Artillery
Brief History of PLA's Type 83 273mm Multiple Launch Rocket System
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Brief History of PLA's
Type 83 273mm
Multiple Rocket Launcher System
by Leon Ing
Although the Type 83 MRL experienced a long development and did not enter service in large numbers with the PLA, the project benefited No.123 manufacturing plant in that the staff accumulating much needed experience and data for later designs. And the decision to continue its development proved to be a right one. Succeeding the Type 83 is the Type WM-80, an eight-rocket launcher configuration mounted on a high mobility 8X8 truck. Due to the application of a high performance composite propellant the rocket is capable a range of exceeding 80km with a CEP of 800 meters or approximately 1% of the total range. In addition, the development of a simplified guidance system was mentioned in an early brochure of the WM-80.
The WM-80 rockets can be armed with a range of warheads. Its HE warhead has a blast radius of 70 meters and a single warhead can produce as many as 16800 fragments. The anti-tank cluster warhead has 380 bomblets that each can penetrate 80 to 100mm of top armor. In trials it proved to be a very effective weapon against armor columns and against armored personnel carriers in particular. Other warheads available include incendiary and an fuel-air explosive warhead which potentially can have a blast effect three to five times more powerful than HE equivalent.
The crew compartment of the launcher vehicle houses an advanced fire control unit. Aiming and firing process are fully automated. On receiving a firing order, data from GPS and C3I computers is feed into the fire control computer by the operator. The computer then calculates an optimal firing solution, also taking into consideration the weather, terrain conditions, and the ammo type used. The launcher then automatically elevated into firing position. It will fire the rockets in single shots or full automatic salvo mode depending on the selection made by the operator. A launcher vehicle crew consists of five crew members: a commanding officer, a driver, a mechanical engineer/gunner and two loaders. Usually all members of the crew help out with the reload.
The former Soviet republic of Armenia remain the
only user of the WM-80 MRL.
According to Jane's Missile and Rocket, eight of such systems were sold
to Armenia in 1999.
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