Artillery / Multiple rocket launchers / Type 83
Type 83
General Facts
- TYPE
Multiple rocket launcher - ORIGIN
China - NICKNAMES
- - DESIGNED
1978 - 1984 - DESIGNER
Factory 123 - PRODUCTION
1984 - 1988 - PRODUCERS
China - Factory 123 - QUANTITY
Number produced reported to be about several dozen vehicles. - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Long range at time of development
Low cost system
Low speed on road and in the field
Only one type of warhead available
Introduction
The Type 83 is a late Cold War era multiple rocket launcher of Chinese origin. It was developed to provide long range artillery for the Chinese forces. Although development started in the 1950's, the project suffered from the 1960's reforms in China. In the late 1970's the project was restarted. The Type 83 was only produced in limited numbers. The WM-80 is a product improved version developed for the export market.
Layout
The Type 83 is based on the Type 60-1 artillery tractor. The four round launcher is fitted on a turntable and fires over the frontal arc. Each box type launcher contains inner launch rails. Unlike the later WM-80 the launchers are fixed and rockets are located individually. The large 273 mm diameter unguided rockets are fin stabilized. Before firing two stabilizers are lowered. Time into action is about 1 minute. Additional rockets are carried in transloader trucks equipped with a crane.
Firepower
The Type 83 carries four 273mm Type 83 rockets. A four round salvo is fired in 7.5 seconds. At the time of development the 40 km range was considered long, about twice as long as regular 122mm rocket artillery could achieve. Minimum range is 23 km. CEP is about 300 m in range and 500 m in lateral spread. The only type of warhead available is high explosive.
Protection
The Type 60-1 tractor chassis is a soft skinned vehicle. While operating the launcher and throughout the lengthy reloading procedure the crew remains in the open. There is no NBC protection, although personal systems may be carried.
Mobility
The tracked chassis gives the Type 83 all terrain mobility. The maximum speed is poor at only 45 km/h. Average speed is about 30 km/h. The Type 83 is not amphibious.
Users
The Type 83 was adopted by the Chinese PLA in limited numbers. It was slated to be replaced by the more capable PHL03 system. The Type 83 has not been exported.
Type 83 launch vehicle
The Type 83 multiple rocket launcher was produced in only one version. It is based on the Type 60-1 artillery tractor and features a four round launcher. The launcher is manually aimed using a Type 85 sight unit. The 5 men crew is seated in the cab and the transloader truck. Before firing two jacks are lowered in order to stabilize the vehicle.
- Specifications:
- Type 83
Type | Multiple rocket launcher |
---|---|
Crew | 5 (commander, driver, gunner, 2 loaders) |
Length | 6.19 m |
Width | 2.60 m |
Height | 3.18 m (launcher lowered) |
Ground clearance | ? |
Weight | 15.1 t empty, 17.5 t combat load |
Ground pressure | ? |
Wheelbase | Tracked chassis, 5 roadwheels, idler front, drive sprocket rear |
Turn radius | ? |
Engine | ? |
Power ratio | ? |
---|---|
Transmission | ? |
Speed | 45 km/h on road, 30 to 35 km/h on dirt road |
Fuel | ? |
Range | 400 km |
Wall | ? |
Trench | ? |
Gradient | ? |
Fording | ? |
Armor | No |
NBC equipment | No |
Night vision | No |
---|---|
Smoke | No |
Remarks | - |
Armament | 273mm rocket launcher (4x) |
Weapon1 | Four round 273mm rocket launcher 4 rockets ready to fire +5 to +56° elevation, manual -10 to +10° traverse, manual non-stabilized |
Weapon2 | - |
Weapon3 | - |
Weapon4 | - |
Weapon5 | - |
Weapon6 | - |
273mm Type 83 artillery rockets
The 273mm Type 83 artillery rocket is both fin and spin stabilized. The four wings at the end are fixed. The solid fuel rocket is unguided and only available with high explosive warhead. Individuel rockets are loaded into the four round launcher by a crane equipped transloading truck.
- Specifications:
- 273mm Type 83
Type | Artillery rocket |
---|---|
Diameter | 0.273 m body, ? m wingspan |
Length | 4.52 m |
Weight | 484 kg |
Guidance | Unguided, ballistic flight |
---|---|
Warhead | 134 kg HE with impact fuse |
Propulsion | Single-stage solid propellant rocket motor |
Speed | Up to 811 m/s |
Range | 23 km minimum, 40 km maximum |
---|---|
Altitude | - |
Engagement envelope | - |
Remarks | - |