Engineering: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) |
| Calibre | 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 Synchromesh |
| Suspension | Kwêvoël 100 10-ton 6x6 truck |
Operational range | 1,000 km (620 mi) |
| 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
Bateleur 40 tube Multiple Rocket Launcher on SAMIL 100 armoured four door cab truck
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Operators
South Africa - South African National Defence Force: 25[5]
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Multiple Launch Rocket System. |
- ↑ "Denel FV2 Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)". 27 January 2011. https://www.defenceweb.co.za/resources/fact-files/fact-file-denel-fv2-bateleur-multiple-launch-rocket-system-mlrs/.
- ↑ "Denel FV2 Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)". 27 January 2011. http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13253.
- ↑ ARG. "Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System | Military-Today.com". http://www.military-today.com/artillery/bateleur.htm.
- ↑ "Denel FV2 Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)". 27 January 2011. http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13253.
- ↑ Leon Engelbrecht (27 January 2011). "Denel FV2 Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)". http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13253:zoiks&catid=79:fact-files&Itemid=159. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
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