Dongfeng Mengshi

Lightweight Tactical Multirole Vehicle [ 2010 ]

The Dongfeng Mengshi is an evolution of an earlier type serving the Chinese forces and based in the American HUMVEE line.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/31/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Official image from the Chinese Ministry of Defense; Public Release.

GO TO SPECIFICATIONS [+]

Advertisements

The Dongfeng "Mengshi" is a lightweight, tactically-minded 4x4 all-wheeled military vehicle utilized by the Chinese Armed Forces and manufactured by China-based Dongfeng Motor Group. The type is equivalent to the American "Hummer" / HUMVEE multi-purpose / multi-role vehicle and is designed for all-terrain utility work, capable of traversing on-road / off-road with equal success, and can handle a variety of miscellaneous and dedicated battlefield roles. The original model (detailed elsewhere on this site) was based closely on a reverse-engineered copy of the well-known American "Hummer H1" with later iterations now being made to more specific Chinese requirements and design style.

To showcase its versatility, this Chinese vehicle has been produced in several variants including the "CSK-131" which typically carries a light manned combat turret over the hull roof line. The "CSK-131 CP" is a Command Post (CP) model with an enhanced communications suite while the "CSK-131 ARV" is an Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV) form featuring heavier self-defense-minded armament including a 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) with 35mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL) in a Remote Weapon Station (RWS) to protect the operating crew. The "TL-4" is a dedicated missile carrier mounting 4 x TL-4 Anti-Tank, Guided-Missiles (ATGMs) for the high-speed tank-killing role.

The related "CSK-141" is a heavier, direct-contact vehicle though still lightly-armored for front-line use. The chassis is lengthened to accommodate additional passengers and mission equipment. Again an RWS is part of the self-defense armament fit which also supports ATGMs. The "EQ2101" production model adds a third axle to have 6x6 all-wheel drive support and improved off-road function while its export version is the "CS/VN11" introduced back in 2016.

The heaviest of the group, the "CSK-181", is a lightweight tactical offering based in the CSK-141 and has night-vision equipment, seating for eight, RWS support, and enhanced protection and crew survivability. The "CSK-181 C2" is its Command & Control (C2) variant while the "CSK-181 ATGM" is the dedicated missile carrier variant.

The related "CSK-182" has a shortened wheelbase with seating for six while carrying an RWS over the hull roof.

The "CSZ-181" is given enhanced armor protection, a 6x6 all-wheel drive, and tips the scales at 10,000 kilograms. The "CSZ-181 MEDVAC" is the MEDical eVACucation model.

Other forms of the series include the "PCL-171" fielding a 122mm in-direct fire howitzer for the fire support role, the "CTL-181A ATMC" missile carrier mounting 4 x HJ-10 ATGMs, the "CTL-181A 120mm" dedicated field mortar carrier for in-direct fire support at range, the "CTL-181A ABB" with its Vehicle-Launched Bridge (VLB) system, and the "CTL-181A UAV" which sports a modern drone-swarm-launching capability.

Mengshi vehicles are commonly featured in PLA parades as well as exercises across the Chinese landscape.©MilitaryFactory.com

Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

May 2022 - Dongfeng Mengshi trucks were photographed in active exercises with PLA forces as the vehicle continues to be integrated into PLA ranks.

Specifications

Service Year

2010

Origin

China

Status

ACTIVE
In Active Service.

Crew

2
CREWMEN

Production

10,000
UNITS

Dongfeng Motor Group - China

(View other Vehicle-Related Manufacturers)

China

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Anti-Tank / Anti-Armor
Base model or variant can be used to track, engage, and defeat armored enemy elements at range.

✓ Engineering
Onboard systems provide solutions to accomplish a variety of battlefield engineering tasks.

✓ Infantry Support
Support allied ground forces through weapons, inherent capabilities, and / or onboard systems.

✓ Armored Car
Design, of typically lightweight nature, providing onroad/offroad capabilities for the scouting or general security roles.

✓ MRAP
Designed to withstand attacks from mines and ambushes through specialized design and survivability features.

✓ Reconaissance
Can conduct reconnaissance / scout missions to assess threat levels, enemy strength, et al - typically through lightweight design.

✓ Utility
General utility-minded design to accomplish a variety of battlefield tasks, typically in a non-direct-combat fashion.

✓ Special Purpose
Special purpose design developed to accomplish an equally-special battlefield role or roles.

Wheeled Arrangement

Wheeled arrangement gives this system an inherent road-running capability, enhancing mobility.

Primary Turret

A modern tank quality, this vehicle sports its main armament in a single turret.

Remote Weapon Station (RWS)

Vehicle supports a remote-operated weapons station, reducing crew exposure to outside dangers.

