Bosvark
Contents
Description
The Bosvark is a self-propelled anti-aircraft (SPAA) vehicle named after the African Bushpig, which is armed with powerful tusks for digging up roots and defending itself against predators. The South African Defence Force (SADF) seized considerable amounts of 23 mm ZU-23-2 twin-barrelled autocannons from the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) during the South African Border War, which lasted from 1966 to 1989. The MPLA had obtained these from Cuban and Soviet benefactors. The SADF employed these weapons for a variety of purposes, including base defence, makeshift weapons platforms, and training. Early in 1990, the Armaments Corporation of South Africa (ARMSCOR) issued a request for proposals based on end-user specifications established by the SADF to mount the captured 23 mm ZU-23-2 twin-barrelled autocannons (also known as GA-6 in the SADF) on a vehicle. The vehicle had to be mine-resistant, according to the key development criteria. The SAMIL 100 Kwêvol transport vehicle was chosen as it met the specifications for an armoured crew compartment, a mine-protected chassis, and a large rear deck on which to put the weapon platform.
Introduced in Update "Fire and Ice", the Bosvark is fast and manoeuvrable, players can easily set up ambushes by hiding near buildings and waiting for unsuspecting enemy aircraft to fly low, making them an easy target. It is, however, larger than other SPAA vehicles, and many of its personnel are unprotected. As a result, it is critical to always remain hidden and unnoticed. A quick burst of fire from the 23 mm ZU-23-2 twin-barrelled autocannons can readily bring down any aircraft during battles. However, as the ammunition is limited and the reload time is long, it is crucial not to fire for an extended period. Finally, do not engage enemy ground forces. Despite having access to armour-piercing ammunition belts, the armour penetration capability is insufficient to deal with the vast majority of targets encountered during fights.
General info
Survivability and armour
Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.
Armour type:
| Armour | Front (Slope angle) | Sides | Rear | Roof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hull | ___ mm | ___ mm Top ___ mm Bottom |
___ mm | ___ - ___ mm |
| Turret | ___ - ___ mm Turret front ___ mm Gun mantlet |
___ - ___ mm | ___ - ___ mm | ___ - ___ mm |
| Cupola | ___ mm | ___ mm | ___ mm | ___ mm |
Notes:
Mobility
| Game Mode | Max Speed (km/h) | Weight (tons) | Engine power (horsepower) | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward | Reverse | Stock | Upgraded | Stock | Upgraded | ||
| Arcade | 109 | 9 | 19.5 | 447 | 601 | 22.92 | 30.82 |
| Realistic | 101 | 9 | 279 | 315 | 14.31 | 16.15 | |
Modifications and economy
| Mobility | Protection | Firepower | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Armaments
Main armament
| 23 mm ZU-23 (x2) | Turret rotation speed (°/s) | Reloading rate (seconds) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mode | Capacity (Belt) | Fire rate | Vertical | Horizontal | Stabilizer | Stock | Upgraded | Full | Expert | Aced | Stock | Full | Expert | Aced |
| Arcade | 700 (50) | 800 | -10°/+90° | ±180° | - | 52.8 | 73.1 | 88.8 | 98.2 | 104.5 | 13.00 | 11.50 | 10.60 | 10.00 |
| Realistic | 35.7 | 42.0 | 51.0 | 56.4 | 60.0 | |||||||||
Ammunition
- Default: API-T · HEF-I
- HEFI-T: HEF-I · HEFI-T · HEF-I · API-T
- APIT: API-T · API-T · API-T · HEFI-T
| Penetration statistics | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | ||||||
| 10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1,000 m | 1,500 m | 2,000 m | ||
| HEF-I | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | |
| API-T | 51 | 48 | 36 | 26 | 18 | 13 | |
| HEFI-T | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | |
| Shell details | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g) |
Ricochet | ||||||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||||
| HEF-I | 980 | 0.18 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 28.49 | 79° | 80° | 81° | ||||
| API-T | 970 | 0.19 | - | - | - | 47° | 60° | 65° | ||||
| HEFI-T | 970 | 0.19 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 20.02 | 79° | 80° | 81° | ||||
Ammo racks
| Full ammo |
1st rack empty |
2nd rack empty |
3rd rack empty |
4th rack empty |
5th rack empty |
6th rack empty |
Visual discrepancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ |
Usage in battles
Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Fast vehicle, capable to relocate as needed thanks to superior top speed
- Powerful fast firing 23 mm cannons; small bursts are often enough
- Numerous crew members; may survive longer
Cons:
- Large vehicle; difficult to conceal and manoeuvre in enclosed areas due to large turning radius
- Lightly armoured; explosives, machine guns, rockets and cannons are a threat
- Cannon depletes magazine capacity quickly (50 rounds per gun); precision and restraint are needed
- Wheeled configuration provides poor off-road mobility, speed will not be any advantage
History
Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).
Media
- Skins
See also
Vehicles of similar configuration and role:
Vehicles with similar weapon systems:
External links
| Britain anti-aircraft vehicles | |
|---|---|
| Crusader AA | Crusader AA Mk I · Crusader AA Mk II |
| Wheeled | Staghound AA · AEC AA |
| Radar SPAAG | Chieftain Marksman |
| Missile SPAA | Stormer AD · Stormer HVM |
| Other | Light AA Mk I · Falcon |
| Canada | Skink · ADATS (M113) |
| South Africa | Ystervark · Bosvark · ZA-35 |
