Type 78
Encyclopedia
The Type 78 is a smoothbore recoilless gun designed to provide a rapid, direct fire support for the PLA
infantry troops against targets such as light tanks, armoured vehicles
, and bunkers. The Type 78 is an improved version of the Type 65 with some modifications. Type 78 has been equipped by the PLA Ground Forces
in significant numbers and are still serving with some class-B units and reserve forces today. The Type 78 is being replaced by the more capable Type 98.
, and accessories. The gun can be fired either with the help of a tripod or on the gunner’s shoulder. There are two types of rounds available: high-explosive (HE) with a maximum range of 300m (Type 65) or 500m (Type 78).
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
infantry troops against targets such as light tanks, armoured vehicles
Armoured personnel carrier
An armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars...
, and bunkers. The Type 78 is an improved version of the Type 65 with some modifications. Type 78 has been equipped by the PLA Ground Forces
People's Liberation Army Ground Force
The People's Liberation Army Ground Force is the land-based service branch of the People's Liberation Army. Its regular forces consist of 1.7 million personnel, with an additional 800,000 personnel in reserve, making it the largest active standing army in the world, and second largest in terms of...
in significant numbers and are still serving with some class-B units and reserve forces today. The Type 78 is being replaced by the more capable Type 98.
Design
The Type 78 consists of the barrel, optical aiming sight, tripodTripod
A tripod is a portable three-legged frame, used as a platform for supporting the weight and maintaining the stability of some other object. The word comes from the Greek tripous, meaning "three feet". A tripod provides stability against downward forces, horizontal forces and moments about the...
, and accessories. The gun can be fired either with the help of a tripod or on the gunner’s shoulder. There are two types of rounds available: high-explosive (HE) with a maximum range of 300m (Type 65) or 500m (Type 78).