The Bateleur is a South African self-propelled multiple rocket launcher. It is a 127mm system with a wheeled launcher vehicle, disposable pods, and fire control equipment developed by Denel Land Systems.[2] Based on a mine protected Kwêvoël 100 10 ton 6x6 carrier. Its mission is to engage in counter-battery strikes against hostile artillery and air defences as far as 36 km (22 mi) away. Other potential warheads include cluster and an anti-tank mine dispenser.[3] The weapon can fire up to 40 127mm pre-fragmented high explosive warheads to ranges of 7.5km to 36km at sea level singly or using ripple fire, firing up to 1 rocket per second. Reload can take less than 10 minutes and in/out-of-action time is one and two minutes respectively. The system is supported by a Kwêvoël 100 ammunition truck carrying 96 rockets and crew who help with the reloading.[4]
| Bateleur | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Multiple rocket launcher |
| Place of origin | South Africa |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1979–present[1] |
| Used by | South African National Defence Force |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Denel, Somchem |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) |
| Length | 8.53 m (28 ft 0 in) |
| Width | 2.425 m (7 ft 11.5 in) |
| Height | 3.125 m (10 ft 3.0 in) |
| Crew | 5 |
| Cartridge | HE-Fragmentation: 2.68 m (8 ft 10 in) |
| Caliber | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Barrels | 40 |
| Rate of fire | 1 per sec |
| Effective firing range | 36 km (22 mi) |
| Engine | V10 diesel 268hp |
| Transmission | ZF 56-65 Synchromesh |
| Suspension | Kwêvoël 100 10-ton 6x6 truck |
Operational range | 1,000 km (620 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 90 km/h (56 mph) (road) |
The system was previously called the Valkiri MkII as it was developed from the Valkiri MRLS which is itself based on the Soviet BM-21 Grad.
Variants
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- Bateleur FV2 (current version): 40 launch tubes mounted on an armoured Samil 100 6x6 truck.
- Modified version to fire 122mm rockets
-
Bateleur 40 tube Multiple Rocket Launcher on SAMIL 100 armoured four door cab truck -
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Operators
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References
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- ^ "Denel FV2 Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)". defenceweb.co.za. 27 January 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ^ "Denel FV2 Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)". 27 January 2011.
- ^ ARG. "Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System | Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
- ^ "Denel FV2 Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)". 27 January 2011.
- ^ Leon Engelbrecht (27 January 2011). "Denel FV2 Bateleur Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)". Retrieved 5 November 2014.