| LAR-160 | |
|---|---|
 LAR-160 multiple rocket launcher mounted on a Lynx vehicle | |
| Type | Single Stage Ballistic Missile |
| Place of origin |
 Israel |
| Service history | |
| Used by |
Israel Argentina Azerbaijan Georgia Kazakhstan Romania Venezuela Chile |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Israel Military Industries |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 100kg Mk.I, 110kg Mk.II |
| Length | 3.4m |
Detonation mechanism | Impact Fuze or Proximity fuze |
|
| |
Operational range | 45km |
Guidance system | ACCULAR - 2003 onwards |
Launch platform | Mobile (many including AMX-13 and HMMWV) |
The LAR-160 is a light artillery rocket (hence LAR) with a 160mm calibre, a minimum range of 12 km and a maximum range of 45 km, from a multiple rocket launcher. Each standard launcher holds two 13 rocket Launch Pod Containers (LPC's), 18 rocket LPC's are also manufactured. A light version is also manufactured which can be carried by helicopters and towed behind vehicles such as a HMMWV.
Development[]
The LAR-160 was designed in the late 1970s by Israel Military Industries, it was adopted by the Israeli Defense Forces in 1983
Armament[]
The LAR-160s rocket has undergone continuous development and has resulted in the Mk. I, Mk. II and Mk.IV rockets.
Mk. I Rocket[]
The Mk. I rocket is 3.4m long and has a diameter of 160mm fueled by solid propellant. The Mk. I is 100 kg and has a 40 kg HE-COFRAM warhead which is activated by an impact fuze or proximity fuze. The Mk. 1 was first used by the Venezuelan Army on an AMX-13 hull.
Mk. II Rocket[]
The Mk. II rocket weighs 110 kg and has a 46 kg warhead which is either HE-COFRAM or a cluster warhead containing 104 CL-3022-S4 AP/AM submunitions. A remotely set electronic fuze opens the canister at the appropriate height to give area coverage of about 31,400 m2.
All 26 rockets can be fired in under 60 seconds and re-loaded in under five minutes from a conventional truck with a 15 t/m crane.
Launcher[]
Detached LAR-160 multiple rocket launcher
The LAR-160 incorporates a modern command, control, communications and intelligence system called ACCS, which has a total interface capability to all common artillery elements including meteorological unit, forward observers as well as mapping, GPS and other items.
Elevation and traverse of the launchers are performed by an electrohydraulic system, which is backed up by a manual system. When the system is fitted on a wheeled chassis, two hydraulically operated stabilisers are lowered to the ground to provide a more stable firing platform.[1]
Service History[]
The system was used extensively by the Georgian Army against Russian and South Ossetian Forces in the 2008 South Ossetia War.
Romania uses a domestic version of the LAR-160, called LAROM and Argentina uses a domestic version as well called TAM VCLC.
Operators[]
LAR-160 Operators
Argentina-10 (TAM VCLC version)- Azerbaijan-30
- Georgia-15[1]
- Israel-50
- Kazakhstan
- Romania (LAROM Version)
- Venezuela-20 (mounted on AMX-13 hull)
- Chile-12
External links[]
References[]
The original article can be found at LAR-160 and the edit history here.