WMA301 Fire Support Vehicle

[OddPhenomena 1,015]

The WMA301 is a Chinese export 6x6 fire support vehicle. It is armed with a 105mm gun in a turret mounted on the chassis of the widely used WZ551 APC. It currently serves with Cameroon, Chad, Djibouti, Myanmar, and Senegal, and potentially with other countries as well.

 

History of the WZ-551 chassis

Spoiler

The predecessor to the WZ-551, the WZ-523, first appeared at the National Day of the People's Republic of China in 1984. This vehicle was a recent development, with the intention being a 6x6 APC capable of crossing rough terrain. Behind the scenes though, the vehicle was inadequate, underpowered, and had poor cross country terrain capability at high altitude. Instead of concentrating on making versions with 4x4 or 8x8 wheels, resources were put into improving the vehicle itself, putting the chicken before the egg so to speak.
 

WZ-523

 

The new vehicle, once completed, was showcased in 1986 as the WZ-551, also known as the Type 92, and ZSL-92. Since entering service, it has seen a number of variations, from anti tank vehicles, fire support vehicles, mobile SAM launchers, and a self propelled gun mortar version.
 

WZ-551

 

One of the notable variations is the PTL-02, a WZ-551 mounting a turret with a 100mm high velocity gun in it, which is likely the basis for the WMA301.
 

PTL-02

 

Details of the WMA301

Spoiler

The WMA301 is a modified version of the PTL-02, a vehicle with a 100mm gun used by the PLA. It uses a different turret that has been seen on a couple other export vehicles made by China, mounting a 105mm gun. It can fire 105mm APFSDS, HEAT, and HE rounds, as well as an ATGM. 

 

The armor is the same as that of the WZ-551, which is claimed to be enough to stop 12.7mm rounds, but anything larger will likely go through.

 

Mobility is provided by a 320 hp Deutz BF8L413F diesel engine, propelling the vehicle up to 80 km/h.

 

Specifications

Spoiler

Country of origin China Entered service ? Crew 5 men (?) Dimensions and weight Weight ~ 20 t Length (gun forward) ? Hull length ~ 6.7 m Width ~ 2.9 m Height ? Armament Main gun 105 mm rifled Barrel length ? Maximum range of fire ? Rate of fire ? Machine guns 1 x 7.62 mm, 1 x 12.7 mm Elevation range ? Traverse range 360 degrees Ammunition load Main gun ~ 30 rounds Machine guns 7.62 x 800, 12.7 x 480 (?) Mobility Engine Deutz BF8L413F diesel Engine power 320 hp Maximum road speed ~ 80 km/h Range ~ 700 km Maneuverability Gradient 60% Side slope 30% Vertical step 0.5 m Trench 1.2 m Fording ~ 1.2 m

 

Pictures

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

Sources

Spoiler

• http://www.military-today.com/artillery/wma_301.htm
• https://www.armyrecognition.com/april_2016_global_defense_security_news_industry/senegal_received_new_norinco_wma301_assaulter_armoured_fire-support_vehicles_vehicles_50804161.html
• https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/wma-301.htm

 

[ItssLuBu 1,798]

Approved and open for discussion. 

[Milocat 4,854]

Definite +1, looks like a perfect unique vehicle to add to the Chinese tree.

[Borotovas 4,500]

+1

 

It could be a foreign export premium.

[eleks12 1,079]

+1

[Billygoatunicorn 178]

Would give china a wheeled tank destroyer. +1

 

[OddPhenomena 1,015]

It's here! Not bad penetration on that ATGM, it seems like a nice premium.

 

 

 

 

[jet_17_49 411]

I am now confused as to whether it actually has a 100mm or a 105mm cannon.

 

If it has both, this might be a sign that the devs have finally started looking into the PTL's ammo suite. Hopefully we can see the tech tree PTL get its T-72 lolpenning dart in a not too distant update.

[DMYEugen 688]

On 21/05/2021 at 06:15, jet_17_49 said:

I am now confused as to whether it actually has a 100mm or a 105mm cannon.

 

If it has both, this might be a sign that the devs have finally started looking into the PTL's ammo suite. Hopefully we can see the tech tree PTL get its T-72 lolpenning dart in a not too distant update.

It's a 105mm. They moved the ATGM to the correct ammunition menu on the dev server.

[DF41_Express_ 26]

We have it!!!

[leroyonly 4,310]

As the WMA-301 has been implemented with update 2.7 Red Skies,

 

Moved to Implemented Suggestions.