Type 83/WM-40

The Type 83 is a multiple launch rocket system of the People's Republic of China. It is used for destruction of surface targets.

Development

The system was developed in 1978 by the state-owned arms manufacturer NORINCO. The first systems were introduced in the Chinese armed forces 1984 years. Because the type 83 was always problematic, it was produced only in a small number of units and stopped production in 1988. Meanwhile, the rockets of the type 83 are used as target representation missile ( target drones ) for the training of air defense units. The Type 83 was the basis for the later WM -80 multiple rocket launchers.

Variants

• Type 83: Standard version with four launchers tubes; with missiles with a max. Firing distance of 40 km.
• WM -40: Export version

Technology

The entire system is housed on Type -60- 1 Chain vehicle. The vehicle is a horizontally and vertically pivoting Werferarm is installed behind the cab. In this four launchers tubes are mounted side by side. The launcher vehicle weighs 17.5 tonnes and has a crew of five men. Powered by a vehicle we 12150L diesel engine with 300 hp. This allows the vehicle a driving speed of 60 km / h and a driving range of around 400 km. The missiles are fired at an interval of 7.5 seconds. Reloading an empty pitcher is done with a crane and takes about 10 minutes.

Rocketry

The missile caliber 273 mm spin-stabilized and have the missile at the end of four stabilizing fins. The twist of the missile is caused by four thrusters which are arranged at right angles to Hauptantriebsdüse. The rockets measure 4,752 m in length and have a launch mass of 484 kg. The maximum shooting distance is 40 km at a burnout speed of 810.5 m / s The minimum shooting distance is 23 km. The maximum dispersion of a missile salvo is at 0.7 % in the flight direction and 1.2% in the azimuth. The missiles have a 134 kg heavy fragmentation warhead with a splitter sphere of almost 70 m.

Dissemination

People's Republic of China People's Republic of China