PULS (multiple rocket launcher)
Multiple Rocket Launcher From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
PULS (Precise & Universal Launching System, formerly known as Lynx MRL) is a multiple rocket launcher developed and manufactured by ELBIT Systems (formerly Israel Military Industries) and used by Israel Defense Forces and other countries.[1]
| PULS | |
|---|---|
PULS (Precise & Universal Launching System) | |
| Type | Multiple Rocket Launcher Tactical ballistic missile launcher |
| Place of origin | Israel |
| Service history | |
| Wars | Second Nagorno-Karabakh War Israel–Hamas war |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Israel Military Industries |
| Manufacturer | Israel Military Industries (now Elbit Systems) |
| Specifications | |
| Caliber | 122 mm 160 mm 306 mm 330 mm 370 mm |
| Maximum firing range | 300 km |
Guidance system | GPS and INS |
History
Summarize
Perspective
After the acquisition of Israel Military Industries by Elbit Systems in 2018, an upgraded and modernized version of the Lynx was developed, called the PULS (Precise & Universal Launching System).[2] The Defense Technology Institute (DTI) of Thailand is partnering with Elbit Systems to develop a Thai version of the PULS called D-11A.[3]
The EURO-PULS is being developed in cooperation between the German KNDS and ELBIT targeting the European market by integration of, additional missile types. As part of the project, the US made GMLRS and other HIMARS missiles would have been integrated with the EURO-PULS launchers, however, the management of Lockheed Martin, the US missile manufacturer, refused to do so.[4]
In January 2023, Denmark announced it is negotiating the acquisition of 8 PULS systems for the Royal Danish Army.[5]
In March 2023, the Dutch Ministry of Defence announced that it would acquire 20 PULS systems for the Royal Netherlands Army with the first systems to be delivered in the same year.[6][7] The contract worth 305 million dollars was signed on May 18.[8]
On 10 October 2023, the government of Spain decided to order the locally manufactured version of the PULS systems for SILAM programme (es:SILAM).[9]
Israel introduced the PULS into IDF service in 2020 under the name Lahav, which is a PULS rocket module mounted on a HEMTT truck chassis. It was first used operationally in February 2024 during the Israel–Hamas War.[10]
Design
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Perspective
It can be configured to carry a variety of rockets in two sealed pod containers: 36 (2 pods × 18 rockets each) 122mm Grad rockets; or 26 (2×13) 160mm LAR-160 or ACCULAR rockets; or eight (2×4) 306mm EXTRA rockets; two (2×1) 330mm Delilah missiles or four (2×2) 370mm Predator Hawk tactical ballistic missiles.[1]
The PULS also able to carry and launch SkyStriker loitering munitions, which is a unique feature among MLRS systems. The SkyStriker drones have a range over 100 km and 6 drones are packed into a single container according to a video published by Elbit Systems. The drone can engage moving targets unlike the other missiles of the PULS system, but it can also return and land after doing reconnaissance and can be relaunched again.[11][12]
Missile options
| Rocket / missile | Diameter | Weight | Max. quantity | Guidance | Max. range | Accuracy CEP |
Warhead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRAD | 122 mm | 66 kg | 18 pcs / pod
36 pcs / vehicle |
none | 40 km | n.a. | 20 kg |
| LAR160 | 160 mm | 110 kg | 13 pcs / pod
26 pcs / vehicle |
none | 45 km | n.a. | 46 kg |
| Accular 122 | 122 mm | 72 kg | 18 pcs / pod
36 pcs / vehicle |
GPS/INS | 35 km | 10 m | 20 kg |
| Accular 160 | 160 mm | n.a. | 13 pcs / pod
26 pcs / vehicle |
GPS/INS | 40 km | 10 m | 35 kg |
| SkyStriker UAV | n.a. | n.a. | 6 pcs / pod
12 pcs / vehicle |
CCD/IR and GPS/INS | 100+ km | 1 m | 5–10 kg |
| EXTRA | 306 mm | 570 kg | 4 pcs / pod
8 pcs / vehicle |
GPS/INS | 150 km | 10 m | 120 kg |
| Delilah | 330 mm | 187 kg | 2 pcs / pod
4 pcs / vehicle |
CCD/IR and GPS/INS | 250 km | 1 m | 30 kg |
| Predator Hawk | 370 mm | 800 kg | 2 pcs / pod
4 pcs / vehicle |
GPS/INS | 300 km | 10 m | 160 kg |
Practice missiles with a range between 7–15 km are also available for the PULS system.[15]
Operators
Summarize
Perspective
- Israeli Ground Forces – Under the name of Lahav.
