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Hello, I would like to suggest an unusual modification of originally German SPAAG system known as Gepard. This modification was made for Romania and included domestically produced CA-94M surface-to-air missiles launchers developed from CA-94, Romanian license-built Soviet 9K32 Strela-2 variant.
Such combination was called Gepard-R.
Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer (Flakpanzer) Gepard was developed between 1960s and 1970s in Germany as a replacement for outdated M42 Duster SPAAGs, first vehicles entered service of German Army in 1976. These SPAAG systems became very successful and were widely exported to other countries. One of countries utilizing Gepard systems and still using them is Romania.
In 2004, 43 phased-out Gepard systems were donated to Romania by Germany. 36 SPAAGs were renovated by KMW (Krauss-Maffei Wegmann) while the remaining 7 vehicles were supposed to be used for spare parts. The donation also included logistics and the training of 25 Romanian specialists. These vehicles were B2L standard, which included lazer rangefinder.
Apart from the regular usage, there was also an attempt to modernize it into SAM system.
Between 2004 and 2005, one of these systems was used by Romanian SC Electromecanica Ploieşti SA and German Krauss Maffei Wegmann to create an experimental prototype. Romanian company was responsible for missiles, launchers, FCS with missiles, crew training and field-range test organization,
while the German partner provided FCS integration, supply, special maintenance facility and logistics.
The modernized A-94M missile developed in 1995 significantly differed from its Soviet predecessor, although its dimensions and operation remained largely unchanged. Improvements were made to the warhead, night-fighting capability, and friend-or-foe identification, it was also adopted to NATO standards. These missiles were used in Romania outside of Gepard-R prototype as MANPADS and appeared on some of other vehicles.
According to available information Romania still has 227 CA-94 (including M version) launchers.
Despite successful results during evaluations, for unknown reasons Gepard-R eventually didn’t go past prototype stage.
Specifications:
Spoiler
- S-band surveillance radar, range: 15 km;
- Armaments: 2 x 35 mm Oerlikon KDA cannon; 2 x A-94M missiles (some sources claim 4 missiles with 2 launchers on both sides);
- Maximum vehicle speed: 65 km/h;
- Engine performance: 610 kW (830 HP);
- Height (turret roof): 3.29 m;
- Width :3.71 m;
- Length: (turret 12:00 o’clock): 7.68 m;
- IFF: Model 1-IV;
A-94M missiles
- length: 1532 mm (with the wings folded into the tube);
- caliber: 72 mm;
- weight: 15 kg (launcher included);
- target altitude: 30 – 2300 m;
- minimum firing distance: incoming 500 m, outgoing 600 m;
- maximum firing distance: incoming 3300 m, outgoing 4600m;
- maximum target speed: incoming 265 m/s, outgoing 310m/s;
- maximum missile speed: 430m/s;
- warhead range: 0.5 m;
- thermal battery parameter entry time 1.3 sec;
- probability of hitting with a single missile: 0.4.
Photos:
Sources:
In War Thunder this variant of already known Gepard spaag would represent a mix of Western and Soviet-based technologies (a key feature of Romanian designs in general) and provide a good AA support at its BR.