PZA Loara

History of the PZA Loara

The PZA Loara was a short-lived self-propelled anti-aircraft gun utilized exclusively by the Polish Army. Initially developed on a T-72M tank chassis in the late 1990s, it later underwent an upgrade to the PT-91 "Twardy" tank chassis. The vehicle featured a radar-equipped turret with two 35mm automatic cannons, offering the ability to engage airborne targets at altitudes up to 16,500 feet. Despite its relatively light steel armor and the use of a 1,000 hp diesel engine, the Loara demonstrated robust off-road and on-road performance, achieving speeds of 37 mph.

In response to the ongoing threat of biological weapons, the Loara was equipped with a standard Nuclear Biochemistry suite to protect its crew. Operating both independently and as part of a larger force, the vehicle boasted a comprehensive sensor suite, including a 3D air search radar and an Ericksson "Eagle" Mk.1 intervention radar with a laser rangefinder. With TV and FLIR installations, the Loara could scan up to 16 miles, track 64 airborne targets simultaneously, and engage a variety of threats, including enemy fighters, helicopters, missiles, drones, and ground targets when required.

Despite its capabilities, the Polish Army utilized only one Loara sample, known as "Loara-A," for a brief period before its retirement in 2013. The vehicle's service highlighted its role as a versatile and advanced asset in air defense, showcasing its ability to adapt to different battlefield scenarios and address a range of potential threats.

Specification

Basics

Year: 2013

Origins: Poland

Status: Retirement

Crew: 3

Production: 1

Manufacturer: RADWAR S.A. - Poland

Air Defense/Airspace Denial: The base model or variants can be used to search, track and neutralize aerial elements at a distance.

Notable Features

Crawler layout

The vehicle uses a track wheel arrangement to provide improved off-road capability.

Main Tower

This vehicle is of modern tank quality and its main armament is housed in a turret.

Drive-through owner weapon

The weapon is located in the traversing module, which can strike the enemy threat in all directions.

Shoot anytime, anywhere

Airborne systems of modern quality ensure the accuracy of the main weapon and allow firing on the move.

Cross-country skiing

The design includes features such as a chain linkage system or high ground clearance for better traversing of terrain.

Horn armor

Angled armor on critical faces adds inherent ballistic protection to the vehicle.

Panzerrock

Additional protection of the upper track area and running wheels is achieved by additional armored skirts along the sides of the hull.

ABC Protection

Crew are protected (standard or optional) by nuclear biological and chemical agents to improve survivability in contaminated areas.

Smoke shield

The vehicle itself can generate a smoke screen either through fired projectiles or built-in engine function (raw fuel injection).

Night Vision

Night vision equipment is available to the crew to allow operation in low light conditions or at night.

Available for air defense/air defense

The system will receive an air defense component to protect itself from low-flying threats from afar.

Anti-Infantry

Vehicles have built-in anti-infantry capabilities for local vehicle defense or general troop suppression.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 21.9 feet (6.67m)

Width: 11. 2 feet (3.4m)

Height: 7. 2 feet (2.19m)

Weight: 99,208 lbs (45,000 kg)

Tonnage: 49.6 tons

Power and Performance

Engine: 1 x 1,000 hp S-1000 diesel engine to drive conventional sprocket arrangement.

Speed: 37.3 km/h (60.0 km/h)

Weapons

2 x 35 x 228 mm L/90 Oerlikon KDA automatic cannons, one on each side of the turret. There are 12 smoke grenade launchers on both rears, six on each rear.

AMMOTION

420 x 35mm projectile (estimated). 12 x Smoke Grenade.