved to fire control radar.
Design
The Type 79 naval gun uses the same ordnance as the Soviet B-34 and fires the corresponding ammunition. However, the automatic loading system and ammunition hoist is derived from the French 100mm Mle 1968 design. The first model of the Type 79 has a manual back-up for the loading system. This was deleted on the improved Type 79A design. These turrets have a good track record for reliability, although integration with fire control radar proved difficult at first.
Firepower
The Type 79 fires 100mm fixed case ammunition. The ammunition is fully interchangeable with Soviet 100mm ammunition for the World War 2 era B-34 gun. Chinese ammunition was updated with improved proximity fuses, but is otherwise similar. Cyclic rate of fire 25 rpm, which combines to 50 rpm per turret. Maximum effective range is 22.5 km against surface targets and 15 km against aircraft. Several hundred rounds per turret are carried in extensive below deck magazines.
Platforms
The Type 79 and its improved variants have been fitted on a wide range of Chinese frigates and destroyers. Due to the reliability and high rate of fire the Type 79 is not only the successor of the single barrel 100mm B-34, but also of the twin barrel 130mm SM-2-1. With anti-ship and surface to air missiles competing for space, the Chinese navy settled on installing the smaller but less capable Type 210 (H/PJ87) on newer designs.
Variants
Type 79
Original production model with manual loading option. Can be identified by the shroud that extends from the rear of the turret roof. Manual operation requires a 15 men crew, with 9 of those in or behind the turret.
Type 79A
Improved model developed in the early to mid 1980's. Reduced weight due to deletion of manual loading option. Features a smooth fiberglass turret housing for further weight reduction. Renamed as H/PJ33A in the new naval naming convention.
H/PJ33B
Low radar cross section angular housing replacing Type 79A round housing. These turrets are not produced new, but are an update of existing Type 79A (H/PJ33A).
Details
Media
Type 79
Forward view of 100mm Type 79 naval gun turret. Note the window covers on each side.
Source: www.haijun360.com
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Type 79
Rear view of 100mm Type 79 naval gun turret. Note the splash shield and side and rear doors.
Source: www.haijun360.com
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Type 79A
Side view of Type 79A naval gun turret. Note recoil of the gun that fires.
Source: www.haijun360.com
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Type H/PJ33B
Forward view of Type H/PJ33B naval gun turret.
Source: Megapixie
Copyright: public domain
Type H/PJ33B
Side view of Type H/PJ33B naval gun turret.
Source: www.haijun360.com
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Type H/PJ33B
Side view of Type H/PJ33B naval gun turret.
Source: Saberwyn
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
Platforms
(note: incomplete list)
Type-053K class
2x2 Type 79 on Type-053K (NATO: Jiangdong) class of air defense frigates. It is unknown if the Type 79 as set up in the Type-053K has anti-aircraft capability. If so, these guns would be the most capable anti-aircraft element on the ship, since the early HQ-61 missiles were highly problematic.
Type-052 class
The Type-052 was fitted with a single Type 79A on the bow. The turret housing was later modified to H/PJ33 standard.
Related articles
100mm Compact
The 100mm Type 210 is a license produced French 100mm Compact naval gun. Although less capable than the Type 79, the Type 210 requires less than half the space.