CZK - PLR-8 (protilietadlový raketomet)

PLR-8 - 100 mm (later 105 mm) calibre anti-aircraft rocket launcher


After the end of World War II, various weapons projects were repeatedly tested on the territory of the Czechoslovak Republic, the basis of which was derived from German projects in which the armaments factories in the occupied territories participated.One of these projects was the anti-aircraft rocket launcher, which was intended to create a barrage against mass bombing raids of the air force. After the development of guided antiaircraft missiles ended in 1950 (due to lack of experts, Tasks 353-357), attention turned to the development of unguided missiles. Initially, it was the PR 12 rocket launcher (calibre 88 mm, altitude range 12,000 m, project No 9061 "Anti-aircraft rocket launcher up to 12 km"), developed by Konstrukta Brno?, which was to provide indirect fire of six missiles with electrical data transmission from the firing radar. The 88 mm calibre missile was to have a weight of 23.1 kg, an altitude range of 11500 m, a length of 2288 mm and an explosive weight of 2 kg. No radar igniter was envisaged, only the use of a timed igniter. In 1953, the terms of reference were changed and in April of that year Konštrukta Brno presented the design of the PLR-8 rocket launcher. This rocket launcher was to use 16 rockets of 100 mm calibre, initially on a towed two-wheeled chassis. The next design already envisaged the use of a double-axle chassis of the 57 mm R 10 gun. The rocket, stabilised by rotation, of 100 mm calibre and weighing 40 kg, was 2550 mm long.


Basic tactical-technical data of the rocket launcher:
Length: 4750 mm
Width: 1950 mm
Height: 2550 mm (marching position)
Weight: 2800 kg (3600 kg with rockets)
Range: full-circle (360° in 9 s)
Aim: -3° to 85° (90° in 4.5 s)


A chassis from a 57 mm R 10 gun was used as the lower launcher; a modified LC 38 launcher with sheet metal missile tubes was used during trials at the Hlboko range in June (July) 1955, which was sufficient for the task. The sighting mechanism was from the R 10 gun.


After the development of 100 mm rockets was stopped at Konstrukty Praha, it was decided to modify the rocket launcher to use 105 mm Konstrukty Trenčín rockets, with the rocket launcher extended to 2650 mm. An operator's cabin was placed between a pair of launchers (each containing 8 rockets). The missile launchers contained an automatic missile timing device (on the functional sample only on the right side).


Firing tests were carried out with 100 mm rockets and also with 105 mm rockets (28.11.- 1.12. 1955, firing range Ruskinovce, VVP Zaľubica). Both missiles failed the tests, on the contrary, the rocket launcher showed good characteristics during firing and also during movements (about 1000 km in the VVP and its surroundings, achieved speed of movement on roads about 60 km/hr, in the terrain about 30 km/hr).


The disadvantages of the project were too large dispersion of the missiles, their low velocity (which required the need to set up large over-runs) and overall uneconomical (same cost as an anti-aircraft gun, less efficiency and higher ammunition costs), the only advantage was the higher durability of the missile against the cannon barrel. In late 1955, development of the rocket launcher was suspended and the project was cancelled completely by the Army in May 1956.


Mgr. Martin Dubánek - Czechoslovak anti-aircraft rocket launchers of 105 mm calibre, Naše Vojsko, 2/2008 pp. 44-46, ISSN 0027-8211
URL : https://www.valka.cz/CZK-PLR-8-protilietadlovy-raketomet-t69863#245931 Version : 0
Ing. Martin Dubánek - Czechoslovak anti-aircraft rocket launchers of caliber of 105 mm, Our troops no 2/2008, ISSN: 0027-8211 (VÚA-VHA).
CZK - PLR-8 (protilietadlový raketomet) -


CZK - PLR-8 (protilietadlový raketomet) -


CZK - PLR-8 (protilietadlový raketomet) -


URL : https://www.valka.cz/CZK-PLR-8-protilietadlovy-raketomet-t69863#563638 Version : 0
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