The PZA Loara was a short-lived Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Artillery Vehicle (SPAAAV) having only served Polish Land Forces. The system had its origins in the PZA prototype built atop the existing chassis of the T-72M Main Battle Tank and saw local development undertaken in the late-1990s. The prototype was then graduated to the PT-91 "Twardy" MBT chassis, the localized Polish T-72M MBT evolution.
The vehicle fielded a pair of 35mm L/90 caliber Oerlikon KDA automatic cannons (2 x 35x228mm) residing on the sides of a radar-equipped, fully-traversing turret set atop a conventional track-and-wheel arrangement and featured full "fire-on-the-move" capability thanks to stabilization and its particular radar fit. Armor protection came in relatively light (conventional steel being used) and smoke grenade dischargers were noted along the lower front panels of the turret base. The crew encompassed just three - driver, commander, and gunner and power was pulled from a single S-1000 diesel-fueled engine of 1,000 horsepower driving the six road wheels to a hull side. The upper sides of the hull were given protection by way of "skirt" armor panels which also shrouded the top track linkages. The vehicle ran on a torsion bar suspension system which gave good cross-country and road travel performance with on-road speeds reaching a useful 37 miles-per-hour. Due to the persistent threat of biological weapons on European battlefields, a full NBC (Nuclear-Biological-Chemical) suite was carried as standard for the crew.
The Loara was able to operate in daytime and low-level light environments, operating independently or as part of a larger fighting force. Radar was used to direct the Fire Control System (FCS) and was made up of a 3D air-search component coupled to an Ericksson "Eagle" Mk.1 engagement radar with laser range-finder. TV and FLIR were also standard installations on the vehicle.
All together, these systems gave the vehicle a scanning capability out to sixteen miles, the ability to track as many as sixty-four airborne targets simultaneously, and engage targets as high up as 16,500 feet. Beyond attacking low-level enemy warplanes, the tank could also be used to neutralize helicopters, inbound missiles, UAVs, and ground targets as needed.
Polish Land Forces operated a single Loara example ("Loara-A") for only a short time. This example was withdrawn from service in 2013.
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the PZA Loara-A Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Artillery (SPAAA).
1 x S-1000 diesel-fueled engine developing 1,000 horsepower driving conventional track-and-wheel arrangement. Installed Power
37 mph 60 kph Road Speed
Structure The physical qualities of the PZA Loara-A Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Artillery (SPAAA).
3 (MANNED) Crew
21.9 ft 6.67 meters O/A Length
11.2 ft 3.4 meters O/A Width
7.2 ft 2.19 meters O/A Height
99,208 lb 45,000 kg | 49.6 tons Weight
Armament & Ammunition Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the PZA Loara Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Artillery (SPAAA).
2 x 35x228mm L/90 Oerlikon KDA automatic cannons, one gun per turret side.
12 x Smoke grenade dischargers in two backs of six dischargers each.
AMMUNITION: 420 x 35mm projectiles (estimated).
12 x Smoke Grenades.
Variants Notable series variants as part of the PZA Loara family line.
PZA Loara - Base Series Designation.
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the PZA Loara. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.
Total Production: 1 Units Contractor(s): RADWAR S.A. - Poland
[ Poland ]
Going Further... The PZA Loara Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Artillery (SPAAA) appears in the following collections:
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.
