PF-97
The PF-97 ({{zh|c=97式93毫米火箭筒 |l=Type 97 93 millimetre rocket launcher}}) is a {{cvt|93|mm|in}} portable, disposable, unguided, shoulder-launched, rocket launcher used by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). The PF-97 is a Chinese licensed copy of the Russian RPO-A Shmel thermobaric rocket launcher. The PF-97 was later developed into the PF-11 (Type 11) rocket launcher system with weight reduction, newer construction, and multiple types of warheads.
The PF-97 was developed as a replacement for flamethrowers and FHJ-84 incendiary rockets in the PLA service. It sits between the smaller caliber DZJ-08 and larger PF-98 recoilless weapons.
Description
The PF-97 is a Chinese copy of the Russian RPO-A Shmel.{{cite web|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/08/18/guide-chinese-infantry-support-weapons-guest-post/ |title=A Guide To Chinese Infantry Support Weapons (Guest Post) |website=The Firearm Blog |date=18 August 2014 |author=Nathaniel F }} In 1992, China bought the manufacturing license of the RPO-A from KBP Instrument Design Bureau. A local version was developed in 1996, which was then certified in 1997. It entered serial production in 2000.{{cite web|url=https://www.sohu.com/a/431096751_99913295 |title=对狙么？中国单兵火箭筒也能当狙击步枪，千米之外一炮毙敌 |website=Sohu News |date=11 November 2020 }} The PF-97 (RPO-A) has a larger explosive filler compared to the PF-89's thermobaric variant, ensuring adequate lethality. However, the rocket launcher system weighs {{cvt|12|kg|lb}} due to the explosives, which is significantly heavier than other disposable rocket systems in the PLA service.{{cite web|url=https://www.sohu.com/a/704989857_464121 |title=又炸又烧的解放军新一代云爆火箭筒：PF11式93毫米火箭筒 |website=Sohu News |date=21 July 2023 }} An improved version, known as PF-97A, exists. PF-97A combined the previously separated rocket booster with the warhead.{{cite web|url=https://odin.tradoc.army.mil/WEG/Asset/242dec0ca812ae77679586c9c3ac64e3 |title=PF-97A Chinese Thermobaric Rocket Launcher |website=World Equipment Guide |publisher=US Army TRADOC }}
The PF-11 is a redesigned version of the PF-97. The launcher was modified, with the foregrip removed to save weight, and has a new thermal sleeve similar to that of DZJ-08. The PF-11 was later developed into a weapon family with multiple types of munition chocies, including high explosive anti-tank (HEAT), high explosive fragmentation (HE-Frag), incendiary, anti-bunker assault munitions, etc.
Variants
;PF-97: Chinese copy of the RPO-A Shmel. Thermobaric warhead.{{cite web|url=https://odin.tradoc.army.mil/WEG/Asset/1f55393dba4e4a540c5c93ad91ab59fa |title=PF-97 Chinese Thermobaric Rocket Launcher |website=World Equipment Guide |publisher=US Army TRADOC }}
;PF-97A: Improved PF-97 with fixed rocket booster. PF-97A can be carried in twin-barrel mode for easier transportation.{{cite web|url=https://www.163.com/dy/article/FUUFEJVP05359CMR.html |title=中国单兵云爆弹竟然有双筒版？双倍筒子，双倍的快乐 |website=NetEase News |date=30 December 2020 }}
;BFK2: Export version of the PF-97A.
;PF-11: Redesigned PF-97 with foregrip removed and new thermal sleeves. Added capability to launch high explosive anti-tank (HEAT), high explosive fragmentation (HE-Frag), incendiary, anti-bunker munitions, etc. The system has a reported range of {{cvt|850|m|ft}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3101193/china-tests-drones-new-rocket-launcher-near-disputed-india |title=China tests drones, new rocket launcher near disputed India border area |website=South China Morning Post |date=11 September 2020 |first=William |last=Zheng }}
;DZG-141: A further development of the PF-11. Multipurpose bunker buster warhead.{{cite web|url=https://odin.tradoc.army.mil/WEG/Asset/Dongfeng_CSK-141_Chinese_4x4_Light_Tactical_Vehicle |title=DZG-141 Chinese Rocket Launcher |website=World Equipment Guide |publisher=US Army TRADOC }}
;BKM6: Export version of the DZG-141.
;DZS-151: A further development of the PF-11. High-explosive fragmentation (HE-Frag) warhead.
;DZP-151: A further development of the PF-11. High-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead.
;DZF-151: A further development of the PF-11. Smoke round.{{cite web|url=https://k.sina.cn/article_7295511708_1b2d8ac9c020013qae.html |title=看一看我军步兵未来十年的单兵重火力装备 |website=Sina News |date=15 September 2024 }}
Users
- {{flagcountry|China}}: People's Liberation Army
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{Modern Chinese Infantry Weapons}}
Category:Weapons of the People's Republic of China
Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1990s
Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2000s