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Avibras ASTROS II (Artillery SaTuration ROcket System)

1983 COLD WAR GULF WAR MODERN

History

Many modern armed forces have adopted some form of multiple rocket launch system (MLRS) to achieve battlefield area saturation. Such a system proved itself in the battles of World War II (1939-1945), especially when Soviet trucks ("Katyusha" system) and tracked vehicles were used to soften before the accumulation of ground attacks by Red Army tanks and troops in the case of German positions.

Since the global conflict, there have been simple transformations as well as more advanced developments around the globe to fulfill the role of the MLRS. Even the Brazilian army, long content with the purchase of foreign military products, decided to adopt a local solution in the Avibras ASTROS II MLRS system (ASTROS = "Artillery Saturated Rocket System").

The ASTROS II product has variable rocket payloads, making it somewhat modular to meet customer requirements. Launcher packs can contain 4 to 32 High Explosive (HE) rockets for indirect fire up to 16,000 meters (depending on the rocket). The launch vehicle assembly (AV-LMU series) is mounted on a beam assembly mounted on the rear of the chassis of a 10-ton Techtran Enginharia 6x6 wheeled truck. Propulsion is provided by a Mercedes OM422 8-cylinder diesel engine that produces 280 horsepower and provides the vehicle with a maximum road speed of 56 mph and a range of 300 miles. A typical combat crew consists of three people, with local defense provided by a canopy-mounted 12.7mm heavy machine gun (HMG) (or similar weapon).

Armor protection is against small arms fire and artillery jets. Vehicle dimensions include a barrel length of 20 feet, a width of 9.5 feet and a height of 8.5 feet.

ASTROS II is part of the complete MLRS system that makes up the artillery company. One radar-equipped truck has a radar-guided fire control system (FCS), while several other trucks in the array serve as missile reloads. Large formations of ASTROS II trucks can have a devastating impact on a target area, which is great for driving out entrenched enemy forces.

In addition to the obvious destructive factor, the rocket launcher can also have an adverse psychological effect on the enemy.

The ASTROS II series entered service with the Brazilian Army in 1983 and has since been exported on a small scale, becoming Avibras' most successful product to date. The operators are Angola, Bahrain, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iraq, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Brazil has adopted a land-based army variant and a "navy" variant for its naval service. Some of the largest operators outside Brazil are Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. Iraq produced the vehicle, called the Sajil-60, locally under license, while also buying stock directly from Brazil.

Its global presence ensures its involvement in modern conflicts such as the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), the Gulf War (1991) and the Angolan Civil War (1975-2002).

There are several variants of the ASTROS II series. The SS-30 is the launch kit version that supports 32x127 rockets, while the SS-40 is different in that it supports 16x180mm rockets. SS-60, SS-80 and SS-150 markers support 4 x 300mm rockets.

The MTC-300 is a cruise missile-enabled variant that, if formally adopted, would significantly increase the battlefield value of the entire ASTROS II system.