The Chilean defence manufacturing and logistics organisation FAMAE is displaying a new multiple launch rocket system at FIDAE 2014.
Developed in conjunction with Israeli defence company IMI, the SLM platform consists of a MAN 6x6 truck with a rocket launcher. FAMAE hopes that the vehicle will replace the existing Light Artillery Rocket System, LARS.
A new multiple launch rocket system, Sistema de
Lanzamiento Multiple (SLM) in Spanish, is being exhibited by Fábricas and
Maestranzas del Ejército (FAMAE) at FIDAE 2014.
Developed initially in cooperation with Israeli Military Industries (IMI) and
local company Desarrollos de Automatización (DESA), the SLM platform consists of
a MAN six-wheel-drive truck with an adaptable launching unit fitted on top and
incorporating the Nekulpan fire control system from DESA.
The development of SLM took as references two weapons from IMI, the 160mm
Accular high-precision artillery rocket, which carries a 35-kilogram warhead;
and the 306mm extended range artillery rocket, with a 120-kilogram warhead.
The combination of Accular and Extra rockets allows SLM to strike targets at
a distance of 10 to 150 kilometers, with a circle error probable of only 10
meters.
“Nevertheless, a very important part of the conception of this system is that
it is very flexible, able to accommodate any artillery rocket system,” said
Eduardo Aguilera, chief of FAMAE’s Rocket Department.
FAMAE is now offering the system as a complement to the LAR-160 rocket
artillery system currently in use with the Chilean Army.
Ricardo Cortes, manager of DESA, said the Nekulpan fire control system “was
developed in close cooperation with FAMAE, so it can rightly be said that it is
tailor made.”
Cortes explained that the Nekulpan fire control system could be integrated
with “any artillery rocket or self-propelled artillery weapon system currently
available in the international market, to increase effectiveness at much
competitive costs.”
Patricio Gutierrez, chief of FAMAE’s Rockets and Missiles Division,
emphasized that “the development of SLM relied on the experience, competence and
capabilities gained with the Rayo program.”
The Rayo program aimed to produce a 160mm rocket system in Chile, with FAMAE
receiving technical assistance from the UK’s Royal Ordnance. The program ran
from 1989 to 2002.
“Many people believe that Rayo was a waste, as it was not ordered and
produced after its development and testing was successfully completed. But in
fact the objective of Rayo was not only developing a rocket system,” Gutierrez
said.
“Its real target was to create, to develop technical expertise and industrial
capabilities in the field of rocketry in the country.
“And it was a success, as shown by the factory of rockets and propellant, the
test bench and the assembly line and, overall, the team of rocket engineers and
technicians that FAMAE has today. And SLM is also its result, which would
deserve to be called the Son of the Rayo,” he said.
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