PZA Loara-A | |
---|---|
![]() The PZA Loara-A anti-aircraft vehicle | |
Type | Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun |
Place of origin | Poland |
Specifications | |
Mass | 45 tonnes |
Length | 6.67 m (21 ft 11 in) |
Width | 3.4 m (11 ft 2 in) |
Height | 2.19 m (7 ft 2 in) |
Crew | 3 (commander, driver, gunner) |
Armor | conventional steel |
Main armament | 2 × 35×228mm Oerlikon KDA L/90 autocannon |
Secondary armament | none |
Engine | diesel S-1000 1000 hp |
Power/weight | 20 hp/tonne |
Suspension | torsion bar |
Operational range | 650 km (400 mi) |
Maximum speed | 60 km/h (37 mph) |
The PZA Loara (Polish: Przeciwlotniczy Zestaw Artyleryjski or "anti-aircraft artillery system") is a Polish armoured radar-directed self-propelled anti-aircraft gun system. The original PZA Loara prototype was based on the chassis of the T-72M tank. The production version known as PZA Loara-A is based on the chassis of the PT-91 MBT.
The system was developed in Poland in the late 1990s by RADWAR S.A. in cooperation with numerous state and industry partners. Work on the project began in 1994 with an emphasis on the PZA variant of the vehicle. A working prototype was completed by the year 2000, which was subsequently submitted for live fire trials in September. It was originally planned that the LOARA program would also include a missile-armed version of the system – called the PZR Loara – a missile-armed version of the vehicle based on the PZA and sharing approx. 70% parts commonality. The PZR was ultimately canceled.
Early prototypes were built on a modified T-72M tank chassis, which saw the driver's compartment relocated to the left side of the hull, the torsion bar suspension system reinforced and the vehicle received an auxiliary power unit with larger capacity batteries necessary to operate the on-board electronics. The current production vehicle is based around the chassis of the PT-91 "Twardy" tank, and mounts a large, armored rotary turret manned by the vehicle commander and gunner/operator. The turret is a welded plate design capable of protecting the crew against small arms fire and shell splinters. The turret contains two banks (2x6) of smoke dischargers and two Oerlikon KDA 35 mm automatic cannons linked to a fire control radar (like on Flakpanzer Gepard).
The KDA is license-built in Poland by Huta Stalowa Wola. It is a gas-operated weapon with a dual belt feed mechanism, driven by a laterally-mounted gas piston operating rod. The air-cooled, fluted barrel has a variable rifling twist and is equipped with a muzzle device that relays muzzle velocities to the fire control computer. The left and right cannons are not interchangeable since their feed systems require a different mounting configuration for each gun. The cannon fires the 35x228 mm round with several types of ammunition, including Ahead "smart" rounds (which have a programmable fuse and directional payload ejection capability, allowing engagement of missiles and other very small targets) and subcaliber FAPDS. The HE ammunition is stored in a magazine at the base of the turret basket and has a capacity for 2x210 rounds. Belts with armour-piercing ammunition (20 rounds per belt) are carried in large magazines on the turret exterior. The turret and gun drive systems are electrical.
The Loara is an autonomous fire unit capable of performing its tasks independently or acting as a component in a wider air defence net. The system has two radars: a 3D search radar with a built-in IFF interrogator and an Ericsson Eagle Mk 1 engagement radar. The search radar has a range of 26 km and is capable of tracking and identifying up to 64 targets at once. The radar system can also be operated on the move, refreshing its data every second. The system also has a DL-1 laser range-finder, a KTVD-1 daytime TV camera as well as a SAGEM Iris FLIR giving the system both all-weather day/night capabilities and the ability to operate entirely passively in a heavily saturated ECM environment. The Loara has a reaction time of under 10 seconds[ citation needed ]; initial target scanning and acquisition while on the move is carried out by the vehicle commander by means of his stabilized panoramic 8x PSPD-1 periscope sight developed PCO S.A. The system can engage aircraft flying at very low altitudes up to 5,000 m, and flying at speeds of up to 500 m/s. It is also effective against lightly armored ground and naval targets.
The PZA Loara is additionally equipped with a full NBC suit, air-conditioning of the crew compartment.
It was awarded two awards at International Defence Industry show in Kielce in 2004:
An anti-aircraft vehicle, also known as a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) or self-propelled air defense system (SPAD), is a mobile vehicle with a dedicated anti-aircraft capability.
The PT-91 Twardy is a Polish main battle tank. A development of the T-72M1, it entered service in 1995. The PT-91 was designed at the OBRUM and is produced by the Bumar Łabędy company, part of the Bumar Group, a Polish technical military consortium. Changes from the T-72M include a new dual-axis stabilized fire-control system, reactive armour, a more powerful engine, transmission and new automatic loader.
The Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer Gepard is an all-weather-capable West German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) based on the hull of the Leopard 1. It was developed in the 1960s, fielded in the 1970s, and has been upgraded several times with the latest electronics. It has been a cornerstone of the air defence of the German Army (Bundeswehr) and a number of other NATO countries.
The M247 Sergeant York DIVAD was a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG), developed by Ford Aerospace in the late 1970s. Based on the M48 Patton tank, it replaced the Patton's turret with a new one that featured twin radar-directed Bofors 40 mm rapid-fire guns. The vehicle was named after Sergeant Alvin York, a famous World War I hero.
The Oerlikon GDF or Oerlikon 35 mm twin cannon is a towed anti-aircraft gun made by Oerlikon Contraves. The system was originally designated 2 ZLA/353 ML but this was later changed to GDF-001. It was developed in the late 1950s and is used by around 30 countries.
The 2K22 Tunguska is a Soviet tracked self-propelled anti-aircraft gun armed with a surface-to-air gun and missile system. It is designed to provide day and night protection for infantry and tank regiments against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and cruise missiles in all weather conditions. The NATO reporting name for the missile used by the weapon system is SA-19 "Grison".
The South Korean K30 Biho twin 30 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon was developed to meet the operational requirements of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces for a highly mobile short range air defense system suited to the operational and terrain conditions of the Korean peninsula. It combines an electro-optically guided 30 mm gun system with a surveillance radar system on a K200 chassis. It supplements the K263A1 Chungung, a self-propelled 20 mm Vulcan system.
The BMPT "Terminator" is an armored fighting vehicle (AFV), designed and manufactured by the Russian company Uralvagonzavod. This vehicle was designed for supporting tanks and other AFVs in urban areas. The BMPT is unofficially named the "Terminator" by the manufacturers. It is heavily armed and armored to survive in urban combat. The AFV is armed with four 9M120 Ataka missile launchers, two 30 mm 2A42 autocannons, two AG-17D grenade launchers, and one coaxial 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun.
The OTO main anti-aircraft tank for intercept and combat was an Italian self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) prototype. Designed and built by OTO Melara, it was armed with a single 76 mm naval gun.
The WZ-551 is a Chinese wheeled infantry fighting vehicle family. The name WZ-551 actually covers two families of vehicles with the official designations in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) – Type 90 and Type 92. Over 3,000 WZ-551s are in service with the PLA, where they are used by medium mechanized infantry units.
Counter rocket, artillery, and mortar, abbreviated C-RAM or counter-RAM, is a set of systems used to detect and/or destroy incoming rockets, artillery, and mortars before they hit their targets, or provide early warning.
Marksman is a British short range air defense system developed by Marconi, consisting of a turret, a Marconi Series 400 radar and two Swiss Oerlikon 35 mm anti-aircraft autocannons. It is similar to the German Gepard system in terms of engine performance, ammunition carried and effective range of the ammunition.
The Type 95 is a Chinese self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicle. It is armed with four 25 mm caliber cannons and optionally four fire-and-forget QW-2 infrared homing missiles. It was first displayed publicly at the Beijing Military Parade in 1999. Earlier in development the system was designated Type 90-II and Type 90-III.
The ZBD-04 or Type 04 is a Chinese infantry fighting vehicle. It bears some external resemblance to the BMP-3, particularly with regards to its turret and main armament; However, the chassis and internal subsystem possesses a different layout. The earliest prototypes received the designation ZBD-97. An improved version, ZBD-04A, is the vehicle currently in service and being produced.
Flakpanzer is a German term for "anti-aircraft tanks". These vehicles are modified tanks whose armament was intended to engage aircraft, rather than targets on the ground.
The ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" is a lightly armored Soviet self-propelled, radar-guided anti-aircraft weapon system (SPAAG). It was superseded by the 2K22 Tunguska.
Fliegerabwehrpanzer 68 was a Swiss self-propelled anti-aircraft gun which was tested but did not enter service.
The Type 09 is a Chinese self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicle manufactured by Norinco. It is armed with two 35 millimeter cannons and optionally two to four fire-and-forget infrared homing missiles. It started to gradually replace the predecessor Type 95 in 2009. Some military analysts designated the vehicle as Type 07, but the official designation was confirmed as Type 09 on the Theme Exhibition of the 90th Anniversary of Chinese People's Liberation Army in 2017.
The KORKUT is a Turkish all-weather-capable 35 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) developed by Aselsan.
The Skyranger 35 is a short range air defence turret system developed by Rheinmetall Air Defence AG.