RM-51
Self-propelled multiple rocket launcher
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The RM-51 (Raketomet vzor 1951) multiple rocket launcher was a Czechoslovak Army alternative of the BM-13 multiple rocket launcher developed in the 1950s.
| RM-51 multiple rocket launcher | |
|---|---|
RM-51, mounted on ZIL-157 truck, displayed at the National Museum of Military History in Sofia, Bulgaria. | |
| Type | Self-propelled multiple rocket launcher |
| Place of origin | Czechoslovakia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1956–late 1990s |
| Used by | See users |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Škoda, Zbrojovka Brno and VTÚ |
| Designed | 1949–1956 |
| Manufacturer | Škoda |
| Variants | vz. 51, M-51, R-2 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 7.575 tonnes |
| Length | 7 m (23 ft 0 in) |
| Width | 2.38 m (7 ft 10 in) |
| Height | 2.18 m (7 ft 2 in) |
| Crew | 6 |
| Caliber | Diameter: 130 mm (5.1 in) Length: .8 m (2 ft 7 in) Weight: 24.2 kg (53 lb)[1] |
| Barrels | 32 (4 rows) |
| Elevation | +50°/0° |
| Traverse | 240° (120° left/right) |
| Rate of fire | 32 rockets in 12.4 seconds (2 min. reloading time) |
| Muzzle velocity | 420 m/s (1,400 ft/s) |
| Maximum firing range | 8.2 km (5.1 mi) |
Main armament | ORNNG missiles with NZ-60V warhead |
| Suspension | 6×6 wheeled |
| Maximum speed | 40 km/h (25 mph) (road) 10 km/h (6.2 mph) (cross-country) |
Variants
Operators
Austria – 18 delivered in 1974, designated M-51.[2]
Bulgaria – 24 delivered in 1963.[3]
Democratic Republic of the Congo – 6 in service as of 2021.[4]
Indonesia – In 2012, Indonesian Army retrofitted their RM-51, including replacing the original Praga V3S truck with Reo M35A2 truck.[5][6]
Czechoslovakia
Cuba – 20 delivered between 1965 and 1966.[3]
Egypt – 50 delivered between 1957 and 1958.[3]
Libya – 36 delivered between 1976 and 1977.[3]
Romania – 58 delivered between 1956 and 1965.[3] Designated R-2,[7] the launchers were later mounted on ZIL-157 trucks.[8]
Gallery
Vintage vz. 51 on Praga V3S chassis
Egyptian vz. 51 during Six-Day War
Captured Egyptian vz. 51 at parade in Jerusalem, 1968
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See also
- RM-70 multiple rocket launcher – the successor of RM-51
