WS2500
{{Infobox weapon
| name = WS2500
| image = DF-16 Ballistic Missile 20170919.jpg
| image_size = 300
| caption = WS2500 with DF-16
| origin = China
| type = 10×10 heavy strategic truck/transporter erector launcher
| is_vehicle = yes
| service =
|title=
| used_by = PLA Rocket Force
| wars =
| designer = Wanshan Special Vehicle
| design_date =
| manufacturer = Wanshan Special Vehicle
| unit_cost =
| production_date =
| number =
| variants =
| spec_label =
| weight = 20 t (empty)
| length = 15.5 m
| part_length =
| width = 3.05 m
| height = 2.97 m
| diameter =
| crew = 1+7
| armour =
| primary_armament =
| secondary_armament =
| engine = Deutz diesel
| engine_power = {{convert|517|hp|abbr=on}}
| pw_ratio =
| transmission =
| payload_capacity = 23-25 tons
| suspension =
| clearance =
| fuel_capacity =
| vehicle_range = {{convert|650|km|0|abbr=on}} loaded
| speed = {{convert|75|kph|0|abbr=on}}
| guidance =
| steering =
}}
The WS2500 is a 20-ton 10x10 special heavy-duty truck used by the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China. It is one of the principal mobility platforms in mounting China's medium-range ballistic missiles and other conventional missile assets.
It is a general-purpose heavy-duty truck/transported developed from the original WS2400 and is built by Wanshan Special Vehicle.
Description
As a more developed variant of the WS2400, the WS2500 was introduced in 2000 {{Cite web |url=http://www.military-today.com/trucks/wanshan_ws2400.htm |title=Wanshan WS2400 - Special wheeled chassis |date= |access-date=2022-08-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010165433if_/https://www.militarytoday.com/trucks/wanshan_ws2400.htm |archive-date=2023-10-10 |url-status=usurped}} and is capable of mounting more advance and sophisticated MRBMs such as the DF-16s, rather than the much older DF-11 SRBM system. Due to the much larger missile payload - 1,000–1,500 kg more than previous models - the WS2500 is generally much larger and heavier than the older WS2400, in order to better accommodate a stable platform for the DF-16.
On the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, a heavily modified variant of the WS2500 was seen carrying the DF-17 ballistic missile, armed with the DF-ZF Hypersonic Glide Vehicle.{{Cite web |url=http://www.military-today.com/missiles/df_17.htm |title=DF-17 - Ballistic missile with a hypersonic glide vehicle |date= |access-date=2022-08-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010153524if_/https://www.militarytoday.com/missiles/df_17.htm |archive-date=2023-10-10 |url-status=usurped}}
The much larger WS2600 carries the larger DF-21C MRBMs.
{{commonscat|WS2500}}
Variants
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
- [http://www.sinodefence.com/army/transport/ws2400.asp WS2400 Truck]
Category:Military trucks of China
Category:Military vehicles of Pakistan
Category:Military vehicles of the People's Republic of China
Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 2000s
{{Chinese Missiles}}