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Military


ASTROS (Artillery SaTuration ROcket System)
Sajil-60

The Astros II multiple rocket launcher was the most profitable weapon produced by Avibrás. It can launch rockets of different caliber: SS-30 rockets up to thirty kilometers; SS-40 rockets, forty kilometers; and SS-60 rockets, sixty kilometers. In the 1980s, Avibrás sold an estimated sixty-six Astros II artillery systems to Iraq and an unspecified number to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar. Total sales of the Astros II between 1982 and 1987 reached US$1 billion. The Sajil-60 is an Iraqi license-built version of the Brazilian SS-60

The ASTROS (Artillery SaTuration ROcket System) II is a modular multiple rocket launcher capable of firing three different caliber wrap-around fin rockets (for improved accuracy) using several types of warheads. The system was developed and manufactured by Avibras Aerospatial S.A. of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The universal modules enable the system to accomplish fire missions with ranges from 9 to 90 kilometers.

The ASTROS II system consists of the following vehicles:

  • Universal Multiple Launcher (AV-LMU),
  • Ammunition Supply Vehicle (AV-RMD),
  • Command and Control Vehicle/Fire Control Unit (AV-VCC),
  • Mobile Workshops (for field maintenance), and the
  • Optional Electronic Fire Control Unit (AV-UCF).

All of the ASTROS II vehicles use the Tectran Enginharia 10 ton, 6x6, wheeled vehicle chassis. A typical firing battery consists of six AV-LMU launchers, six AV-RMD ammunition supply vehicles, and one AV-VCC fire control unit. A AV-VCC command and control unit and two mobile workshops are found at battalion level. The battalion level AV-VCC can coordinate and direct fire missions for three ASTROS batteries. The AV-RMD ammunition supply vehicle carries two complete loads for each launcher.

Avibrás Aerospace Industry (Avibrás Indústria Aeroespacial S.A.--Avibrás) was established in 1961. Engineers associated formerly with the CTA created Avibrás as a private aerospace firm. In 1964 Avibrás was granted the Sonda I rocket contract and since then has been the major firm involved with the development of sounding rockets (Sondas II, III, and IV). It also has taken a leading role in developing missiles. In the 1980s and early 1990s, Avibrás worked almost exclusively with the manufacturing of rockets and multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS), such as the Astros II, in addition to developing antitank and antiship missiles. At its peak, Avibrás employed 6,000 people.

Brazil emerged as one of the leading armaments exporters in the early 1980s. The largest regional market was the Middle East, to which Brazil sold roughly half of its arms from 1977 through 1988, with nearly half of all Brazilian arms transfers from 1985 to 1989 going to Iraq. In the late 1980s, Avibrás was involved in the development of the SS-150 (based on the Astros-II), the SS-300, and the SS-1000 (based largely on the Sonda rockets). However, with the end of the Iran-Iraq war and the decline in state support, the Brazilian arms industry collapsed in the late 1980s, and by the mid-1990s had virtually disappeared. All Avibrás programs were "put on hold" in January 1990, when the company filed for bankruptcy. Its employee roster had fallen from 6,000 to 900, and the company had US$90 million worth of unsold rockets. Avibrás has paid off much of its debt, and is the most viable of the three large companies. Today, it is involved in the production of primarily civilian products, and seemingly is a successful case of conversion.

In 1999 the Brazilian Army, represented by the Direction of Armament and the Ammunition, finalized a contract with Aerospace Avibrás S/A for acquisition of the Astros II. The contract includes the maintenance of the equipment beyond the supply of tools and spare parts.


MAIN ARMAMENT AMMUNITION
NameSS-30 SS-40 SS-60 SS-80
Caliber, Type127-mm Frag-HE 180-mm Frag-HE300-mm Frag-HE300-mm Frag-HE
Load 32 16 44
Indirect Fire Range (m)    
Minimum Range 9000 15,000 20,000 22,000
Maximum Range 30,000 35,000 60,000 90,000
Warhead Weight (kg) INA INA INA INA
Rocket Length (m) 3.9 4.2 5.6 5.6
Maximum Velocity INA INA INA INA
Fuze Type INA INA INA INA
Other Ammunition Types None DPICM, HE-Incendiary, Antitank mines, Antipersonnel mines, Runway Denial DPICM, HE-Incendiary, Antitank mines, Antipersonnel mines, Runway Denial DPICM, HE-Incendiary, Antitank mines, Antipersonnel mines, Runway Denial



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