ASTROS

     Notes:  This is a multiple rocket launcher mounted on a VBT-2028 6x6 armored truck chassis with a 280-horsepower engine with an automatic transmission.  It is used by Brazil, Iraq, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.  Israel and India seriously tested the ASTROS system, but later decided to go their own way, largely with artillery guns.  The New Iraqi forces also have bought the ASTROS system.  ASTROS systems were supplied temporarily to Angola to defeat UNITA insurgents.

     Four versions are available, with rockets of 127mm, 180mm, 300mm, and long-range 300mm size.  The launcher and associated equipment completely fills the load area of the truck, leaving only the cab for the crew and their gear. The cab is extended and armored, with NBC Overpressure; the rockets pods are normally reloaded by a similar vehicle to the ASTROS which can remotely remove the expended rocket pod and mount a new one.  The pods are interchangeable and one launcher may fire any of the different types of rockets.  The ASTROS has an inertial navigation and a mapping module, as well as a self-surveying system; though it is preferred that the ASTROS use an FDC, it can generate fire coordinates on its own. (however, at long range, scatter will double without an FDC.) The ASTROS has a modicum of fire control; on the roof of the cab is a small pod containing a telescopic sight, an indirect fire sight, and night vision gear. The roof has a hard ring above the commander’s position, with a heavy or light machinegun.

     Originally known as the ASTORS TM during development, the SS-AV-40 is essentially a SS-40 rocket with a guidance section using inertial guidance/GPS to guide the missile to a range of 300 kilometers using a larger propellent section.  The inertial navigation is used to provide the initial launch information, with the GPS taking over at mid-course, with further corrections as the missile gets closer to its target. The sacrifice for all this is a reduced warhead section.  The gunner must also have Tac Missile, Guided Weapon, or Electronics skill (with the ELC skill being applicable at one level less).

     The AV-TCM, also known as the MTC-300 and AV-TM 300 during its development, is essentially a cruise missile that Brazilian engineers developed after the Brazilian MoD decided that the price for US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles were too high.  The AV-TCMs basically look like a Tomahawk, but are only about two-thirds the size and half the weight (with much composites used in its construction), with a smaller fuel tank for its engine and a smaller warhead section.  The guidance section does not use the Tomahawk’s TERCOM; instead, it uses a combination of inertial navigation, GPS, and a transponder to guide itself.  Skill requirements are the same as the SS-AV-40.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Examples captured from Iraq during the 1991 Persian Gulf War were used by Kuwait in the Twilight War.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

127mm SS-30

$198,976

D, A

500 kg

11 tons

4

10

Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification (G, AG)

Shielded

180mm SS-40

$273,746

D, A

494 kg

11.23 tons

4

10

Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification (G, AG)

Shielded

300mm SS-60

$441,977

D, A

480 kg

13.54 tons

4

10

Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification (G, AG)

Shielded

350mm SS-80

$446,444

D, A

477 kg

14.04 tons

4

10

Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification (G, AG)

Shielded

450mm SS-150

$1,958,308

D, A

471 kg

15.04 tons

4

10

Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification (G, AG)

Shielded

180mm SS-AV-40

$3,153,667

D, A

490 kg

12 tons

4

12

Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification (G, AG)

Shielded

300mm AV-TCM

$4,572,710

D, A

478 kg

14 tons

4

13

Thermal Imaging, Image Intensification (G, AG)

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

127mm SS-30

191/97

53/27

700

103

Stnd

W(4)

HF3  HS3  HR3

180mm SS-40

189/95

52/26

700

105

Stnd

W(4)

HF3  HS3  HR3

300mm SS-60

162/82

44/22

700

116

Stnd

W(4)

HF3  HS3  HR3

350mm SS-80

158/79

43/22

700

118

Stnd

W(4)

HF3  HS3  HR3

450mm SS-150

149/75

41/21

700

122

Stnd

W(4)

HF3  HS3  HR3

180mm SS-AV-40

179/90

50/25

700

110

Stnd

W(4)

HF3  HS3  HR3

300mm AV-TCM

158/79

43/22

700

120

Stnd

W(4)

HF3  HS3  HR3

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

127mm SS-30

+2

None

32-Round SS-30 Rocket Launcher, M2HB (C)

32x127mm Rockets, 500x.50

180mm SS-40

+2

None

16-Round SS-40 Rocket Launcher, M2HB (C)

16x180mm Rockets, 500x.50

300mm SS-60

+2

None

4-Round SS-60 Rocket Launcher, M2HB (C)

4x300mm Rockets, 500x.50

300mm SS-80

+2

None

4-Round SS-80 Rocket Launcher; M2HB (C)

4x300mm LR Rockets, 500x.50

350mm SS-150

+2

None

4-Round SS-150 Rocket Launcher; M2HB (C)

4x450mm LR Rockets, 500x.50

180mm SS-AV-40

Special

None

4-Round SS-AV-40 Missile Launcher, M2HB (C)

4x180mm SSMs, 500x.50

300mm AV-TCM

Special

None

2-Round AV-TCM Cruise Missile Launcher, M2HB (C)

2x300mm Cruise Missiles, 500x.50

*Only the launcher box, cab, and vehicle underside are so protected, and only the cab is Shielded and has NBC Overpressure protection.