ASTROS III SS-60 on 8x8 chassis |
Country of origin |
Brazil |
Entered service |
- |
Crew |
3 ~ 4 men |
Dimensions and weight |
Weight |
~ 35 t |
Length |
? |
Width |
? |
Height |
? |
Armament |
Caliber |
300 mm |
Number of tubes |
12 |
Rocket weight |
? |
Warhead weight |
? |
Firing range |
20 - 60 km |
Full salvo duration |
? |
Reloading time |
? |
Mobility |
Engine |
diesel |
Engine power |
640 hp |
Maximum road speed |
80 ~ 90 km/h |
Range |
~ 800 km |
Maneuverability |
Gradient |
60% |
Side slope |
30% |
Vertical step |
~ 0.6 m |
Trench |
~ 2 m |
Fording |
~ 1.2 m |
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The ASTROS
III or Artillery SaTuration ROcket System is currently under development by Brazilian Avibras.
This artillery rocket system is also referred as ASTROS 2020. It is a
further development of commercially successful
ASTROS II. The ASTROS III is a more capable new generation
design, developed mainly for export market.
The common
ASTROS III launcher can take a number of rocket pods with various
rockets. It fires five types of rockets and two types of guided
missiles.
- SS-30
127 mm rockets with a maximum range of 30 km, 84 rockets carried;
- SS-40
180 mm rockets with a maximum range of 35 km, 40 rockets carried;
- SS-60
300 mm rockets with a maximum range of 60 km, 12 rockets carried;
- SS-80
300 mm extended-range rockets with a maximum range of 90 km, 12
rockets carried;
- SS-150
newly developed rockets with a claimed maximum range of 150 km. Four
of them are carried;
- FOG-MPM or
Fiber Optic Guided Multi-Purpose Missile. It is anti-tank and
anti-helicopter missile, developed since the mid-1980s. The FOG-MPM
can also engage slower mowing air targets. This missile is 1.8
m long and has a launch weight of about 40 kg. Missile diameter is
0.18 m. Its reported maximum range is 20-40 km. The ASTROS III
carries 40 of these missiles;
- AV/MT (AVibras Missil Tactico)
or Matador tactical missile is still under development.
This cruise missile has a greater range and better accuracy than current
rockets. Its claimed range is 300 km and it can be fitted with a
variety of warheads. Four of these missiles are carried.
It is worth
mentioning that rockets and missile of the ASTROS III are compatible
with the ASTROS II, however new MLRS carries significantly more of
them. Secondary armament consists 12.7 mm machine gun, mounted on
the cab roof. Vehicle is also fitted with smoke grenade dischargers.
The ASTROS
III is based on a 8x8 wheeled chassis. The 8x8 chassis was selected
because of increased payload and and enhanced mobility. Vehicle has
a fully enclosed armored cab. It is powered by a diesel engine,
developing 640 hp. Four hydraulic stabilizers are lowered to the
ground to provide more stable firing platform. All launching
procedures are made from the inside of the vehicle.
The ASTROS
III is supported by a reloading vehicle, based on the same 8x8
wheeled chassis. A battery of launching vehicles has a fire control
vehicle and some other associated support vehicles.
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