| Valkiri | |
|---|---|
| Type | Multiple rocket launcher |
| Place of origin |
 South Africa |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1982 – present[1] |
| Used by |
 South Africa |
| Wars | South African Border War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Denel, Somchem |
| Variants | Bateleur (40 launch tubes) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 6,400 kg (14,080 lbs) |
| Length | 5.35 m (17 ft 7 in) |
| Width | 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in) |
| Height | 2.32 m (7 ft 7 in) |
| Crew | 2 |
|
| |
| Cartridge | HE-Fragmentation: 2.68 m (8 ft 10 in) |
| Caliber | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Barrels | 24 |
| Effective firing range | 36 km (22 mi) |
|
| |
| Engine | diesel |
| Suspension | Mercedes Benz Unimog 4×4 truck |
Operational range | 400 km (250 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 90 km/h (56 mph) (road) |
The Valkiri (from the Valkyrie of Norse mythology) is a South African self-propelled multiple rocket launcher developed in the 1980s by Somchem, (now Rheinmetall-Denel Munitions).[2]
The system is based on the Soviet BM-21 Grad, examples of which were captured during Operation Savannah in Angola in 1976. Development was completed in 1981, and it was fielded in 1987 and 1988 by the South African Defense Force (SADF) in southern Angola against Cuban supported FAPLA forces, specifically during operations Hooper and Moduler. An advantage the Valkiri has over other multiple-launch rocket systems is that it is easy to disguise on the battlefield. With the canopy down the Valkiri looks like any other Unimog 4x4 truck.[3]
Variants[]
- Valkiri-22 Mk 1 (original version): 24 launch tubes mounted on a Unimog light 4x4 truck.
- Bateleur (current version): 40 launch tubes mounted on an armoured Samil 100 6x6 truck.
- Valkiri-5 a shortened lighter trailer-mounted version for airborne use. It has 12 launch tubes and uses a shortened version of the 127 mm rocket that has a maximum range of 5500 metres.[4]
References[]
- ↑ "Valkiri Multiple Launch Rocket System". http://www.military-today.com/artillery/valkiri.htm.
- ↑ "Valkiri Multiple Artillery Rocket". http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/valkiri.htm. Retrieved 2006-10-25.
- ↑ "Rheinmetall Denel Munition 127 mm (24-round) Valkiri Mk I 22 multiple rocket launcher system (South Africa) - Jane's Armour and Artillery". Articles.janes.com. 2012-03-06. http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/Rheinmetall-Denel-Munition-127-mm-24-round-Valkiri-Mk-I-22-multiple-rocket-launcher-system-South-Africa.html. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
- ↑ Heitman, Helmoed-Römer (1990). South African Armed Forces. Cape Town, South Africa: Buffalo Publications. p. 123. ISBN 9780620148788.
External links[]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Multiple Launch Rocket System. |
- Army Recognition.com
- Photos at SA Bush War—halfway down the page
The original article can be found at Valkiri and the edit history here.