Loading AI tools
Czechoslovak self-propelled multiple rocket launcher From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The RM-70 (Raketomet vzor 1970) multiple rocket launcher is a Czechoslovak Army version and heavier variant of the BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher, providing enhanced performance over its parent area-saturation rocket artillery system that was introduced in 1971[2] (the NATO designation is M1972).
RM-70 | |
---|---|
Type | Self-propelled multiple rocket launcher |
Place of origin | Czechoslovakia |
Service history | |
In service | 1972–present |
Used by | See users |
Wars | Western Sahara War[1] Russo-Georgian War Sri Lankan Civil War First Libyan Civil War Afghanistan conflict (1978–present) 2013 Kivu Offensive Yemeni Civil War (2014–present) 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine |
Specifications | |
Mass | 33.7 tonnes (74,295 lb) |
Length | 8.75 m (28 ft 8 in) |
Width | 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) |
Height | 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in) |
Crew | 6 |
Caliber | 122.4 mm (4.8 in) |
Barrels | 40 |
Maximum firing range | 40 km (25 mi) |
Armor | Steel |
Secondary armament | Universal machine gun vz. 59 |
Engine | T-903-3 V12 multi-fuel 250 hp (184 kW) |
Suspension | 8×8 wheeled |
Operational range | 400 km (250 mi) |
Maximum speed | 85 km/h (53 mph) |
RM-70 was developed in Czechoslovakia as a successor for the RM-51, achieving initial operational capability with its Army in 1972. The launcher was being produced in Dubnica nad Váhom (Slovakia). Originally, it was sold to East Germany. After the Soviet Union collapse and the split of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, it was sold to several countries in Africa, America, Asia and Europe.
RM-70 replaced the Ural-375D 6x6 truck by a Tatra T813 "Kolos" 8x8 truck as carrier platform for the 40-round launcher. The new carrier vehicle provides enough space for carrying 40 additional 122 mm rockets pack for automatic reload. Nevertheless, RM-70 performance remains near the same as Grad even in terms of vehicle's speed and range. This rocket launcher can fire both individual rounds and volleys, principally by means of indirect fire. It is designed for concentrated fire coverage of large areas (up to 3 hectares (30,000 m2) in one volley) by high explosive fragmentation shells. The fire is robust with almost 256 kg of explosives used in one volley of 40 rockets. The rockets used are either the original Soviet 9M22 and 9M28, or locally developed models. These are the JROF with a range of 20.75 km, the JROF-K with a range of 11 km, the "Trnovnik" with 63 HEAT-bomblets and a range of 17.5 km, the "Kuš" with five PPMI-S1 anti-personnel mines or the "Krizhna-R" with four PTMI-D anti-tank mines and a range of 19.45 km. Ukraine has also used the RM-70 to fire Serbian G-2000 rockets with a range of 40.5 km.[3][4] RM-70 systems have been used by Ukraine to attack the Russian city of Belgorod.[5][6][7][8][9][10]
The vehicle is provided with a central tyre pressure regulation system (to allow its adaptation to the nature of the traversed ground), a headlight with white light on the forward cab roof and, if necessary, with a snow plough SSP 1000 or a dozer blade BZ-T to arrange its own emplacement or to remove obstacles.
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.