LAROM
Romanian/Israeli multiple rocket launcher
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The LAROM is a Romanian native-made, highly mobile, multiple rocket launcher, attached to a DAC-25.360 6x6 truck, in service with the Romanian Land Forces, built in collaboration with Israel.[1] Currently there are 54 systems in service, all operated by the 8th Mixed Artillery Brigade. Most likely it was influenced by the BM-21 Grad 122 mm multiple rocket launcher (MRL) system which entered service with the Soviet Army in 1963 also utilizing a six-by-six truck chassis fitted with a bank of 40 122mm launch tubes arranged in a rectangular shape that can be turned away from the unprotected cabin.
| LAROM | |
|---|---|
 LAROM MLRS at the 2009 National Day Parade | |
| Type | Multiple Rocket Launcher |
| Place of origin | Romania, Israel |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 13.7 tonnes |
| Length | 7.35 m |
| Width | 2.40 m |
| Height | 3.10 m |
| Crew | 5 |
Main armament | 26×LAR Mk.4 160mm rockets or 40×122mm rockets |
Armament
The LAROM standard launch pod containers hold 13 LAR Mk IV rockets or 20 GRAD rockets, with two pods on a launcher.[1]
The LAROM can operate with the standard 122 mm rockets, as well as with the more advanced 160 mm rocket, with a strike range between 20 and 45 km. The GRAD 122 mm rocket is utilised to suppress and annihilate concentrated targets. It has an 18 kg high-explosive warhead, a range of approximately 20 km and can be fired in salvos of up to 2 rounds per second.[1]
The LAR-160 160mm rockets employ composite solid propellants. The rocket is spin-stabilizing in flight via wraparound stabilizing fins deployed upon rocket exiting launcher. The Mk IV rocket is capable of taking various warheads and commonly fitted with either a HE-COFRAM type or a Cluster munition warhead. The cluster warhead operates by a remotely set electronic time-fuse which opens the bomblet canister at the calculated height to give area coverage of about 31,400 m2 for each cluster warhead. The LAR Mk IV has a minimum range of 10 km and maximum range of 45 km and can be fired in salvos of up to 1 round every 1.8 seconds.
Gallery
LAROM MLRS on DAC-665 chassis
LAROM MLRS on ROMAN 26.410 chassis
LAROM MLRS on ROMAN 26.410 chassis
LAROM MLRS on ROMAN 26.410 chassis
LAROM MLRS on ROMAN 26.410 chassis
LAROMs during a military exercise
See also
- LAR-160 – (Israel)
- BM-21 Grad – (Soviet Union)
- RM-70 multiple rocket launcher – (Czechoslovakia)
- M-77 Oganj – (Yugoslavia)
- T-122 Sakarya – (Turkey)
