CP-30

     Notes:  The CP-30 was designed to replace the Pampero in Argentine service, though the possible use of so many Pamperos in active service would seems to indicate that they were not able to acquire them in the numbers hoped for.  Though the CP-30 was scheduled to be replaced by the VCLC by now, the VCLC program is lagging badly and replacements beyond a few may never occur.

     The CP-30 is mounted on a larger VLRA ACMAT 6x6 chassis, with an output of 180 horsepower, joined with an automatic transmission, and an enlarged, armored cab that contains all the fire controls.  One of the hallmarks of the CP-20 is it’s flexibility – it can fire the same 105mm rockets of the Pampero, 122mm Grad rockets, or more powerful 127mm rockets, in single-shot or ripples of 4, 8, 12, or a full salvo. (Figures below are for 127mm rockets.)  Like the Pampero, the CP-30’s MRL is able to be mounted on a 4x4 trailer, though a bigger trailer is needed. The firing capabilities are similar to those of the Pampero, including its construction of largely aluminum tubing; the tubes, however, support light sheet steel armor for the rocket pack.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$108,692

D, A

400 kg

14 tons

3

12

Headlights

Open

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

113/57

39/16

420

66

Stnd

W(3)

TF2  TS2  TR2  HF2  HS2  HR2*

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+1

None

16-Round 105mm or 16-Round 122mm or 16x127mm MRL

16x105mm or 16x122mm or 16x127mm Rockets

*AVs are only for the cab and the rocket pack.  The rest of the vehicle is AV1.

 

CITEFA Pampero

     Notes:  Known officially as the SLAM (Sistema Lanzacohetes de Artillia Multiple), this is an older design based on the CP-30, and firing its 105mm rockets.

Argentine multiple rocket launcher, still used by Argentine forces.  It was developed by CITEFA in 1980-83, but subsequently manufactured by DGFM. Some sources say only five Pamperos were actually built; one was a prototype and four were actually used on active duty. Yet others state that some 40 were built and are still being used. (The prototype is now on display in a museum in Rosario in Argentina.) It is still seen regularly in parades, sometimes in numbers larger than four, though mockups have also been used in parades. As the improved CP-30 has been production for a while, it is unlikely that any new Pampero production has been taken for a while. Stabilizers are lowered at the corners of the vehicle before firing.  It is otherwise a standard MRL.  Though normally mounted on its Unimog base, it has been seen on other chassis, including a four-wheel trailer.

     It is mounted on the chassis of a Unimog 416 truck, with 68 horsepower.  The sixteen 105-millimeter rockets can be launched in 7.5 seconds. Loading is manual, but usually assisted by a truck with a crane on it (though the module is not actually very heavy; and four troops can reload it in 10 seconds). Construction is largely of aluminum, and mostly of aluminum tubing and wire – similar to thick chicken wire. Rockets are loaded in two rows of eight, and the unit may be depressed to level or elevated to 52 degrees, or 52 degrees to either side. (Though capable of direct fire, no antiarmor rounds have been devised for the Pampero.)  Firing controls are found in an extended cab, though there are also handwheels on the pedestal to fine-tune elevation and deflection.  If desired, one shot may be fired at a time.

     These rockets may also be fired from a Yaguarte rocket pod, which is a heavy 4 or 6-round rocket pod carries on Argentine light attack aircraft and helicopters.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$76,698

D, A

400 kg

6.49 tons

3

5

Headlights

Open

 

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

98/50

27/14

160

24

Stnd

W(2)

HF1  HS1  HR1

 

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+1

None

16-Round 105mm Multiple Rocket Launcher

16x105mm Rockets

 

TAMSE VCLC

     Notes:  This Argentine multiple rocket launcher is mounted on a modified TAM light tank chassis.  In this role the VCLC is topped with a 1-man turret mounting twin 18-round 160mm rocket launchers or eight-round 350mm rocket launchers.  The rockets are based on the Israeli LAR-160 Mk I and MAR-350. In the front of the turret is a commander's hatch with a machinegun mount. The vehicle is usually followed by a number of M-809 5-ton trucks with extra rocket pods, each of which has a crane for reloading.  The other vehicle accompanying is a truck with a ranging radar.  The VCLC was unfortunately the victim of the budget crisis in Argentina and was never built in quantity; in fact, the CAM version was not built beyond a few examples.

     The gunner for the rockets is in a turret compartment in between the rocket launchers.  The rocket packs are interchangeable.  The rocket launcher turret can be rotated 270 degrees from the rear, and depressed to -2 degrees and elevated to 60 degrees. The driver is in the front left like on the TAM, while the commander is in the missile of the vehicle, and is armed with a light machinegun. Other upgrades include an artillery rocket computer, a computer for direct fire shots, and night vision for the crewmembers.  A transponder is provided to help the commander find his way, usually by homing in on a friendly signal.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The few VCLCs that saw some action in Twilight War acquitted themselves well; the CAM-350 proved especially devastating to their targets.  They were unfortunately few in number until well after the war.

     Merc 2000 Notes: Though the VCLC sold reasonably well, the Argentine Army never saw any; the ones produced were sold to other countries.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

CAL

$921,889

D, A

350 kg

32.58 tons

3

18

Passive IR

Shielded

CAM

$1,749,713

D, A

350 kg

32.58 tons

3

18

Passive IR

Shielded

 

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

CAL/CAM

154/108

43/30

680+400

267

Trtd

T3

TF4  TS4  TR4  HF32  HS6  HR6

 

Vehicle

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

CAL

+2

None

2x18-Round 160mm Rocket Launcher, MG-3 (C)

36x160mm Rockets, 2500x7.62mm

CAM

+2

None

2x8-Round 350mm Multiple Rocket Launcher, MG-3 (C)

16x350mm Rockets, 2500x7.62mm