Brazilian local media’s video with SIATT shows a new family of cruise missiles of different sizes, hinting at multiple developments for all service branches.
Clube Vanguarda’s interview with SIATT features a peek at what appears to be a new cruise missile family consisting of different sizes with identical layouts consisting of tail fins and stubby fixed wings.
Three models are clearly seen in the video: large diameter, large diameter with extended length (Possibly for long ranges), smaller diameter with considerable length, and a compact missile.
Different sizes of common layouts suggest Brazil is planning to equip its service branches with cruise missiles adapted for fitting into different platform types, as noted by Brazil-based SA Defensa.
Long-Range Cruise Missiles
Starting with the large-diameter missiles, it is possible that they are intended for ground-based and aircraft launch. Due to the reduced weight of the shorter missile, it might be for aircraft, while the longer one is likely meant for specialised ground launchers like trailers, if not trucks.
In addition to this, submarines might also be included in the projected platforms, through torpedo tube launch.
New Cruise Missile for Astros II MLRS?
On the other hand, the thin one, due to its considerably smaller diameter, might be integrated on Brazil’s indigenously produced Astros II MLRS, which is already capable of launching a wide variety of munitions, including artillery rockets, fibre-optic guided missiles, and MANSUP anti-ship missiles. Differently from MANSUP, the missile might allow packaging of multiple canisters per Astros II pod at the cost of warhead size.
Larger missiles, which appear to be counterparts to missiles like BGM-109 Tomahawk, are likely to have a diameter of 530 mm; going by this, the thinner missile appears to have a diameter in the 300+ mm range. Considering the fact that each Astros II pod carries two 300 mm rockets, up to four of these cruise missiles can be carried; this number would be eight for the high-capacity Astros III MLRS.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
