MAZ-7310

The MAZ-543/MAZ-7310 "Uragan" (МАЗ-543/МАЗ-7310 "Ураган"/Hurricane) is a Soviet/Belarusian 8x8 artillery truck designed and developed by MAZ (Minsk Automobile Plant), in what is now Belarus. Designed in the 1960s, the MAZ-543 was presented on November 7, 1965 during the Moscow Red Square military parade as part of SS-1с Scud B (9K72 Elbrus) system. It is powered by a 38.9 litre D12A-525 diesel engine producing around 525 horsepower, and gives a maximum road speed of 37 mph (59.5 km/h).

The MAZ-543P (carrying capacity - 19600 kg) was used for 9K76 Temp-S system.

In 1967 another modification, the MAZ-543A, arrived (with extra carrying capacity up to 22000 kg). It served as the basis for several civilian vehicles, including the 9K58 Smerch, the AA-60(543)-160 aerodrome fire-fighting vehicle (1973), the AA-70(543)-172 experimental emergency vehicle, and the KS-5571 crane.

In 1974 at the Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy, a new prototype modification (MAZ-7310) was presented. It has been in production since 1976.

MAZ-7310 could operate together with 4WD MAZ-8385 as a road-train (total length - 205.5 m). It was used in Siberia for oil surveying, and also as a tractor on military airbases. It completely replaced the previous 543 model, including a dump-truck MAZ-7510, aerodrome fire-fighting vehicle AA-60(7310)-160.01 (1978) and the crane KS-5573 (1981).

In January 1983 the carrying capacity was increased by 1 more ton with the same dead weight (MAZ-7313 model). In particular this model was used to transport boring rigs, lifting cranes KS-5576 and KS-6571, and aerodrome fire-fighting vehicles AA-60(7313)-160.01 and AA-60(7313)-220.

In 1986, People's Republic of China fielded its version of MAZ-543. Initially designated WS580 but later renamed  WS2400, this Chinese version is one of the Wanshan series trucks manufactured by Wanshan Special Vehicle (湖北三江航天万山特种车辆有限公司)], a wholly owned subsidiary of China Aerospace Sanjiang Space Co. Ltd (中国航天三江集团), which is in turn a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC). The advantage of the Chinese vehicle is that it utilizes a German diesel engine, transmission and hydraulics manufactured by Wanshan in China, built using technologies transferred from ZF Friedrichshafen.