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| light rocket artillery system |
The light rocket artillery system (LARS) is a vehicle-mounted German multiple rocket launcher designed for rapid, concentrated artillery fire, primarily developed in the 1960s to enhance battlefield rocket artillery capabilities.
Light Artillery Rocket System (LARS)
- Type: Multiple Rocket Launcher (MRL)
- Origin: West Germany
- Service History: Entered service with the German Bundeswehr in 1969 and was phased out by the late 1990s, replaced by the M270 MLRS.
- Role: Designed for the rapid concentration of fire on designated targets, acting as a mobile complement to traditional tube artillery.
- Chassis: Typically mounted on a wheeled 6x6 truck chassis (like the Magirus or MAN).
The German LARS (Light Artillery Rocket System), specifically the LARS-1 and its improved LARS-2 variant, used a fin-stabilized, unguided rocket.
Specification LARS I / II Rocket(110 mm)
- Caliber: 110 mm (4.3 in)
- Rocket Length: 2.26 m (7 ft 5 in)
- Total Weight: 35 kg (77 lb)
- Warhead Weight: 17.3 kg (38 lb)
- Warhead Types : * Fragmentation (DM-11)
- * Smoke (DM-15)
- * Submunitions (DM-711 AT-2 Anti-Tank Mines)
- Muzzle Velocity: 640 \text{ m/s} (2,100 ft/s)
- Max Range: 14 km (8.7 mi) for the standard rocket. Upgraded variants reached up to 25 km.
Historical Background and Design
The LARS was developed by the West German Army in the 1960s and entered service in 1969. It consists of multi-barrel rocket launchers mounted on a self-propelled vehicle, designed to deliver rapid, concentrated volleys of unguided rockets onto designated targets. The concept resembles earlier Soviet WWII-style rocket trucks but incorporates modern mobility and firing mechanisms tailored to Cold War-era military needs.
Technical Features
The launcher fires 110mm diameter artillery rockets that are spin-stabilized and powered by solid rocket fuel. These rockets are unguided but enable a rapid, saturating fire effect over a target area. The system's mounted launcher is trainable, meaning it can be aimed horizontally to engage targets at different bearings.
The launcher fires 110mm diameter artillery rockets that are spin-stabilized and powered by solid rocket fuel. These rockets are unguided but enable a rapid, saturating fire effect over a target area. The system's mounted launcher is trainable, meaning it can be aimed horizontally to engage targets at different bearings.
Operational Role
LARS serves as a light artillery rocket platform, combining mobility with firepower. Its ability to deliver rapid barrages made it suitable for supporting infantry and armored units by overwhelming enemy positions with rocket fire. The system emphasizes speed in both firing and relocation to avoid counter-battery fire.
LARS serves as a light artillery rocket platform, combining mobility with firepower. Its ability to deliver rapid barrages made it suitable for supporting infantry and armored units by overwhelming enemy positions with rocket fire. The system emphasizes speed in both firing and relocation to avoid counter-battery fire.
Broader Context
While LARS is a historical system, multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) have since evolved considerably, with modern variants incorporating guided rockets, longer ranges, and more sophisticated targeting. Systems like HIMARS and the LAR-160 (a 160mm rocket system with significantly longer range) represent technological successors in light artillery rocketry.
While LARS is a historical system, multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) have since evolved considerably, with modern variants incorporating guided rockets, longer ranges, and more sophisticated targeting. Systems like HIMARS and the LAR-160 (a 160mm rocket system with significantly longer range) represent technological successors in light artillery rocketry.
This information provides a foundational understanding of the Light Artillery Rocket. System and its role in artillery history, without engaging in operational or sensitive military specifics.
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