Waran 4x4 (ZSMU-30)

PiekarzV2 · August 1, 2026, 11:21pm

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WARAN 4x4 with ZSMU-30

HISTORY

The foundational vehicle was established through a joint initiative between Huta Stalowa Wola S.A. (HSW) and the Czech defense company Tatra Export. The WARAN was developed as a universal tactical 4x4 platform for the Polish Armed Forces, built on the proven Tatra 815-7 chassis featuring its central tubular backbone frame, independent swinging half-axles, and a 408 PS air-cooled Tatra V8 engine. Over time, it was fielded across various specialized roles, including command and reconnaissance posts for artillery units like the WR-40 Langusta, mobile launch and command vehicles for the GLADIUS drone system.

In 2020, the Polish Ministry of National Defence sought a modernizing solution for its fleet of around 500 aging BWP-1. In response, HSW initiated a project originally designated as the LZSSW (Lekki Zdalnie Sterowany System Wieżowy, or Lightweight Remote Controlled Turret System). Drawing on experience gained while developing the heavier ZSSW-30 turret for the Borsuk IFV and Rosomak 8x8, HSW and WB Electronics formed an industrial consortium on September 1, 2021, with PCO S.A. joining in February 2025 to supply advanced optoelectronic fire-control systems.

LZSSW-30 design from 2020 and design shown in 2024

The initial LZSSW design was strictly constrained by a target mass of under 1,800 kg to preserve the amphibious capabilities and mobility of BWP-1 hulls. The turret featured an external weapons layout, externally mounted armored ammunition boxes, and a completely non-penetrating base requiring no internal turret basket, allowing control consoles to be positioned flexibly inside the host vehicle.

However, the program’s focus changed dramatically following the outbreak of full-scale war in Ukraine. Poland transferred a substantial portion of its active BWP-1 fleet to the Ukrainian Armed Forces as military aid. With significantly fewer vehicles remaining for upgrade and deep retrofits evaluated as economically inefficient, HSW pivoted the LZSSW project away from being solely a BWP-1 upgrade. Instead, the team refocused on creating a highly adaptable, light remote turret intended for international export and integration onto various wheeled or tracked platforms.

Between 2020 and 2024, the turret underwent extensive structural redesigns. The overall layout was reconfigured by relocating the machine gun feed and anti-tank guided missile launcher from the left to the right side of the mount, while the main autocannon ammunition containers and optoelectronic sighting heads were rearranged. By leveraging newer, lighter components and simplifying drive mechanisms, engineers succeeded in trimming the turret’s profile and reducing the overall combat weight of the single-launcher, single-sight configuration to under 1,500 kg.

System integration of the completed prototype took place, and by the summer of 2025, HSW finalized assembly and mounted the module on a WARAN 4x4 to prove that a heavy 30 mm autocannon with an ATGM launcher could be successfully operated on light 4x4 platforms with high centers of gravity.

Closer look at the turret

The integrated turret made its official public debut at the MSPO 2025 in Kielce under the designation ZSMU-30. The unveiled system featured a 30mm Bushmaster Mk.44S dual-feed cannon, a 7,62 mm UKM-2000C machine gun, a launcher for Spike-LR series ATGMs, and a digital GOC-1 NIKE optoelectronic sight from PCO S.A. For the exhibition, the platform was also integrated with a counter-drone (C-UAS) detection radars provided by Hertz Systems.

In February 2026, the WARAN 4x4 with the ZSMU-30 module participated in live-firing trials at the Military Institute of Armament Technology (WITU) training grounds and was presented internationally at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris as part of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) joint display.

CHARACTERISTICS

ARMAMENT

30mm Bushmaster Mk.44S

Elevation: -12°/+65°

Two-plane stabilizer

Fire rate: 200 rds/m

Ammo capacity: 200 rds ready racked

4x2 81mm smoke grenades

Ammo:

APFSDS (NM 225) (already in game)

FAPDS-T (domestic)

Projectile weight: 235 g

Cartridge weight: 750 g

Muzzle velocity: 1385 m/s

Charge weigth: ~172 g (2654,32 gr)

Dispersion: ≤ 0.4 mils at 1 000 m

Penetration: 30 mm RHA 60° NATO at 1000 m

MP-T/SD (NM 222)

Projectile weight: 363 g

Cartridge weight: 835 g

Muzzle velocity: 1 070 m/s

Charge weight: ~148 g (2283,95 gr)

Maximum dispersion: < 0.4 mils at 1 000 m

Penetration: 10 mm RHA 60° NATO at 1000 m

Tracer: ≥ 4.6 s

Self-destruction: Yes

7,62 mm UKM-2000C

Ammo capacity: 400 rds ready racked

Rate of fire: 700-900 rpm

Velocity: 850 m/s

Range 1500 m

Length: 1058 mm

Barrel length: 521 mm

Spike LR launcher

IMG-20260615-WA0001-1024x5771024×577 75.4 KB

Ammo capacity: 1 ready to use

MOBILITY

Crew (2): Driver, Commander/Gunner

Engine: Tatra T3C-928-90

power: 300 kW / ≈408 PS @ 2500 rpm

Transmission: Allison 4500SP

Gears: 6 forward, 1 reverse

Max speed: 110 km/h

Combat weight: ~14 500 kg

ARMOR

STANAG 4569 Hull protection:

allround: Level II

OPTICS, ELECTRONICS

Gunner optic: GOC-1 NIKE

Angular guidance speed: 1 rad/s (≈57.3 deg/s)

Two-plane stabilizer

Thermal camera

3-rd generation

Wide FOV: 10°
Narrow FOV: 3.1°

Day camera

Wide FOV: 10.7°
Narrow FOV: 3.3°

Video tracker

Laser rangefinder

Laser warning system: Normal/Modified OBRA-3
wrn1200×803 227 KB

Days before MSPO, Waran is equipped with normal ones marked with yellow
In upper corner is modified Obra-3 version shown during MSPO

(Modified version) Detection angular range in vertical plane: -6°/+?°

(Normal version) Detection angular range in vertical plane: -6°/+30°

Detection angular range in horizontal plane: 360°

Dange of detected radiation: 0.6 μm – 11 μm.

4 x HAWK C-UAS radar
il20250926_940161003_xlarge1090×853 102 KB

No data available

DIMENSIONS

Overall length: 6250 mm
Overall width: 2550 mm
Height with turret: ? mm

Summarized characteristics

Crew (2)
- Driver, gunner/commander
30mm Bushmaster Mk.44S
- Ammo: APFSDS, FAPDS-T, MP-T/SD
- Elevation: -12°/+65°
- Two-plane stabilizer
- Fire rate: 200 rds/m
7,62 mm UKM-2000C
Gunner sight
- 3rd Gen thermals
Laser Rangefinder
Video tracker
4x2 81mm smokes
Combat weight: ~14.5 t
Engine: Tatra T3C-928-90 300 kW / ≈408 PS
- Max speed: 110 km/h
Length 6,25 m Width: 2,55 m Height: ? m