Multiple launch rocket system LARS-1

6
During the Second World War, German troops had the opportunity to see the high effectiveness of the Soviet MLRS BM-13 and BM-31. There were installations of the MLRS and in the German army. Therefore, it is not surprising that soon after the creation of the Bundeswehr in the Federal Republic of Germany, the development of the MLRS LARS (Leichtes Artillerie-Raketen-System - light artillery missile system), designed to arm the divisions of artillery regiments of the Bundeswehr divisions, began.

The first prototypes of the MLRS LARS-1 were tested in the middle of 60-s, the system was adopted by the Bundeswehr in the 1969 year. Serial production was carried out with 1970. In total, 209 combat vehicles were produced, armed only by the Bundeswehr (until the beginning of the 80's, the Bundeswehr was practically the only army of NATO that was armed with the MLRS).

At the beginning of 80-ies MLRS LARS-1 has undergone modernization and received the designation LARS-2.

During the Second World War, German troops had the opportunity to see the high effectiveness of the Soviet MLRS BM-13 and BM-31. There were installations of the MLRS and in the German army. Therefore, it is not surprising that soon after the creation of the Bundeswehr in the Federal Republic of Germany, the development of the MLRS LARS (Leichtes Artillerie-Raketen-System - light artillery missile system), designed to arm the divisions of artillery regiments of the Bundeswehr divisions, began.

The first prototypes of the MLRS LARS-1 were tested in the middle of 60-s, the system was adopted by the Bundeswehr in the 1969 year. Serial production was carried out with 1970. In total, 209 combat vehicles were produced, armed only by the Bundeswehr (until the beginning of the 80's, the Bundeswehr was practically the only army of NATO that was armed with the MLRS).

At the beginning of 80-ies MLRS LARS-1 has undergone modernization and received the designation LARS-2.

Composition:
MLRS LARS includes:
  • self-propelled launcher,
  • unguided rockets,
  • onboard fire control equipment,
  • control machine (two cars per battery of eight launchers)
  • transport-charging machine (one per battery).


Self-propelled launcher developed on the basis of the off-road truck "Magirus-Deutz" Typ 178 D15A (LARS-2 based on the truck MAN). The installation has a classic layout with the placement of artillery units on the cargo platform of the car. The power plant is mounted in front on the frame of the car, behind it is an armored crew cabin. Relatively thin cockpit armor protects the crew from the powder gases produced when launching rockets and handgun bullets weapons and fragments of artillery shells and mines of small caliber.

The artillery unit has 36 barrels that serve as guides for launching unguided rockets. Initially, there were two modifications of the artillery unit: with one pack of 36 barrels and with two 18 barrels in each. The latter option was found to be more preferable and standard for all LARS launchers. The barrel packages are mounted on a rotating frame that provides horizontal guidance in the ± 50 ° range and vertical guidance angles from 0 ° to + 50 °. The gunner’s place is equipped between the barrel packages. At his disposal are mechanical drive guidance and panoramic sight.

To increase the stability of the launcher during firing, its chassis is unloaded using two mechanical jacks mounted in the rear of the vehicle frame.

The launcher is equipped with an electric ignition mechanism that allows firing single missiles or a volley: both full and part of the ammunition. Full salvo is done in 18 seconds. The commander of the installation controls the shooting with the help of a remote control panel or directly from the cab.

Firing is 110-mm unguided missiles, stabilized in flight drop-down cruciform tail. Shells are completed with the following head parts:

  • high-explosive fragmentation DM-11 with percussion fuse;
  • high-explosive fragmentation DM-21 with ready-made fragments (5000 steel balls) and a proximity fuse, which provides an effective radius of 60 m manpower;
  • smoke DM-15 containing b kg of smoke-generating composition (battery from 8 MLRS LARS can create a smoke screen of length 3-5 km, which is held for 15-20 minutes);
  • cassette DM-70, equipped with eight anti-tank anti-mine mines AT-1. At a given point of the trajectory of the cluster warhead is revealed, and mines, dispersed under the influence of oncoming air flow, descend on parachutes. After landing, the parachute is automatically detached, and the mine, having stabilized, is transferred to the combat position. A full salvo mines the 400 area on the 300 m (the barrier consists of 2304 minutes). Mines are equipped with self-liquidators, triggered after a set time;
  • sighting, having a radar reflector and used to prepare data for firing the fire control system FERA.
    The reloading of the launcher is done manually within 15 minutes.


The calculation of the initial data for the shooting and the introduction of the necessary adjustment is carried out by the complex equipment of the FERA fire control system mounted on the chassis of the two-axis control machine. The FERA system includes sighting rockets, radar tracking the flight paths of rockets and computers. One FERA system serves four LARS PUs. Reflectors and amplifiers of radar signals were installed in the combat units of the sighting NUR. Four rockets are fired in succession with a fixed interval. The radar tracks the flight paths automatically. The average value of the four trajectories of the computer compares with the calculated one and determines the corrections that are introduced into the installations of the aiming devices. Thus, errors are taken into account in determining the coordinates of the target and the firing position of the launcher, as well as deviations of meteorological and ballistic conditions at the moment of firing from the actual ones. The radar is installed behind the firing launcher and slightly higher than its range with the target. The use of the FERA system increases the effectiveness of the MLRS by approximately 60%. In addition, there is no need for leveling and hanging the PU on the jacks. At the same time, the conversion of PU from their marching position to the combat position and back is reduced to 1 minutes, which is very important for the MLRS, which unmasks itself strongly at the moment of salvo firing.

The auxiliary equipment of the launcher consists of an 7,62-mm anti-aircraft machine gun mounted above the hatch in the roof of the armored cab.

Self-propelled launcher equipped with an eight-cylinder multi-fuel diesel engine F8L714A, developing at 2300 rpm the maximum power of 148 l. with.

The chassis is made according to the wheel formula 6x6. Driving are front wheels. When driving on a highway, the launcher develops a maximum speed of 73 km / h, it is able to overcome slopes up to 31 ° and move on soils with a low bearing capacity.

The structure of the launcher equipment includes a radio station, navigation equipment and fire extinguishing equipment. An infrared night vision device can be installed on the site of the driver.

Performance characteristics:
Multiple launch rocket system LARS-1
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6 comments
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  1. +1
    2 November 2013 14: 44
    By the way, the "Magirus" trucks were considered the most valuable trophy among the Soviet logisticians, even more valuable than the cars Horchs or Mercedes. It is no coincidence that they were ordered for the construction of BAM when choosing trucks.
    1. PPL
      0
      2 November 2013 20: 48
      ... The "Magirus" was considered the most valuable trophy among the Soviet logisticians ... It is no coincidence that they were ordered for the construction of BAM when choosing trucks.

      I don’t understand, this is what happens - the Soviet logisticians used the captured "Magiruses" for the construction of BAM? lol
      1. 0
        2 November 2013 23: 01
        Well, at the BAM, the "Tatras" showed themselves better, in general I consider it a Super Truck
  2. +2
    3 November 2013 01: 36
    The German multiple launch rocket system did not differ much from the Soviet counterparts, which apparently served as a prototype. But the development is completely German. In NATO countries, such weapons were considered unpromising due to low accuracy and only the Bundeswehr became interested in such weapons. But they tried to increase accuracy the use of rockets with an additional fire control system.
  3. 0
    5 November 2013 07: 24
    LARS-1 at the parade in Germany in 1969.
  4. 0
    5 November 2013 07: 29
    LARS-2 on a truck Man 7 tons.

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