WMA301 105 mm fire support vehicle

[Zarvan]

The WMA301 fire support vehicle is a low cost fire support vehicle



Country of origin China
Entered service ?
Crew 5 men (?)
Dimensions and weight
Weight ~ 20 t
Length (gun forward) ?
Hull length ~ 6.7 m
Width ~ 2.9 m
Height ?
Armament
Main gun 105 mm rifled
Barrel length ?
Maximum range of fire ?
Rate of fire ?
Machine guns 1 x 7.62 mm, 1 x 12.7 mm
Elevation range ?
Traverse range 360 degrees
Ammunition load
Main gun ~ 30 rounds
Machine guns 7.62 x 800, 12.7 x 480 (?)
Mobility
Engine Deutz BF8L413F diesel
Engine power 320 hp
Maximum road speed ~ 80 km/h
Range ~ 700 km
Maneuverability
Gradient 60%
Side slope 30%
Vertical step 0.5 m
Trench 1.2 m
Fording ~ 1.2 m


The WMA301 fire support vehicle was developed in China. It is a modified export version of the PTL02, which is widely used by the Chinese army. The WMA301 can be identified by a wedge-shaped turret. It is in service with Cameroon, Chad, Djibouti, Myanmar, Senegal, and possibly some other countries. This vehicle saw action during various military conflicts.

The WMA301 was designed to engage armored vehicles, buildings, field fortifications and other targets. Sometimes this vehicle is referred as assault gun or tank destroyer. However its main role is to provide fire support to nearby units, rather than to engage enemy tanks. Its armor is simply too weak for this role.

The WMA301 is based on existing technologies, thus maximally reducing its development and production costs. It uses chassis of the Type 92armored personnel carrier and most of the parts are interchangeable. It is armed with a 105 mm rifled gun, which is compatible with all standard NATO ammunition. It is worth noting that the original Chinese PTL02 fire support vehicle has a smaller 100 mm gun.

The WMA301 fires APFSDS, HEAT and HE rounds. It can also launch 105 mm anti-tank guided missiles in the same manner as ordinary munitions. These extend the effective range to up to 5 km. Vehicle carries around 30 rounds for the main gun.

Fire control and observation systems of the WMA301 are rather simple. It lacks hunter-killer capability, which is present on most modern fire support vehicles.

Secondary armament consists of a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun, and roof-mounted 12.7 mm machine gun.

As mentioned before, this vehicle is not that effective against modern main battle tanks. However this gun penetrates front armor of the tanks like T-55, T-62, and some other, that are widespread in Africa and Southeast Asia - in the regions where these fire support vehicles are deployed.

Vehicle has a welded steel armor hull and turret. All-round protection is from 12.7 mm machine gun fire. Also it seems that vehicle is fitted with an NBC protection system and automatic fire suppression equipment.

It looks like that this fire support vehicle has a crew of five.

Chassis of the WMA301 is almost identical to the Type 92 armored vehicles and most of the parts are interchangeable. Vehicle is powered by the Deutz BF8L413F turbocharged diesel engine, developing 320 horsepower. Engine is located in the middle. It is mated to a manual gearbox with 9-forward and 1-reverse gears. Two front pairs of wheels are steerable. Vehicle is fitted with a central tyre pressure regulation system, which improved mobility over difficult terrain, such as sand, snow or mud. It looks like amphibious capability is proposed as an option.

http://www.military-today.com/artillery/wma_301.htm

 

[TheNoob]

Doesnt seem very safe if you ask me.