WM-80

The WM-80 is a multiple [rocket launcher] developed by the Qiqihar subsidiary of the China North Industries Group Corporation. It was formerly used by the People's Liberation Army of China and exported to other countries.

History and development

In the 1980s, the People's [Liberation Army Ground Force] planned to procure long-range multiple rocket launchers and explored options from several Chinese military corporations. Four companies bid in the competition:

AR-1 rocket system developed by Changchun subsidiary of the China North Industries Group Corporation.
A-100 rocket system developed by the China Academy of [Launch Vehicle Technology], a subsidiary of the China Aerospace [Science and Technology Corporation].
WS-1 rocket system developed by Sichuan 7th Academy, a subsidiary of the China [Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation].
WM-80 rocket system developed by the Qiqihar subsidiary of the China North Industries Group Corporation.

In the end, the AR-1 multiple rocket launcher system was chosen by the People's Liberation Army Ground Force, which received designation PHL-03. After the competition, these companies started to export their products. The China Aerospace [Science and Industry Corporation] did not participate in the bidding process due to time constraints, but CASIC revealed its first MLRS design, SY-400, in the Zhuhai Airshow 2008.
Unlike other contenders in the competition, the WM-80 was not a newly developed system, but an older system with an outdated caliber, combined with the fact that WM-80 was not a guided rocket, resulting in poor accuracy during the test. WM-80 was the first rocket system that was eliminated in the competition.