Taekchŏn T512

The base chassis of the T512. In service its rear section would usually be covered by a flatbed, cabin, or missile launch module.

The Taekchŏn T512 is a Menghean 8x8 heavy utility truck family developed by Taekchŏn Heavy Industries. It is widely used by the Menghean Army, primarily as a transporter erector launcher platform for cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, surface-to-air missiles, artillery rockets, and other heavy weapons.

Development

Front view of the T512, showing its revised cabin cover. The engine is still located between the driver and right passenger.

The T512 is the successor to the T500, a copy of the Letnian MAZ-7310. The Taekchŏn State Automobile Plant acquired the production license in 1978 and built a number of T500s during the late 1970s and early 1980s, some of them supporting Menghean ballistic missiles.

Pre-1988 T500s were found to be unreliable, and after the Decembrist Revolution the Ministry of National Defense began looking for a replacement. The resulting successor design, designated T512, incorporated an all-new engine built with Ostish and Glasic licensed components, resulting in increased power, reliability, and fuel efficiency. The cabin was redesigned to its modern, square-front format, though the placement of the engine is identical across both versions, occupying the center of the cab under a protective firewall hood.

Production

The T512 is manufactured by Taekchŏn Heavy Industries, formerly the Taekchŏn State Automobile Plant. Once held afloat by political connections and state contracts, Taekchŏn struggled to market civilian trucks on the reform-era market, and it suffered enormous financial losses during the 1999 Menghean financial crisis. In a move to discipline irresponsible borrowing by Jachi-hoesa, the Ministry of National Economic Development refused to deliver a bailout, forcing Taekchŏn to declare bankruptcy.

Under an MoND agreement to preserve the supply chain, the Samsan Group acquired Taekchŏn's military logistics division, as well as the licenses for foreign parts used in the T512 and other utility vehicles. Thus the T512 still bears Taekchŏn's name and is still manufactured with the circle-ㅌ insignia on its grille, but its ultimate owner is Samsan.

The T512 assembly line remains at its original location in the city of Taekchŏn, for which the Taekchŏn State Automobile Plant was named. A mid-size city of 1.9 million people, Taekchŏn is located on the west side of Lake Jijunghae, and its economy still relies heavily on manufacturing.

Common variants

T512

Original variant with eight axles and an empty rear chassis.

T5121

Variant with hydraulic jacks between axles 1&2 and 3&4.

T5122

Variant used in semi-trailer roles. Axles 3&4 are moved closer together, and the center of the chassis is shortened. The same base powerplant is installed.

T5123

Extended 10x10 variant. The new axle is located behind the fourth axle of the original variant, and the chassis is slightly extended.

Technical characteristics (T512)

T512 wheel with hubcap removed, showing planetary gear torque reduction system.

• Crew capacity: 4 (driver + 3 passengers) in base cabin
• Weight of base chassis: 20,000 kg
• Loading capacity (on bed): 24,000 kg
• Loading capacity (on trailer): 30,000 kg
• Overall dimensions:

• Length: 11.41 m
• Width: 2.97 m
• Height: 2.68 m to cabin roof

• Maximum speed: 75 km/h
• Engine: WY-0400 V-12 diesel

• Working volume: 40 L
• Maximum power: 540 hp

• Road range: 650 km
• Ground clearance: 40 cm
• Vertical obstacle: 50 cm
• Trench crossing: 2.5 m
• Fording depth: 1.2 m
• Turning radius: 13.5 meters
• Gradient: 60% (unloaded)
• Side slope: 30% (unloaded)
• Fuel consumption: 1.1 L/km

Example platforms

• JHB-40/8
• JHB-23/16
• JTY-8