ROMARM PAAD - Multipurpose MITL laser guided missiles, IR AAMs and MANPADs

Akizyro · July 30, 2026, 12:07am

Would you like to see this in-game?

Yes
No (Explain why)

0 voters

Suggestion No.113

G’day lads. I want to suggest the PAAD; a modified Romanian TAB-C79 variant that carries laser guided STAR-80L missiles capable of engaging ground and air targets, and also can carry A-95M AA and A-94M MANPAD missiles :)

Description:

Spoiler

The PAAD (Platforma Autopropulsată pentru Apărare Apropiată) was an experimental Romanian multi role combat vehicle developed by Electromecanica Ploiești (ROMARM) as a modular weapons platform based on the TAB-C79 4x4 armoured personnel carrier. Intended to provide both close air defence and precision ground attack capabilities, the vehicle was designed to carry STAR-80L laser guided rockets alongside either A-95M or the A-94M short range surface to air missiles. An electro optical TOPLITE fire control system equipped with day and thermal imaging cameras, a laser rangefinder and a laser target designator enabled the PAAD to detect, identify and engage both ground and low flying aerial targets, while also allowing it to designate targets for the STAR-80L independently of the launch vehicle.

grafik

The STAR-80L (Smart Tactical Advanced Rocket) is a Romanian laser guided tactical rocket developed by Electromecanica Ploiești (part of ROMARM) in cooperation with Elbit Systems of Israel. It was created by converting the existing Romanian 80mm PRND (Proiectil Reactiv Nedirijat) unguided rocket into a precision-guided munition through the addition of a semi active laser guidance section. The project was intended to provide the Romanian Armed Forces with an inexpensive precision weapon capable of engaging point targets while making use of existing stocks of 80mm rockets.

grafik

Designed for launch from both ground vehicles and helicopters, the STAR-80L is intended to engage light armoured vehicles, APCs, IFVs, trucks, mobile air defence systems, command posts, shelters, resistance points, river boats and other soft or lightly protected targets. The missile may be guided either by the launch platform or by an external laser designator operated by a forward observer, allowing engagement of targets beyond the direct line of sight of the launcher. The weapon supports both Lock On Before Launch (LOBL) and Lock On After Launch (LOAL) engagement modes and is capable of day and night operation. It is also capable of Man In The Loop (MITL) until impact. Its high accuracy and relatively small warhead were intended to reduce collateral damage.

The missile consists of three main sections: a semi active laser guidance section developed by Elbit Systems, a high explosive blast fragmentation (HEBF) warhead developed by Electromecanica Ploiești, and a propulsion and stabilisation section also produced by Electromecanica. Ground launch concepts included the ORCWS 12.7 remote weapon station and the PAAD (Platforma Deschisă de Lansare a Rachetelor AA cu Bătaie Apropiată) vehicle, while helicopter integration was demonstrated using a modified B-8V20A rocket launcher. While HEBF is the main warhead that is used, it can also use a HE and APHE warhead (probably just HEAT).

grafik

^ HEBF components

History:

Spoiler

Development of the PAAD (Platforma Autopropulsată pentru Apărare Apropiată) and its associated STAR-80L precision guided rocket began in 2006 as a privately funded joint programme between Electromecanica Ploiești (ROMARM) and Elbit Systems of Israel. The goal was to create a modular combat system capable of providing both close air defence and precision ground attack from a single platform. The PAAD was developed on the 4x4 TAB-C79 and was intended to carry STAR-80L laser guided rockets alongside either A-95M SAM or the A-94M MANPAD. Responsibilities were divided between the two companies, with Electromecanica designing the launch platform, rocket motor, warhead and overall systems integration, while Elbit supplied the semi active laser guidance technology, electro optical fire control equipment and weapon system integration.

grafik

Initial work during 2006 concentrated on systems engineering, ballistic studies and testing of the unguided PRND-80 rocket that would form the basis of the STAR-80L. The following year saw the development and evaluation of the guided missile, including static and wind tunnel testing of the guidance section. Work then expanded to include development of the high explosive blast fragmentation warhead and the PAAD’s electro optical targeting equipment, allowing the complete weapon system to mature in parallel.

grafik

By 2010, the programme had advanced to integrated subsystem testing and the development of tactical employment concepts for both the missile and the PAAD vehicle. Ground launch firing trials followed in 2011, validating the missile’s guidance system, launcher integration and fire control equipment. During 2012, the weapon system progressed to full integration, while in 2013 the first successful helicopter launch trials using a modified B-8V20A rocket pod were completed.

grafik

The PAAD was publicly presented at several Expomil exhibitions as the primary ground platform for the STAR-80L. The initial configuration, displayed at Expomil 2007, mounted STAR-80L rockets together with A-95M short range surface to air missiles.

grafik

An updated version unveiled at Expomil 2009 introduced redesigned launcher modules and replaced the A-95M with A-94M MANPADs.

grafik

Although both the PAAD and the STAR-80L successfully completed extensive testing and reached the pre production stage, neither entered operational service. According to the programme’s developers, the absence of an official Romanian military procurement requirement, combined with limited defence funding and difficult market conditions, prevented the system from progressing beyond the prototype phase despite successful demonstrations and live fire trials. The system has not been seen for a while, but the STAR-80L is still advertised on ROMARM’s brochures even to this day.

Armaments:

Spoiler

4x STAR-80L laser guided LOBL / LOAL / MITL multipurpose missile. 160mm pen and 3kg warhead weight if it uses “HEBF”. 400-420mm if it uses “APHE” because the STAR-80L uses the PRN-80 rocket as a base, which has that much pen due to its “hollow” (HEAT) warhead. The actual explosive weight (NOT warhead weight) of the PRN-80 (and therefore also the STAR-80L “APHE” aka HEAT variant) would be 0.9kg of OKFOL. An older PRN-80 brochure with higher amount of filler, pen and lower weight has been used as it matches the time the PAAD and STAR-80L were made, hence not the more “newer”, weaker one.

4x A-95M AAM

4x A-94M MANPAD

Due to the CA-95 having the capacity to carry 2 additional missiles outside of the vehicle, this can most likely too, if not more (due to the STAR-80L and especially the A-94M being smaller in dimensions compared to the A-95 which is carried on the CA-95)

TOPLITE (-II ?) sights (brochure used is for the TOPLITE on attack helicopters as it’s the oldest TOPLITE brochure I have regarding the PAAD time period, coming from around the early to mid 2000s)

grafik

Specifications:

Spoiler

There is no info about the PAAD and it’s weight, but it has plenty of similarities with the CA-95 that I will use the info for that instead. It has a length of 5.75m, a width of 2.35m and a height of 2.5m. It weights around 7 tons, although this is probably while empty. It is powered by a 140hp engine, giving it 20hp/t.

grafik