- A new image shows China’s next-generation PLZ-051B 155mm self-propelled howitzer in transit, covered in camouflage netting.
- The system features an unmanned turret derived from the SH16 design and requires only two crew members for operation.
A new photograph circulating on Chinese social media shows what appears to be a next-generation 155mm self-propelled howitzer—believed to be the PLZ-051B—covered in camouflage netting and being transported on a flatbed trailer.
The image, reportedly taken in China and posted on Weibo, offers a rare glimpse at one of the People’s Liberation Army’s most advanced artillery systems.
According to open-source defense analysts, the PLZ-051B, previously referred to as the PLZ-05B, represents a major evolution in China’s artillery modernization program. The system is believed to feature a fully autonomous turret derived from the SH16 design, requiring only two crew members to operate: a driver and a combined gunner/commander. This reduction in crew size is made possible by the integration of automated fire control, ammunition handling, targeting, and support systems.
The vehicle’s turret, based on the SH16 architecture, is designed to function as a modular, unmanned system. The configuration reportedly incorporates four main subsystems: firepower delivery, control and communications, chassis management, and sustainment. Chinese defense industry sources have described the turret as fully digital, offering both autonomous firing and remote command capabilities. This setup allows the platform to maintain high rates of fire while minimizing crew exposure.
The newly surfaced image shows the system covered in a net camouflage shroud, concealing much of its turret profile. Despite the cover, the overall silhouette and hull design suggest a tracked chassis similar to other members of the PLZ family. Observers noted the hull shares characteristics with ammunition resupply vehicles previously seen in development alongside the SH16 turret, which may indicate the vehicle is part of a larger modular battery.
While the official designation of the system has not been confirmed by Chinese authorities, defense observers continue to refer to it as the PLZ-051B. Analysts suggest the vehicle is aimed at replacing older-generation systems such as the PLZ-05 and PLZ-83, and may also reflect Beijing’s shift toward more automated and networked fire support platforms suited for rapid-response operations.
The platform is believed to carry advanced fire control systems capable of integrating with command-and-control networks and UAV reconnaissance feeds. These features would allow the system to execute rapid fire missions and displace before counter-battery detection, a key requirement in modern high-intensity conflict environments.