Astros II MLRS
Encyclopedia
ASTROS II 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 a Mercedes Benz UNIMOG
6x6 all-terrain vehicle for enhanced mobility.
-equipped vehicle controlling the fire-control system
. The launcher is capable of firing rockets of different calibres armed with a range of warheads.
Each rocket resupply truck carries up to two complete reloads.
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 Astros II were sold to Saudi Arabia
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.
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.
Years later, the Astros II system helped Angola
to defeat the UNITA
.
Angola
Bahrain
Brazil
20 Astros II Iraq
66 Astros II (also built under licence as the Sajil-60) Malaysia 36 Astros II Qatar
Saudi Arabia
76 Astros II
Multiple rocket launcher
A multiple rocket launcher is a type of unguided rocket artillery system. Like other rocket artillery, multiple rocket launchers are less accurate and have a much lower rate of fire than batteries of traditional artillery guns...
produced in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
by the Avibrás
Avibras
Avibras Indústria Aeroespacial is a diversified Brazilian company which designs, develops and manufactures defense products and services. Its range of products encompasses artillery and aircraft defense systems, rockets and missiles...
company. It features modular design and employs rockets with calibers ranging from 127 mm to 300 mm. It was developed on the basis of a Mercedes Benz UNIMOG
Unimog
Unimog is a range of multi-purpose auto four wheel drive medium trucks produced by Mercedes-Benz, a division of Daimler AG. The name Unimog is pronounced in German and is an acronym for the German "UNIversal-MOtor-Gerät", Gerät being the German word for machine or device...
6x6 all-terrain 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 radarRadar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
-equipped vehicle controlling the fire-control system
Fire-control system
A fire-control system is a number of components working together, usually a gun data computer, a director, and radar, which is designed to assist a weapon system in hitting its target. It performs the same task as a human gunner firing a weapon, but attempts to do so faster and more...
. The launcher is capable of firing rockets of different calibres armed with a range of warheads.
Each rocket resupply truck carries up to two complete reloads.
Service history
The ASTROS II artillery system entered service with the Brazilian Army in 1983. The system is battle proven, having been used in action by the Iraqi Army in the Gulf Wars.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 Astros II were sold to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
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.
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.
Years later, the Astros II system helped Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
to defeat the UNITA
UNITA
The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola is the second-largest political party in Angola. Founded in 1966, UNITA fought with the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola in the Angolan War for Independence and then against the MPLA in the ensuing civil war .The war was one...
.
New generation
The next step is an ambitious program, the Astros in 2020. "This is a new concept, backed by the knowledge already acquired", says Sami. Will require an estimated investment of R $ 1.2 billion, of which about US$210 million invested in development. "It will integrate with the cruise missile TM AV-300-km range, in the stage of testing and certification," explains Hassuani for whom "the venture will enable the Army in 2020, for example, integrate the Astros on defense antiaircraft gun, creating a way to use common platforms, trucks, parts of electronic sensors and command vehicles".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
- AV-300 MT - cruise missile with a range of 300 kilometers (under development)
Specifications
- Range in indirect fire mode (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
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
Brazil
Military of Brazil
The Brazilian Armed Forces is the unified military organization comprising the Brazilian Army , the Brazilian Navy and the Brazilian Air Force....
20 Astros II Iraq
Iraqi security forces
Iraqi security forces is a U.S. Department of Defense term for all security forces of the Federal government of Iraq. They consist of the following organizations:*Ministry of Defence **Iraqi Armed Forces:*** Iraqi Army*** Iraqi Air Force...
66 Astros II (also built under licence as the Sajil-60) Malaysia 36 Astros II Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
Saudi Arabia
Military of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's armed forces are mainly the responsibility of the Ministry of Defense and Aviation. The Ministry also has responsibility for the construction of civilian airports as well as military bases, and for Meteorology departments...
76 Astros II