Astros II MLRS

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ASTROS-II Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)

ASTROS-II
Type Rocket artillery
Place of origin Flag of Brazil Brazil
Service history
In service Since 1983
Wars Gulf War
Production history
Manufacturer Avibrás
Number built at least 164
Specifications
Weight 10,000kg[1]
Length 7 m
Width 2.9 m
Height 2.6 m
Crew 3
Primary
armament		 Launcher Loader Module
Secondary
armament		 1 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun [3]
Engine Mercedes OM422 8-cylinder
280 hp[2]
Operational
range		 480Km
Speed 90 Km/h

ASTROS II (Artillery SaTuration ROcket System) is a self-propelled multiple rocket launcher produced in Brazil by the Avibrás company. It features modular design and employs rockets with calibers ranging from 127 mm to 300 mm. It was developed on the basis of an all-terrain 6x6 vehicle for enhanced mobility.

Contents

[edit] Overview

Astros II are normally grouped in artillery batteries consisting on average of about 13 vehicles: 6 of them are Astros II launchers, 6 are rocket resupply trucks and 1 a special radar-equipped vehicle controlling the fire-control system.[4]

Each rocket resupply truck carries up to two complete reloads.[5]

[edit] Service history

The ASTROS II artillery system entered service with the Brazilian Army in 1983.

In the 1980s, Avibrás sold an estimated sixty-six Astros II artillery systems to Iraq. Iraq also built the Sajil-60 which is a license-built version of the Brazilian SS-60. Sixty Astro II were sold to Saudi Arabia[6] and an unspecified number sold to Bahrain and Qatar. Total sales of the Astros II between 1982 and 1987 reached US$1 billion.[7] This fact made the Astros II multiple rocket launcher the most profitable weapon produced by Avibrás.[8]

In the 1980s and early 1990s, Avibrás worked almost exclusively with the manufacturing of rockets and multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS), such as the Astros II, in addition to developing antitank and antiship missiles. At its peak, Avibrás employed 6,000 people; later it would be reduced to 900 people in the early 1990s as the arms industry demand fell. Even so, in the first Gulf War in 1991, the Astros II was successfully used by Saudi Arabia against Iraq.[9] Years later, the Astros II system helped Angola to defeat the UNITA.

[edit] Variants

  • SS-30 - fires 127 mm rockets - Loads 32
  • SS-40 - fires 180 mm rockets - Loads 16
  • SS-60 - fires 300 mm rockets - Loads 4
  • SS-80 - fires 300 mm rockets - Loads 4

[edit] Specifications

ASTROS-II
ASTROS-II
  • Range in indirect fire mode[10] (first figure is minimum range):
    • SS-30: 9-30 km
    • SS-40: 15-35 km
    • SS-60: 20-60 km
    • SS-80: 22-90 km
  • Armour: classified. Probably light composite to give protection against small-arms fire.
  • Armament: one battery of 4, 16 or 32 rocket-launcher tubes
  • Performance:
    • fording 1.1 m
    • vertical obstacle 1 m
    • trench 2.29 m
  • Ammunition Types: High Explosives

[edit] Operators

Rocket is launched from an ASTROS-II
Rocket is launched from an ASTROS-II

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.areamilitar.net/DIRECTORIO/TER.aspx?nn=23&p=15
  2. ^ http://www.areamilitar.net/DIRECTORIO/TER.aspx?nn=23&p=15
  3. ^ http://www.areamilitar.net/DIRECTORIO/TER.aspx?nn=23&p=15
  4. ^ cyberpioneer - Weapon - Steel Rain - the Astros Rocket Launcher System (May 04)
  5. ^ cyberpioneer - Weapon - Steel Rain - the Astros Rocket Launcher System (May 04)
  6. ^ Military army ground forces equipment Saudi Arabian Army Forces Saudi Arabia Equipements militaires armée forces terrestres Arabie Saoudite
  7. ^ cyberpioneer - Weapon - Steel Rain - the Astros Rocket Launcher System (May 04)
  8. ^ Export Controls In Brazil
  9. ^ BBC News | BUSINESS | Cruise missiles 'Made in Brazil'
  10. ^ ASTROS (Artillery SaTuration ROcket System)
  11. ^ cyberpioneer - Weapon - Steel Rain - the Astros Rocket Launcher System (May 04)
  12. ^ Export Controls In Brazil
  13. ^ PORTAL MILITAR.COM.BR - Exército testa ogiva que dispersa até 65 granadas
  14. ^ Military army ground forces equipment Saudi Arabian Army Forces Saudi Arabia Equipements militaires armée forces terrestres Arabie Saoudite

[edit] External links