Ranger 800 6x6 (MSR Kusza)

PiekarzV2 · October 11, 2025, 6:21pm

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Ranger 800 6x6 with MSR (Mobile Missile System) Kusza

History

Unveiled during MSPO 2011, MSR Kusza (Crossbow) was created as an initiative of the Telesystem-Mesko and specialists from the Quantum Electronics Team of the Optoelectronic Institute of the Military University of Technology.

The creators of the Crossbow set themselves the following tasks: creating a lightweight anti-aircraft system that could also be transported by air, including helicopters, with a carrier that would allow movement in almost any terrain, increasing the probability of destroying a target by placing two ready-to-fire missiles on the launcher, ensuring the system could independently detect air targets using passive methods, day and night, and also by being able to obtain information from external command systems.

The demonstrator aroused great interest, especially among anti-aircraft officers of the airmobile units of the Polish Army: the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade, the 6th Airborne Brigade and the 21st Mountain Infantry Brigade. This confirmed to the creators of the Crossbow the advisability of the adopted concept and the continuation of work on the system.

Its unique feature was its carrier, which made it arguably the smallest and lightest self-propelled anti-aircraft missile system in the world at the time. It utilized a lightweight Polaris Ranger 800 6x6 off-road vehicle, meeting all the required mobility requirements and being a close relative of quad bikes. Its curb weight was just over 700 kg, it could carry almost 800 kg of payload, and its dimensions were 348 x 152 x 193 cm (L x W x H). Behind the seats of the two crew members: the driver and the gunner, covered by an anti-rollover roll cage, there is a cargo area on which a platform with all the elements of the missile system is mounted, the total weight of which is approximately 300 kg (of which the box and launcher are approximately 110 kg, and the rest are missiles and equipment), adding to this the weight of two soldiers with equipment (~220 kg) gave a total of about 1220 kg, which is really not much

Demonstrator during tests

After successful traction and durability tests in 2012, the first prototype came out with modifications adding another 100 kg to total weight. These included the cargo bed, which was slightly lengthened, although after shortening the tubes at its rear, its overall dimensions ultimately remained unchanged. A cover was also added to protect the vehicle’s cab from exhaust gases from the missile launch engines. The rocket platform itself was also modified, deploying and folding mechanism was changed and structure got reinforced. An IFF system was integrated and adapted to fire the newer Piorun missiles. Finally the operator’s position became more ergonomic and comfortable.

Characteristics

Armament

2 missile launchers

33061200×900 278 KB
- Ammo capacity: 2 + 4 under launcher
- Elevation: -10°/+60°
Ammo:
- GROM
  
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  - Projectile weight: 10,25 kg
  - Warhead weight: 1,27 kg
  - Explosive type: HMX
  - Projectile length: 1596 m
  - Projectile caliber: 72 mm
  - Max velocity: 650 m/s
  - Avg velocity: 580 m/s
  - Min / Max range: 500 / 5500 m
  - Min / Max altitude: 10 / 3500 m
  - Fuze: Impact
  - Guidance: IR
- PIORUN
  
  Fq9cuzQh2QaofT2P6OwzhWW4gpNfBOK5FZi3jOc82070×735 189 KB
  - Projectile weight: 10,5 kg
  - Warhead weight: 1,82 kg
  - Explosive type: HMX
  - Projectile length: 1596 m
  - Projectile caliber: 72 mm
  - Max velocity: 660 m/s
  - Avg velocity: 560 m/s
  - Min / Max range: 400 / 6500 m
  - Min / Max altitude: 10 / 4000 m
  - Fuze: Impact, Proximity
  - Guidance: Two-band IR