M-63 Plamen

Infobox Weapon
name=M-63 Plamen


caption= M-63 Plamen of SLF
origin=YUG
type=Self-propelled multiple rocket launcher
is_vehicle=no
crew=7
primary_armament=128mm x 32

The M-63 "Plamen" (M-63 "Plamen"/М-63 "Пламен") is the first Yugoslav made multiple rocket launcher. Development of this system started in 1958, and it was finished in 1963 when Yugoslav Peoples Army ordered prototype of M-63 "Plamen" multiple rocket launchers and first set of "Plamen-A" rockets. Later the "Plamen-B" rocket with new, more destructive warhead was developed, and "Plamen-S" rocket with greater range.

MRL M-63 "Plamen" main purpose is support of front-line units, with strong and sudden attacks on enemy forces. It can be also used against enemy structures such as encampments, airfields, industrial facilities, command centers, communication centers, storehouses, etc.

The M-63 Plamen consists of 32 Ø128mm tubes, which are firing partly-destructive and training rockets in range 8600m (12625m - "Plamen-S" rocket). The effect of rocket on target is equivalent to the effect of 105mm artillery shell. All 32 rockets can be fired in 6.4, 12.5 or 19.2 seconds. The launcher is mounted on a single axle trailer which can be towed by vehicle with 800mm high tow hitch. The towing vehicle is carrying reserve rockets, so the battle complement is 64 missiles. The system is served by 7 soldiers.

This system was used en mass during the Yugoslav wars.

Variants

Yugoslavia

*M-63 "Plamen" - Original towed 32 pipe 128mm multiple rocket launcher.
*M-71 "Partizan" - Man portable single pipe 128mm rocket launcher, used by infantry.
*M-94 "Plamen-S" - Self-propelled multiple rocket launcher intended for impact, sudden and quick fire assaults against personnel and non-armoured vehicles. It appeared as a result of merging of the launching device and towing vehicle for the M-63 128 mm MRL system by adding some newly designed assemblies. The "Plamen-S" fires two types of missiles: the M-63 "Plamen-A" (with a range of 8600m) and the M-87 "Plamen-D" (with a range 12625m). The launcher is mounted on the TAM-150 T11 BV 6x6 military truck.
*M-63 "Plamen-R" - The 128mm MRL with eight pipes mounted on the UAZ-469 army jeep. Only a prototype version made.

Croatia

*RAK-12 - Croatian made towed multiple rocket launcher with twelve 128mm pipes. The launcher fires two types of rockets: M 91 (range 8500m) and M 93 (range 1300m). Croatian amry is operateing 8 RAK-12 MRLs with some 60 held in reserve.
*LOV RAK-24 - Self-propelled multiple rocket launcher with twenty-four 128mm pipes. The MRL is mounted on Croatian made light armored personnel carrier LOV.

Operators

*SRB - 18 M-94 Plamen-S (some 80 Plamen-B towed MLRS in reserve) [ [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/serbia/army.htm Ground Forces - Serbia ] ]
*CRO - ?
*flag|Republic of Macedonia - 12 (in reserve)
*SLO - 4 (in reserve)
*flag|Cyprus - 24
*GEO - 12

Former operators

*BIH
*FR-YUG
*YUG

References

See also

* M-77 Oganj 128 mm multiple rocket launcher
* M-87 Orkan 262 mm multiple rocket launcher

External links

*http://naoruzanje.paracin.co.yu/plamen.html