TYPE 1989 SHOTOKAN
PRICE: N$D 72 000 000 per battery (all systems included).
Type 1989 Shotokan - named after popular Nifonese taijutsu style - is a multi barrelled rocket launcher system constructed by Murakami Heavy Industries which entered service in 1989 and has been extensively upgraded ever since. Currently Type 1989 is fielded in corps - level artillery brigades, striking terror into strategic grouping of communist and radical buddhist forces. This system features both 300mm and 400mm rockets.
The system itself is mounted on Ueda 720 truck, which is very popular platform for Nifonese military systems famed for it's ability to operate in any terrain as well as strong and durable construction with a total weight of 43 tons. Accompanying the launch vehicle is always an ammunition crane utilizing the same platform. Using Ueda 720 permits reaching speeds of up to 60 kilometers on the road, autonomous operation up to 850 kilometers without refuelling and traversing 30* elevation or one meter tall obstacle. Additional equipment includes a central tyre-pressure regulation system that automatically adjusts the tyre pressure to suit the terrain being crossed. Each truck is fully NBC protected and possess night vision devices for the crew. Type 1989 can be fully deployed for fire within 3 minutes, and likewise fold itself within one minute and leave the area to avoid counterfire and re-load on a different site. Reloading the system takes 18 minutes.
Other platforms may be available upon the client's request.
In case of 300mm ammunition, "Shotokan" can field up to 10 missiles at once. Each of them weights around 800 kilograms and is over seven meters long on the average, and capable of carrying several kinds of payoad including HE-FRAG, anti tank or minelets. Each missile rests within a self contained tube container that can be easily exchanged, with 5 missiles housed within a container. Responsible for the propulsion is a solid fuel motor, which gives the missiles ability to fire anywhere from 20 to 290 kilometers. Guidance to the missiles is provided by inertial systems coupled with AIPN ( Axis International Positioning Network) guidance, however, on clients demand upon order this may be replaced by different system (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou). The missiles can be launched within 38 seconds and devastate an area of 67 hectares. Circular probability error even at longest ranges is contained within 30 meters.
The following options are availible for the missile's payload:
- A cluster munition fielding 72 × 1.75 kg, each with 96 fragments.
- An anti tank fragmentation munition with 5 × 15 kg anti tank bomblet - the bomblet is detached from the missile, then locates the tank through milimeter wave radar and fires a projectile at the tank's top armor.
- A cluster mine munition with 25 × 5 kg anti tank mines.
- A HEAT munition.
- A thermobaric munition.
- HE - FRAG munition.
In case of 400mm ammunition choice, 8 are fielded. This mssile has range of 350 km, and features passive homing guidance.
Type 1989 MRLS has been always known for innovative methods of target acquisition. Fire is controlled by Murakami Electronics MET - 7 Fire control computer (FCC) linking every single MRLS into one common system; allowing each unit in battery to fire in separate direction and still successfully engage the assigned target. Each launcher is equipped with such computer, linking it into the command post, which has more advanced and complex version. The network is decentralized enough for MRLS to fire even when command post gets hit, tough with greatly reduced effectiveness. Type 12 can operate in various modes: Manual, stand alone and autonomous.
General Battery consists of:
- Six Launchers: equipped in various missiles listed below.
- Six reloading trucks: UEDA 720 carrying ammunition.
- Three replenishment vehicles: for constant resupply
- Two command posts: one reserve in case of destruction of first one. Command post carries a fire control computer and meteorological radar.
- TA - CHI 1 Mark 7 Model 2 radar: acting as counter artillery fire and support radar for the battery.
- TA - CHI 0 Mark 2 man portable battlefield surveillance radar: serving to detect the closing enemy, thus providing protection.
- A LD8T Surveillance Drone: serving to coordinate artillery fire.