Bateleur FV2
Bateleur | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Type | Multiple rocket launcher |
Place of origin | South Africa |
Service history | |
In service | 1979–present[1] |
Used by | South African National Defence Force |
Production history | |
Designer | Denel, Somchem |
Specifications | |
Mass | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) |
Length | 8.53 m (28 ft 0 in) |
Width | 2.425 m (7 ft 11.5 in) |
Height | 3.125 m (10 ft 3.0 in) |
Crew | 5 |
Cartridge | HE-Fragmentation: 2.68 m (8 ft 10 in) |
Caliber | 127 mm (5 in) |
Barrels | 40 |
Rate of fire | 1 per sec |
Effective firing range | 36 km (22 mi) |
Engine | V10 diesel 268hp |
Transmission | ZF 56-65 Syncromesh |
Suspension | Kwêvoël 100 10-ton 6x6 truck |
Operational range | 1,000 km (620 mi) |
Maximum speed | 90 km/h (56 mph) (road) |
The Bateleur is a South African self-propelled multiple rocket launcher. It is a 127mm system with a wheeled launcher vehicle, disposable pods, and fire control equipment developed by Denel Land Systems.[2] Based on a mine protected Kwêvoël 100 10 ton 6x6 carrier. Its mission is to engage in counter-battery strikes against hostile artillery and air defences as far as 36 km (22 mi) away. Other potential warheads include cluster and an anti-tank mine dispenser.[3] The weapon can fire up to 40 127mm pre-fragmented high explosive warheads to ranges of 7.5km to 36km at sea level singly or using ripple fire, firing up to 1 rocket per second. Reload can take less than 10 minutes and in/out-of-action time is one and two minutes respectively. The system is supported by a Kwêvoël 100 ammunition truck carrying 96 rockets and crew who help with the reloading.[4]
The system was previously called the Valkiri MkII as it was developed from the Valkiri MRLS which is itself based on the Soviet BM-21 Grad.
Variants
- Bateleur FV2 (current version): 40 launch tubes mounted on an armoured Samil 100 6x6 truck.
- Modified version to fire 122mm rockets
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Bateleur 40 tube Multiple Rocket Launcher on SAMIL 100 armoured four door cab truck
Operators
References
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- ^ "Denel FV2 Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)". defenceweb.co.za. 27 January 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ^ "Denel FV2 Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)". 27 January 2011.
- ^ ARG. "Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System | Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
- ^ "Denel FV2 Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)". 27 January 2011.
- ^ Leon Engelbrecht (27 January 2011). "Denel FV2 Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)". Retrieved 5 November 2014.