Matra and SNEB Rocket Pods

[pyro-manic]

I think that's the idea. The CRV-7 pods on the Army's Apaches can fire a flechette rocket, which is basically a big bundle of tungsten darts about the size of a pencil. The chap showing it to me at an airshow said it basically threw them out in a cone at about Mach 3. A whole pod full of those landing would make quite a mess...

That's a brilliant picture, by the way. Top-notch. 

[Weaver]

There's a similar flechette system for the 68mm rockets too; called something like "Multi-Dart" I think...

Ironically, CRV-7s are one of the most accurate unguided rockets, which is why the RAF and AAC now use them. They have a much more powerful motor than most 70mm RPs, giving them high acceleration and low flight time. The acceleration particularly matters from helos, where getting out from under the rotor downwash is important. The CRV-7s were originally bought for the RAF Jaguars during the Gulf War, because they were forbidden from using low-level tactics and the SNEBs had too great a dispersion from medium altitudes. Once the HUDWAC had been re-programmed for them (which was not straight-forward, apparently), they performed excellently, being described as "near-precision" by some Jag pilots.

[rickshaw]

CRV-7 was IIRC originally developed for use as an anti-armour weapon using a kinetic kill warhead.  They wanted a very high velocity rocket with a solid warhead, both cut down dispersion and increase penetration.  When the fUSSR started putting active-armour blocks on top of their vehicles, it was a logical choice (although those were actually designed more for use against artillery delivered anti-armour sub-munitions which relied on HEAT warheads).

[rickshaw]

Another interesting Matra Pod picture I just found:



Described as a "A Matra Type 116M rocket launcher mounted on a Fiat G.91, on display at the Luftwaffenmuseum der Bundeswehr, Berlin."   I haven't seen pictures before of that particular launcher.

[PR19_Kit]

Described as a "A Matra Type 116M rocket launcher mounted on a Fiat G.91, on display at the Luftwaffenmuseum der Bundeswehr, Berlin."   I haven't seen pictures before of that particular launcher.

That'll be at Gatow then. I must have walked right past it a few times, but I don't know one Matra pod from another I'm afraid. 

[Captain Canada]

Yes ! Thanks for pointing out this thread ! Those JL-100s are wicked....learn something new everyday ! Always nice to gather more 'ammo' for my planned Lightning builds !