BEIJING — The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has operationalized a new light, highly mobile 122 mm Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) integrated onto an upgraded Dongfeng Mengshi MV3 4×4 high-mobility tactical vehicle chassis.
Designed for rapid air-assault deployment, light combined-arms brigades, and mountain warfare operations, the platform utilizes a 20-round modular factory-sealed launch pod. The design allows complete pod replacement in field environments rather than individual tube reloading, bringing rapid re-arm capabilities to tactical echelon artillery units. The system is engineered to fire a combination of unguided and precision guided 122 mm artillery rockets out to a maximum range of 40 km (~25 miles), operating as a lighter, high-volume counterweight to systems like the U.S. M142 HIMARS.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: PLA LIGHTWEIGHT 122 MM MODULAR MLRS (DONGFENG MENGSHI MV3) 
* Developer & Integrator: Norinco / Dongfeng Motor Corporation
* Mobility Platform: Dongfeng Mengshi MV3 (Gen 3) 4×4 High-Mobility Off-Road Tactical Truck
* Tactical Role: Air-transportable/air-drop light artillery for air-assault, airborne, and amphibious light infantry units
* Launcher Architecture & Capacity:
* Launcher Type: Swappable modular composite/steel box pod
* Tube Capacity: 20-cell 122 mm launch container
* Reloading Mechanism: Complete container-pod swap via support crane truck (eliminates manual single-round loading)
* Munitions & Ballistic Range:
* Caliber: Standard PLA 122 mm series rockets
* Guidance Spectrum: Unguided high-explosive (HE)/cluster rounds and satellite/INS-guided precision rockets
* Maximum Engagement Range: Up to 40 km (25 miles)
* Operational Features & Survivability:
* Emplacement / Displacement: Fully automated hydraulic levelling and digital fire-control system supporting shoot-and-scoot tactics
* Air Mobility: Transportable inside tactical airlift transport aircraft (e.g., Y-8/Y-9 and Y-20) and underslung via heavy-lift helicopters (Z-8/Z-18)