- Azerbaijani Land Forces – 6 Lynx and 50 EXTRA missiles were acquired and then used in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War.[16]
- Royal Danish Army – 8 PULS delivered (contract signed on March 2, 2023) for US$133 million. The PULS is based on a Tatra T815 6×6.[17] All the launchers and missiles were handed over by the end first quarter of 2024.[18]
- Royal Netherlands Army – 20 PULS on order on Scania Gryphus chassis with armoured cabins. Contract worth US$305 million was signed on May 18, 2023, four vehicles to be delivered in 2023.[19]
- The first TATRA truck based PULS launcher was delivered in February 2024. The rest will be built locally on armoured Scania Gryphus 8×8 trucks in 2025 and 2026.[20]
- Kazakh Ground Forces – 18 Lynx and 50 EXTRA rockets ordered in 2007, delivered in 2008–09.[21] The Naiza (a derivative of the Lynx) is a derivative of the Lynx developed in collaboration, based on the KamAZ-6350 8×8 chassis.[22]
- Rwandan Army – 5 Lynx ordered in 2007, in service since 2008.[21]
Future operators
- Serbian Army - Elbit Systems announced on the 18th of November, 2024 that it was awarded a contract worth approximately $335 million to supply PULS multiple rocket launchers and Hermes 900 unmanned aerial systems an "unnamed European customer", which turned out to be Serbia.[23] The contract will be performed over a period of 3.5 years.[24]
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- German Army – The German government decided to buy 5 PULS systems in collaboration with the Netherlands to replace the 5 MARS II (M270 MLRS) sent to Ukraine.[25] The purchase was approved by the parliament in December 2024.[26] It is likely to be installed on an armoured Iveco Trakker FSA 8×8 (GTF ZLK 15t).
- Spanish Army – 16 PULS were ordered in October 2023 for the program SILAM MLRS ("Sistema Lanzador de Alta Movilidad") for approximately €576.5 million. Elbit Systems is collaborating with a consortium made of Expal, Escribano Mechanical & Engineering, GMV and Iveco Defense Vehicle.[9][27] Details of the contract:
- Truck 8×8, Iveco M320 (ASTRA SM 88.45)
- Accular 122: 16 pods, 288 missiles (18 missiles per pod)
- EXTRA: 28 pods, 122 missiles (4 missiles per pod)
- Predator Hawk: 32 launching pods, 64 missiles (2 missiles per pod)
- Training rockets: 216 rockets
Unknown customers
- Elbit Systems announced on the 18th of July, 2023 that it was awarded a $150 million contract to supply PULS rocket launchers and a package of precision-guided long-range rockets to an international customer. The contract will be performed over a period of three years.[28][19]
- Elbit Systems announced on the 6th of August, 2024 that it was awarded a contract worth approximately $270 million to supply rocket artillery to an international customer. The contract will be performed over a period of 4 years.[29]
Potential operators
- Hellenic Army – In the selection process. Competing with an upgrade of a number of Greece's rocket artillery M270 MLRS by Lockheed, as part of a modernization program of the rocket artillery forces.[30][31] If purchased, the Hellenic Army will acquire 36 or 40[32] of the European version, EURO PULS MLRS,[32] in a deal of €600-700 million, with the construction of some of the components in Greece, according to reports.[33][34][31] The plan includes the acquisition of Accular, EXTRA, and primarily Predator Hawk rockets. The inclusion of SkyStriker UAV/loitering munitions, will be a request the Greek Army will make, according to media reports from January 2025.[32][35] If approved for purchase by the Parliament and KYSEA, the launchers will be vehicle-mounted on Iveco trucks, similar to the ones Germany used for the system.[36]
- Norway intends to procure modern long-range capabilities for the land forces (missile artillery). According to reports, the intention is to introduce 16 Euro-PULS or HIMARS missile artillery systems, including an ammunition package and associated equipment.[37]
- Philippine Army – Actively competing against the American HIMARS[38] and South Korean K239 Chunmoo[39] systems for the MLRS Acquisition Project.[40][41]
- Royal Thai Army – The RTA is testing a localized version of the PULS.[42]
- According to the 2032+ reconstruction plan, Austria is planning to procure modern rocket artillery for the Austrian Armed Forces. Due to the political tensions with the USA in Europe, it is assumed that no US system will be purchased. [43]
See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lynx.
- ACCULAR – (Israel)
Vehicle of similar era & design
- Astros II – (Brazil)
- BM-21 Grad – (Soviet Union)
- Fajr-5 – (Iran)
- M142 HIMARS – (United States)
- K239 Chunmoo – (South Korea)
- M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System – (United States)
- LRSVM Morava – (Serbia)
- T-122 Sakarya – (Turkey)
- TOS-1 – (Soviet Union, Russia)
References
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