WR-40 Langusta

   The WR-40 Langusta (Wyrzutnia Rakietowa) multiple launch rocket system is a modern upgrade of the Soviet BM-21 Grad artillery rocket system. The first vehicle entered service with the Polish Army in 2007. Poland operates 227 ageing BM-21 Grad systems and it is speculated that about half of them will be converted into the WR-40.

   The WR-40 Langusta has a slightly modified launcher with 40 launching tubes for 122 mm rockets. It fires both original and newly-developed rockets. The standard rocket of the BM-21 is 2.87 m long and weights 66.4 kg. The new Feniks-Z HE-fragmentation rocket has a maximum range of 42 km. There are also new cargo rockets with a range of 32 km.

   The Langusta comes with new modern fire control and navigation systems.

   This multiple launch rocket system is reloaded manually by the crew. It takes around 7 minutes. Reloads are carried by escorting medium utility truck.

   The WR-40 Langusta uses Jelcz P662D.35G-27 6x6 truck chassis, as original Ural-375D trucks of the BM-21 Grad are extremely old and in rather poor condition. The WR-40 has a lightly armored cab and accommodates all crew members. Vehicle is powered by the IVECO Aifo Cursor 8 diesel engine, developing 350 horsepower. Truck has a central tyre inflation system. The WR-40 Langusta can be airlifted by the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.

Variants

   Langusta 2 - a proposed new artillery rocket system. It is based on a Jelcz 8x8 truck and carries a full set of reload rockets. It has a reloading system, similar to that of the Czechoslovak RM-70. A full set of rockets is reloaded in less than two minutes. This unusual reloading system was pioneered in Czechoslovakia, but was later used on a number of artillery rocket system.