Ukraine shows off its new powerful RM-70 ‘Vampire’ rocket launcher

Ukrainian soldiers are currently using the “Vampire” rocket artillery received from the Czech Republic, Defense reported in a video published on social media.

RM-70 is a 122mm caliber multiple rocket launcher designed and manufactured by the Czech Republic and is highly appreciated for its tactical and technical features.

The Czech Republic has donated at least 20 RM-70 multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) to the Ukrainian army at the end of April recently.

The RM-70 is also known as the Raketomet vz.70 and is the heavyweight variant of the BM-21 Grad. Therefore, the RM-70 also uses the Grad-type 122mm rocket as used in the world’s most popular Soviet rocket artillery BM-21.

The structure of the RM-70 includes a rig of 40 122 mm rocket launchers mounted on the chassis of the Tatra 813 armored truck (8×8), the 6-person combat crew is protected by armor and is safe from light infantry weapons and shrapnel. , cannon.

This rocket launcher can fire both cluster munitions and individual projectiles, mainly attacking by indirect fire. It is designed to create and cover large-scale concentrated fires with high-fragmentation explosive ammunition.

The vehicle carrying the launcher has a maximum speed of 80 km/h; operating range 600 km; able to climb 60% slope; walking on the slope slope of 40%; overcome obstacles 0.6 m high; crossing a trench 1.5 m wide and wading 1.4 m deep.

The biggest advantage of the RM-70 over the BM-21 Grad is that it adds a rack containing 40 rockets installed between the cabin and the launcher. This design enables fast reload speed (less than 2 minutes) to shorten the time between two rounds. Besides, the RM-70 is also equipped with a new generation of fire control system and navigation equipment. In addition, the RM-70 is also equipped with a 7.62 mm machine gun mounted on the roof of the cabin to serve the purpose of self-defense against enemy infantry.