ASTROS II Rocket Launcher System

Full Specifications

ASTROS II Tactical Rocket Launcher System

The ASTROS II (Artillery Saturation Rocket System) is a versatile and modern rocket artillery system developed in Brazil by Avibras Industria Aeroespacial. Designed for rapid, long-range fire support, ASTROS II provides armed forces with flexible, high-volume rocket strikes against strategic targets while maintaining mobility and survivability on the battlefield.

Manufacturer and Purpose

Developed by Avibras, the ASTROS II system entered service in the late 1980s and has since been adopted by multiple countries, including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Qatar. Its primary role is to deliver precise and concentrated firepower over medium to long ranges, supporting conventional artillery and armored units in high-intensity conflict scenarios.

Capabilities and Technology

The system features a modular launcher capable of firing rockets of varying calibers (127 mm, 180 mm, 300 mm, and 450 mm), allowing operational flexibility. Mounted on wheeled 6×6 or 8×8 vehicles, ASTROS II can rapidly relocate after firing, minimizing exposure to counter-battery fire. It integrates a digital fire-control system with GPS and inertial navigation, enabling improved targeting accuracy and semi-automated launch sequences.

Rockets achieve ranges from 9 km for smaller calibers up to 300 km for larger, guided variants. The system supports multiple warhead types, including high-explosive, fragmentation, and precision-guided munitions. This versatility makes ASTROS II suitable for suppressing enemy artillery, neutralizing fortified positions, and providing area-denial capabilities.

Operational Use

ASTROS II has seen deployment in various military exercises and peacekeeping missions worldwide. Its mobility, rapid setup, and shoot-and-scoot capability allow commanders to execute fire missions efficiently while minimizing logistical strain. The platform’s modularity ensures that it can be integrated with existing command-and-control networks for coordinated operations.

Overall, the ASTROS II Rocket Launcher System combines range, accuracy, and adaptability in a wheeled rocket artillery platform, making it a key asset for modern armies seeking scalable firepower and tactical flexibility.