
Specifications
Year: 2002
Manufacturer(s): China NORth INdustries Corporation (NORINCO) - China
Production: 20
Capabilities: Fire Support/Assault/Breaching;
Manufacturer(s): China NORth INdustries Corporation (NORINCO) - China
Production: 20
Capabilities: Fire Support/Assault/Breaching;
Crew: 4
Length: 39.37 ft (12 m)
Width: 9.84 ft (3 m)
Height: 9.84 ft (3 m)
Weight: 40 tons (36,300 kg); 80,028 lb
Length: 39.37 ft (12 m)
Width: 9.84 ft (3 m)
Height: 9.84 ft (3 m)
Weight: 40 tons (36,300 kg); 80,028 lb
Power: 1 x Diesel engine developing 640 horsepower.
Speed: 37 mph (60 kph)
Range: 404 miles (650 km)
Range: 404 miles (650 km)
Operators: China; Pakistan; Tanzania
Differences between the Chinese interpretation of the Russian Smerch series is in the carrier vehicle and the rockets themselves. The carrier vehicle is a local Chinese industry heavy-duty 8x8 wheeled chassis - the Tai'an TAS5380 truck - powered by a diesel-fueled engine of 640 horsepower. This supplies a maximum road speed up to 60 kmh with a road range out to 650 kilometers. The vehicle features a running length of 9 meters, width of 2.8 meters, and height of 3.2 meters. A forward-mounted crew cab is featured for the driver's compartment and the total crew complement is four. Hydraulic legs are lowered prior to the firing of the rockets - which takes just seconds to clear the launcher unit.
Concerning the rockets, these weapons are fitted with a basic guidance system (featuring computer correction) which helps to improve overall accuracy. Since field saturation is primarily the name-of-the-game regarding MLRSs, accuracy remains something of a bonus quality of the A-100. None-the-less, accuracy on the battlefield is still a priceless commodity regardless of weapon, particularly where collateral damage and civilian deaths are to be avoided. The rockets are of 300mm caliber and hold a maximum range out to 100 kilometers. The launcher unit is sat atop the carrier vehicle and sports ten total launch tubes for a devastating salvo against an intended enemy-held area. The typical warhead is a High-Explosive, FRAGmentation (HE-FRAG) type while a submunition dispenser variant is also available for combating infantry and armored forces. Rockets are powered by a solid propellant booster unit and measure some 7+ meters in overall length.
Tanzania is said to be the only global operator of the A-100.
Tanzania is said to be the only global operator of the A-100.
Armament
10 x 300mm rocket launch tubes.
Ammunition:
10 x rockets; reloads dependent upon ammunition carrier.
Variants / Models
• A-100 - Base Series Designation; 8x8 wheeled configuration through TAS5380 truck as carrier.