RM-70 Multiple rocket launcher

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RM-70 Multiple barrel rocket launcher(MBRL)

General characteristics
Crew	6
Length	8.75 m
Width	2.5 m
Height	2.7 m
Weight	24 tonnes
Armour and armament
Armour	Steel
Main armament	122 mm (4.8-in)
Secondary armament	one machine gun type 59, four submachine guns type 58V, one portable anti-tank grenade launcher RPG-7
Mobility
Power plant	T813-12 19 L 310 hp multi-fuel engine
Suspension	Independent by swing axles
Road speed	75 km/h (47 mph)
Power/weight
Range	400 km (216 nm)

The RM-70 Multiple Launch Rocket System is a Czechoslovakian army version and the heavier variant of the BM-21 Grad Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), providing enhanced performance over its parent artillery system that was introduced in 1972.

1 Overview
- 1.1 Accessories
2 Operators
3 References

[edit] Overview

RM-70 was developed in Czechoslovakia achieving initial operational capability (IOC) with its Army in 1972. Originally, it was sold to East Germany. After the Soviet Union collapse and the split of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia was sold to several nations in Africa, America, Asia and Europe.

RM-70 replaced the Ural-375D 6x6 track by a Tatra 813 8x8 truck as carrier platform for the 40 rocket tubes launcher. The new carrier vehicle provides enough space for carrying 40 additional 122mm rockets pack for reload. Nevertheless, RM-70 performance remains near the same as Grad even in terms of vehicle's speed and range. This rocket launcher can fire both individual rounds and volleys, principally by means of indirect fire. It is designed for concentrated fire coverage of large areas (up to 3 hectares in one volley) by high explosive fragmentation shells. The fire is robust with almost 256 kg of explosives used in one volley of 40 rockets.

The vehicle is provided with a control device of the adjustment of the pressure of the tires (to allow its adaptation to the nature of the traversed ground) and, if necessary, with a blade bulldozer BZT intended to arrange the position of battery or to release the obstacles.

In December 2000 Slovak Ministry of Defense and Dhiel BGT Defence started RM-70 Modular German-Slovak modernization project. RM-70 Modular allows this artillery system to launch both 122 mm and 227 mm rockets used on the M270 MLRS. This way the system turned into fully NATO interoperable. Slovak Republic signed for 26 upgraded artillery systems with the first one delivered on May 20, 2005. RM-70 Modular is being offered as an upgrade for RM-70 owners.

The Block rocket launcher is consisted of four horizontal lines of 10 tubes, which are placed at the rear of the frame of the truck. An arch surrounds the tubes. The back is covered by a plate which can swivel allowing the loading of the rockets.

The Support rocket launcher is consisted of a rectangular block placed at the rear of the frame. The whole of the rockets is assembled on a platform which is placed back until height of the arch which surrounds the tubes rocket launcher. A reserve of forty rockets is place with the back of the cabin, as for the launchers, four lines of 10 tubes.

The Cabin truck is of rectangular, and entirely armored form. With the front one, one finds two trap doors armored of form rectangular, which open upwards. In the bottom of the cabin, a blade bulldozer in front of the frame is placed. On each side, one finds a door of access armored, with a small window in the top, with an amour-plate opening on the side. A walk foot is installed in the bottom of the door, with horizontal scratches just with the top.

The Frame consists of 8 tires, which are grouped by four, with a trunk of arrangement like separation. Small trunks of arrangement are placed below the reserve of the rockets