Aviation Naval Warfare Land Systems Small Arms By Flag By Year By Tag

NORINCO A-100 MLRS

2002 MODERN

History

China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) based on China's Russian BM-30 (9A52-2) "Smerch" 8x8 wheel system. The Chinese are believed to have taken over an undisclosed number of these vehicles for evaluation in the late 1990s.

While not immediately adopted, the Russian product has undoubtedly had an impact on the PLA's Local Multiple Rocket Launch System (MLRS) solution. The result of this work was the A-100 introduced in 2000.

The A-100 was evaluated by the PLA, but the role ultimately fell to the "PHL03" series of wheeled rocket launchers.

The difference between the Russian Smerch series explained in Chinese is the launch vehicle and the missile itself, the launch vehicle is a heavy-duty 8x8 chassis produced by China's local industry - the Taian TAS5380 truck - powered by a 640 hp diesel engine. This provides a top road speed of up to 60 km/h and a road range of up to 650 km. The barrel of the vehicle is 9 meters long, 2.8 meters wide and 3.2 meters high.

The cab is equipped with a front crew cab with a total crew of four. Lower the hydraulic legs before launching the rocket - it only takes a few seconds to release the launcher.

As for the missiles, these weapons are equipped with a basic guidance system (with computer correction) that contributes to the overall accuracy. Since field saturation is mostly the name of the MLRS game, accuracy remains a bonus quality for the A-100. Still, regardless of the weapon used, accuracy on the battlefield remains invaluable, especially when avoiding collateral damage and civilian deaths. These missiles have a caliber of 300 mm and have a maximum range of 100 km. The launch unit is located on the carrier vehicle and has a total of ten launch tubes to deliver a devastating salvo of targeted enemy areas.

The typical warhead is the high-explosive warhead (HE-FRAG), while the submunition dispenser variant can also be used against infantry and armored forces. The rocket is powered by solid boosters and has a total length of over 7 meters.

Tanzania is said to be the only A-100 operator in the world.