Astros II MLRS

Infobox Weapon
name= ASTROS-II Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)


caption= ASTROS-II
origin=flagcountry|Brazil
type= Rocket artillery
is_ranged= yes
is_bladed=
is_explosive=
is_artillery=
is_vehicle= yes
is_UK=
service= Since 1983
wars= Gulf War
designer=
design_date=
manufacturer= Avibrás
production_date=
number= at least 164
variants=
weight= 10,000 kg
(22,046 lbs) [http://www.areamilitar.net/DIRECTORIO/TER.aspx?nn=23&p=15 ASTROS-II - Avibrás / Brasil ] ]
length= 7 m (23 ft)
part_length=
width= 2.9 m (9.51 ft)
height= 2.6 m (8.53 ft)
crew= 3
cartridge=
caliber=
action=
rate=
velocity=
range=
max_range=
feed=
sights=
breech=
recoil=
carriage=
elevation=
traverse=
blade_type=
hilt_type=
sheath_type=
head_type=
haft_type=
diameter=
filling=
filling_weight=
detonation=
yield=
armour=
primary_armament= Launcher Loader Module
secondary_armament= 1 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun
engine= Mercedes OM422 8-cylinder
engine_power= 280 hp (209 kW)
pw_ratio=
suspension=
vehicle_range= 480 km (298 mi)
speed= 90 Km/h (56 mph)

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.

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. [http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/publications/cyberpioneer/weapon/2004/may04_weapon.html cyberpioneer - Weapon - Steel Rain - the Astros Rocket Launcher System (May 04) ] ]

Each rocket resupply truck carries up to two complete reloads.

ervice 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 [http://www.armyrecognition.com/moyen_orient/Saudi_Arabia/Index_Saudi_Arabia_army_ground_foces_military_equipment.htm Military army ground forces equipment Saudi Arabian Army Forces Saudi Arabia Equipements militaires armée forces terrestres Arabie Saoudite ] ] and an unspecified number sold to Bahrain and Qatar. Total sales of the Astros II between 1982 and 1987 reached US$1 billion. This fact made the Astros II multiple rocket launcher the most profitable weapon produced by Avibrás. [http://www.uga.edu/cits/documents/pdf/BrazilXC.pdf Export Controls In Brazil ] ]

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. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1525374.stm BBC News | BUSINESS | Cruise missiles 'Made in Brazil' ] ] Years later, the Astros II system helped Angola to defeat the UNITA.

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

Specifications

*Range in indirect fire mode [ [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/astros.htm ASTROS (Artillery SaTuration ROcket System) ] ] (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

Operators

* Bahrain
* Brazil 20 Astros II
* Iraq 66 Astros II (also built under licence as the "Sajil-60")
* Malaysia 18 Astros II [ [http://www.militar.com.br/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=54 PORTAL MILITAR.COM.BR - Exército testa ogiva que dispersa até 65 granadas ] ]
* Qatar
* Saudi Arabia 60 Astros II

References

External links

* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/astros.htm FAS Military Analysis Network]