Jiefang CA-30

Jiefang CA30
Jiefang CA-30 trucks in service of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards of North Korea
Type	2 1+1⁄2 ton 6x6 cargo truck
Place of origin	China
Service history
In service	From 1964
Production history
Manufacturer	FAW Jiefang aka JIEFANG
Produced	1964–1986
Specifications
Mass	11,770 lb (5,340 kg)
Length	263 in (6.68 m)
Width	91 in (2.31 m)
Height	108 in (2.74 m)
Engine	Jiefang 120 336 cu in (5.5 L) gas I6 95 hp (71 kW)
Suspension	Wheel 6x6
Maximum speed	40 mph (64 km/h)

The Jiefang CA-30 is a military truck used widely by the Chinese People's Liberation Army. It is a licensed-produced Soviet ZIL-157 6x6 army truck, and looks similar to original, except that it has square fenders rather than round fenders as on the Soviet-produced ZIL-157.

History

Throughout the 1950s, the Soviet Army helped China to build up their heavy industries. As part of this plan, China established the First Automotive Works (FAW) in Changchun Northern China. Soon after, in July 1956, they introduced the Jiefang CA-10 4x2 army truck, a copy of the Russian ZIS-150. In 1964 the first 6X6 CA-30 lorries for the People's Republic of China army were introduced and made by the then called FAW Jiefang company.

The FAW Jiefang CA-30 (its full name), like the Russian ZIL-157, had excellent cross-country capabilities and was available in a variety of configurations, such as cargo transport or tractor-trailer. Both the CA-10 and CA-30 were used extensively by the People's Liberation Army up until the 1990s, when they were largely phased out of service. Today, few remain in private hands. Later they specialized in off-road dump trucks and construction vehicles, most of these inspired by other Soviet designs. Iveco of Italy have since acquired the Jiefang Motor Vehicle Company. The manufacturer has since changed its name, now called FAW First Auto Works this company active since 1956.

In 1973 the firm designed and produced an all new 60 tonfi (empty) original dump truck model called the Jiefang CA-390; much of it was inspired by former large Russian dump trucks such as the largest BELAZ and MOAZ models of the 1970s. The then large Jiefang CA-390 was powered with a Chinese Chingfa C2956 V12 720 PS (530 kW) diesel engine that produced enough power to match several other similar dump trucks at that time. Its production was targeted as a quarry and mine vehicle, these are designed to carry 105 tonnes of material. Its use was widespread in China during the 1970s and 1980s. This was also the biggest original road vehicle ever made in China at the time. Production ended some time in the late 1970s; some were still in use in the mid-2010s.

Later FAW JMC or also known as Jiefang Motor Company also manufactured under licence from the Mitsubishi Motors of Japan, the former original Japanese Mitsubishi Fuso F-Series heavy lorry 1980s-1990s model range with some minor changes but powered by modern Chinese made running gear & mechanicals for the Asian/Oriental market and it is now one of China's most important and successful heavy vehicle manufacturers and JMC has cooperated and worked closely with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries or MHI of Japan ever since.

Specifications

Seating (cab): 1+2

Configuration: 6X6

Weight (empty): 12,015.19 lb/5,450 kg

Maximum Load: 9,920.8 lb/4,500 kg (on road), 5,511.56 lb/2,500 kg (cross-country)

Length: 21.93 ft/6.684 m

Width: 7.595 ft/2.315 m

Height: 7.74 ft/2.36 m

Wheel Base: N/A

Track (front/rear): N/A

Ground Clearance: N/A

Top Speed (road): 40.39 mph/65 km/h

Operators

Current Operators

• North Korea
• Vietnam
• Bangladesh

Former Operators

• China
• Democratic Kampuchea

References

• Ware, Pat (2010). The World Encyclopedia of Military Vehicles. Lorenz Books. p. 111. ISBN 978-0-7548-2052-9.