TAM VCA

TAM VCA
300px TAM VCA in Buenos Aires
Type	Self-propelled artillery
Place of origin	Argentina
Specifications
Weight	40 tons
Crew	5
Caliber	155 mm (6.1 in)
Main armament	Oto Melara "Palmaria" L41 155 mm (6.1 in)
Secondary armament	7.62 mm (0.3 in) mg
Engine	MTU 720 CV
Suspension	torsion bar
Speed	60 km/h (37 mph)

The TAM VCA (Vehículo de combate de Artillería, Artillery Combat Vehicle) is a self-propelled 155mm gun/howitzer, manufactured by TAMSE (Tanque Argentino Mediano Sociedad del Estado).

Description

It uses a TAP chassis (Tanque Argentino Pesado, Argentine Heavy Tank), an abandoned project derived from the TAM (Tanque Argentino Mediano, Argentine Medium Tank). It weighs 40 tons, and has 7 rolling wheels.

It has a 155-mm howitzer "Palmaria" turret of Italian origin. It has a vehicular communications equipment SEM 180 and 193, which allows voice communication (within and outside the vehicle), but also operates in digital form.

In total, 17 units were built.

Use

In conjunction with the VCCDT (Vehiculo de Combate Centro de Direccion de Tiro - Combat Vehicle, Fire Control Centre) it makes up a modern system of artillery weapons. It also operates an integrated system for artillery fire campaign called "TRUENO", which enables it to direct artillery fire in an automated mode.

Self-propelled artillery piece VCA Palmaria 155mm, during the exhibition of the Argentine Army in May 2008.

See also

• List of main battle tanks by country
• TAM (tank)