RM-70 multiple rocket launcher
| RM-70 | |
|---|---|
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 | 20 km (12 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) |
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).
Overview
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
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.
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.
Variants
Czech Republic and Slovakia
- RM-70 - Basic model, as described.[3]
- RM-70/85 - Unarmored version of the RM-70, based on the Tatra T815 VPR9 8x8.1R truck with 265 hp engine T3-930-51. Combat weight: 26.1 t. Sometimes called RM-70M.[4]
- RM-70/85M - Modernised vehicle with new fire control and navigation equipment, can use a new type of rocket with a range of 36 km. Slovakia has ordered 50 upgrade packages.[5]
- RM-70 Modular - In December 2000, the
- Vz.92 "Križan" VMZ (velkokapacitní mobilní zatarasovač) - Engineer vehicle, based on the Tatra T815 36.265 with a lightly armoured cabin. The vehicle comes in different configurations, the standard being a 40-round rocket launcher (for "Kuš" and "Krizhna-R" rockets), a mechanical mine layer for anti-tank mines (PT Mi-U or PT Mi-Ba-III) and two dispensers for anti-personnel mines (PP Mi-S1).[7]
- RM-70 Vampire - Upgraded version with digital fire control. gearbox, with semi-automatic Tatra Norgen drive system and an additional gearbox Tatra 2.30TRS. It has a range of around 1,000 km (620 mi) and a top speed of 90 km/h (56 mph) with an armored and NBC-protected crew cabin.[9]
Operators
Current operators
Angola − 40 as of 2023[update][10]
Azerbaijan − 18 RM-70 Vampire as of 2023[update][11]
Cambodia − 20 RM-70 as of 2023[update][12]
Democratic Republic of the Congo[13]
Ecuador − 6 as of 2024.[14]
Finland − 34 RM-70 as of 2023[update][15]
Georgia − 18 RM-70 as of 2023[update][16]
Greece − 108 RM-70 as of 2023[update][17]
Indonesia − 9 RM-70 and 8 RM-70 Vampire used as of 2023[update]. Used by the Marines[18]
Nigeria − 7 RM-70 as of 2023[update][19]
North Korea − Unknown number purchased from second-hand sources during the Cold War and domestically produced[20][21]
Poland − 29 RM-70 as of 2023[update][22]
Rwanda − 5 as of 2023[update][23]
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic[24]
Slovakia − 4 RM-70 and 26 RM-70/85 Modular as of 2023[update][25]
Sri Lanka − 22 RM-70 as of 2023[update][26]
Turkmenistan[27]
Uganda − 6 as of 2023[update][28]
Ukraine − 20 RM-70 Vampire as of 2023[update][29] At least 4 destroyed or damaged as March 2024.[30]
Zimbabwe − 60 RM-70 as of 2023[update][31]
Former operators
Bulgaria − 12 imported in 2009[32] (re-export, not commissioned in the Bulgarian Army)
Czech Republic − 60 RM-70 (decommissioned as of end of 2011 without replacement)[citation needed]- Czechoslovakia − Passed on to the Czech Republic and Slovakia after its dissolution[citation needed]
East Germany − 265 RM-70 received between 1975 and 1989;[33] 158 delivered to Greece after the collapse of East Germany and 36 sold to Finland in 1991[33]
Germany − Inherited from East Germany, donated to Greece.[34]
2011 Libyan civil war[35]
Uruguay[36]
See also
Bibliography
- ISBN 978-1032508955.
References
- ^ RM-70 MULTIPLE ROCKET LAUNCHES WITH POLISARIO FORCES AAIN UM SERUSA POLISARIO CAMP, WESTERN SAHARA (SANITIZED) (Report). Central Intelligence Agency. March 26, 1982. Archived from the original on January 23, 2017.
- ^ "Československé vojenství - Vaše dotazy - Odpovědi na dotazy 1231. - 1245". Vojenstvi.cz. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
- ^ "CZK - vz. 70 (122mm raketomet) :: Československo / ČR / SR (CZK/CZE/SVK) :: Raketomety a taktické raketové systémy". Forum.valka.cz. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
- ^ "CZK - vz. 70/85 (122mm raketomet) :: Československo / ČR / SR (CZK/CZE/SVK) :: Raketomety a taktické raketové systémy". Forum.valka.cz. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
- ^ "SVK - RM 70/85M (122mm raketomet) :: Československo / ČR / SR (CZK/CZE/SVK) :: Raketomety a taktické raketové systémy". Forum.valka.cz. 26 May 2004. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
- ^ "SVK/DEU - RM 70/85 Modular (122mm / 227mm raketomet) :: Československo / ČR / SR (CZK/CZE/SVK) :: Raketomety a taktické raketové systémy". Forum.valka.cz. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
- ^ "CZK - VMZ vz.92 Križan (velkokapacitní mobilní zatarasovač) :: Československo / ČR / SR (CZK/CZE/SVK) :: Speciální nástavby". Forum.valka.cz. 9 June 2004. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
- ^ "TATRA engine :: Tatratrucks.com". www.tatratrucks.com.
- ^ Excalibur Army offers a modern version of the RM-70 rocket artillery system - Armyrecognition.com, 13 April 2016
- ^ IISS 2023, p. 433.
- ^ IISS 2023, p. 173.
- ^ IISS 2023, p. 236.
- ^ IISS 2023, p. 447.
- ISBN 978-1032780047.
- ^ IISS 2023, p. 88.
- ^ IISS 2023, p. 177.
- ^ IISS 2023, p. 98.
- ^ IISS 2023, p. 256.
- ^ IISS 2023, p. 470.
- ^ Analysis: New combat vehicles and tanks at military parade in North Korea by Army Recognition Archived 2017-04-18 at the Wayback Machine - Armyrecognition.com, 17 April 2017
- ^ "N.Korea's 'conservative' display contrasts with past WPK celebrations | NK News". 10 October 2015.
- ^ IISS 2023, p. 121.
- ^ IISS 2023, p. 472.
- ISBN 978-1-912866-29-8.
- ^ IISS 2023, p. 131.
- ^ IISS 2023, p. 289.
- ^ IISS 2023, p. 200.
- ^ IISS 2023, p. 485.
- ^ IISS 2023, p. 202.
- ^ Oryx. "Attack On Europe: Documenting Ukrainian Equipment Losses During The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine". Oryx. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
- ^ IISS 2023, p. 488.
- UNODA. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
- ^ a b c "Trade Registers". armstrade.sipri.org. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
- ^ Military Balance 2016, p. 104.
- ISBN 978-1-85743-606-8.
- ^ "UNROCA (United Nations Register of Conventional Arms)". www.unroca.org.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to RM-70.
- Diehl BGT Defence RM-70 Modular
- RM-70 M1972 122mm MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System on armyrecognition.com
- ISBN 9781857438352.
- Deagel, RM-70 Archived 2006-12-07 at the Wayback Machine
- Army Recognition, RM-70
- Ministry of Defence of Czech Republic, Rocket Launcher 122 mm type 70
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