The West German Army developed the Light Artillery Rocket System (LARS) during the 1960s, eventually adopted it for operational service in 1969. The vehicles were self-propelled rocket projectors in the same vein as the classic Soviet rocket trucks seen throughout World War 2 (1939-1945). The LARS mated the Magirus-Deutz Jupiter line of 6x6 wheeled trucks with a positional two-launcher system over the rear flatbed section. Each launcher held eighteen rockets of 110mm caliber for a grand total of 36 ready-to-fire rockets. A pair of Contraves Fieldguard radars formed a portion of the Fire Control System (FCS). The resulting product then became the "LARS-1".
A resupply vehicle was part of the LARS-1 deployment and carried an additional 144 rocket reloads. Reloading was about a 15 minute process. When preparing to fire, the vehicle was stationary and braced by supporting legs lowered at the rear of the chassis. The launcher unit could then be trained (power-driven) on a target area, elevated for the necessary range, and its launch tubes cleared in seconds. Each rocket weighed 77lbs and could feature HE-FRAG (High-Explosive, FRAGmentation), SUB-MUN (SUBMUNitions), and smoke payloads. Engagement ranges peaked at 14 kilometers with a minimum listed safe range of 6 kilometers. Improved rocket types were then introduced that increased ranges out to 25 kilometers. The crew cab was completely armored against small arms fire.
From the LARS-1 endeavor emerged its successor, the LARS-2, which brought about greater rocket capabilities atop a MAN 6x6 truck chassis. LARS-2 systems were then, themselves, replaced by the tracked American M270 Multiple-Launch Rocket System (MLRS) adopted by the German Army.
In the German, Light Artillery Rocket System becomes "Leichtes Artillerie Raketen System".
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Fire Support / Assault / Breaching
Support allied forces through direct / in-direct fire, assault forward positions, and / or breach fortified areas of the battlefield.
Length
26.9 ft 8.2 m
Width
8.2 ft 2.5 m
Height
9.0 ft 2.75 m
Weight
36,376 lb 16,500 kg
Tonnage
18.2 tons LIGHT
(Showcased structural values pertain to the base LARS-1 (Leichtes Artillerie Raketen System) production variant. Length typically includes main gun in forward position if applicable to the design)
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West Germany
