OVERVIEW: The 300mm BRC3 is an unguided artillery rocket equipped with dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICM), designed for use with the PHL-03 multiple launch rocket system. It delivers a submunition payload optimized for anti-armor and anti-personnel effects over wide target areas.

DETAILS: The BRC3 is a Chinese 300mm-caliber artillery rocket developed for the PHL-03, a heavy multiple launch rocket system modeled after the Russian BM-30 Smerch. It uses a solid-propellant motor with fin and spin stabilization, enabling engagement of targets at ranges up to 70 to 130 km depending on configuration. The warhead contains submunitions designed to penetrate light armor and deliver lethal fragmentation effects over large areas. Submunitions are released mid-flight and dispersed via a timed ejection mechanism for wide-area saturation.

The BRC3 variant carries DPICM warheads, with each rocket loaded with approximately 600 submunitions of anti-armor and blast-fragmentation type. These are designed to damage soft-skinned vehicles, infantry in the open, and lightly fortified positions. This configuration enables high-impact salvos that can neutralize enemy formations, artillery positions, and supply nodes.

In operational use, the rocket is fired from the PHL-03’s 12-tube launcher, with fire-control inputs determining range and dispersion pattern. Rockets are preloaded and launched in rapid salvos using vehicle-mounted digital fire control and navigation systems. The system is intended for fast saturation strikes against high-value area targets prior to or during mechanized offensives.

NOTE:
IOC: Early 2000s
Operators: China, Algeria, Ethiopia, Morocco, Tanzania, ...
Platforms: PHL-03, AR2
Conflict used in: Not publicly confirmed in active combat

SOURCE:
U.S. Air Force Armament Museum: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil ; Jane’s Weapons: Air-Launched ; Department of Defense: https://www.defense.gov, Historical Munition Fact Sheets ; Federation of American Scientists (FAS): https://fas.org ; U.S. Navy Weapon Systems Explosive Ordnance Disposal publication: https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Warfare-Centers/NUWC-Newport/What-We-Do/Undersea-Warfare-Systems/Weapon-Systems/