Traversable Main Armament

Armament is situated in a traversing component, allowing for all-around engagement of enemy threats.

Cross-Country Capability

Design includes such features as a track-link system or high ground clearance to better traverse offroad.

Shallow Glacis

The shallow design of the glacis plate provides the vehicle with inherent ballistics protection as well as contributes to a lower overall profile - making it more difficult to disable.

Enhanced Armor Protection

Protection is enhanced by way of additional armor being installed over that of standard levels; plate steel for older designs and reactive armor for modern types.

NBC Protection

Crew is provided (either as standard or optional) protection against Nuclear-Biological-Chemical agents for enhanced survivability in contaminated zones.

Nightvision

Crew has access to night-vision equipment, allowing for low-light or night time operations.

Anti-Aircraft / Air-Defense Capable

System is given an anti-aircraft defense component to protect itself from low-flying aerial threats at range.

Anti-Tank Capable

Onboard solution provides ability to neutralize armored or fortified targets at range through missile or penetrating ballistic weapons.

Anti-Infantry

Vehicle features an in-built anti-infantry capability for local defense of the vehicle or general troop suppression.

Troop Carrier

Vehicle (or its variants) has an inherent troop-carrying capability, providing protected cover for embarked allies in contested areas.

Remote Weapons Station

Vehicle supports an unmanned weapons station controlled remotely from within the safety of the vehicle.

Versatility

Vehicle's proven running gear and overall makeup lends itself well to fulfill other battlefield roles by way of specialized designs.

In-Direct Fire Capable

This system's capability is such that it can engage targets / target areas without Line-of-Sight attained.

Length

15.0 ft
4.57 m

Width

6.1 ft
1.87 m

Height

7.1 ft
2.17 m

Weight

13,889 lb
6,300 kg

Tonnage

6.9 tons
LIGHT

(Showcased structural values pertain to the base Dongfeng Mengshi production variant. Length typically includes main gun in forward position if applicable to the design)

Powerplant: 1 x Diesel-fueled turbocharged engine drviing 4x4 OR 6x6 all-wheeled arrangement.

Speed

62.1 mph
(100.0 kph)

Range

341.8 mi
(550.0 km)

(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base Dongfeng Mengshi production variant. Compare this entry against any other in our database)

OPTIONAL:
Typical fit includes a Remote Weapon Station mounting 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), 12.7mm Anti-Aircraft (AA) / Anti-Infantry (AI) Heavy Machine Gun (HMG), and 35mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL).

Also any personal weapons carried by the crew and passengers.

Dedicated versions carry Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs), 129mm field mortars, and 122mm howitzers.

Supported Types

Graphical image of a tank anti-tank guided missile

Graphical image of a tank medium machine gun

Graphical image of a tank heavy machine gun

Graphical image of infantry-level automatic grenade launcher

Graphical image of the M3 Grease Gun submachine gun

Graphical image of a military battlefield mortar shell

(Not all weapon types may be represented in the showcase above)

Dependent upon armament fit.

Mengshi - Base Series Name.

CSK-131 - Base multirole design; manually-controlled turret over roof; modern comms; 6,300kg gross weight rating.

CSK-131 CP - Command Post variant with enhanced comms suite.

CSK-131 ARV - Armored Recovered Vehicle form with 12.7mm HMG and 35mm AGL in RWS as well as dedicated equipment for the role.

TL-4 - Missile carrier with 4 x TL-4 ATGMs mounting.

CSK-141 - Advanced tactical vehicle with lengthened wheelbase; 10-passenger capable; RWS over hull roof; night-vision equipment; clamshell type doors; broad weapons support; 6.300kg gross weight rating.

CSK-181 - Light Tactical Vehicle of 2020 based in EQ2111 model; broad weapons support; RWS support; 8,000kg gross weight rating.

CSK-181 C2 - Command & Control variant.

CSK-181 ATGM - Missile carrier supporting HJ-11 or AFT-11 ATGM series missiles by way of mounted, trainable launcher.

CSK-182 - Shortened hull version of CSK-181; seating for six; RWS support; based in the EQ2111 production model.

CS/VN11 - Export version of the CSK-141.

EQ2111 - MRAP prototype offering; 8,500kg gross weight rating.

CTL-181 - Enhanced protection vehicle; 10,500kg gross weight rating.

CTL-181A - Variant.

PCL-171 - 122mm howitzer gun carrier.

CTL-181A ATMC - HJ-10 ATGM missile carrier.

CTL-181A 120mm - 120mm mortar carrier.

CTL-181A VLB - Vehicle-Launched Bridge carrier.