- Yes
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Robotsystem 70 Vehicle Launched Missile
Summary
The Robotsystem 70 Vehicle Launched Missile, or RBS 70 VLM for short, was an attempt by Bofors to sell a self-propelled version of their RBS 70 MANPADS. This was done by attaching an RBS 70 launcher with some missiles on the back of a 1985 model Land Rover 110 Pickup. It would gameplay-wise probably be the closest to the Type 93 out of the vehicles currently in the game, although it would have no FCS of any kind and thus rely entirely on mouse guidance to hit targets.
History
On the 25th of August 1987, Bofors purchased a 1985 model Land Rover 110 Pickup from the British Ministry of Defence which then was approved for Swedish roads and given the licence plate NDF574. Before the exhibition, they then took this Land Rover and bolted a piece of metal to cover over the flatbed, and then bolted an RBS 70 launcher together with two metal plates on top of that piece of metal. This vehicle was then designated as the Robotsystem 70 Vehicle Launched Missile or RBS 70 VLM for short.
In 1992, the biggest demonstration of defence systems in the history of Sweden took place with the Bofors Demo 92 exhibition. This demonstration had visitors from 33 different countries and took place in under three days. On the 15th of September 1992, on the first day of the demonstrations, Bofors displayed the different anti-air systems which they had developed in an attempt to attract further customers. The systems they displayed were the RBS 90, CV90 Chameleon, and the RBS 70 VLM. After driving to the firing position, the RBS 70 VLM successfully shot down an 8 m long towed sleeve target, travelling at a speed of 90 m/s at a distance of 2800 m and a height of 2200 m.
RBS 70 VLM moving to the firing position on the 15th of September 1992 with a canvas cover covering up the launcher.
Features
Hull
The hull of the RBS 70 VLM is a 1985 model Land-Rover 110 Pickup which is powered by a 2,25-litre petrol engine providing it with 75 horsepower, which can pull the vehicle to a top speed of 113 km/h. The hull has no protection whatsoever against any small arms fire or fragmentation due to this being a light civilian pickup truck. It is a regular civilian pickup truck, except the flatbed at the back has an RBS 70 launcher and two racks for extra missiles bolted on top of the flatbed.
Regular 1985 model Land Rover 110 Pickup.
Armaments
The RBS 70 VLM is armed with an RBS 70 launcher which fires the Robot 70 series of laser beam-riding missiles. This is the same armament that currently exists on the Lvrbv 701 already in the game, however, the RBS 70 mk 2 missiles which the Lvrbv 701 uses would be unavailable due to the time differences as the MK 2 was designed after the RBS 70 VLM stopped existing as a vehicle. The RBS70 mk 0 / 1 missiles would, however, be available, with the sole difference that the MK 1 goes slightly faster (550 m/s compared to 525 m/s) and can be guided when further off to the side of the aiming point compared to the MK 0. It is however theoretically possible for the vehicle to use both the RBS 70 mk 2 and BOLIDE missiles, it is just that the vehicle never existed at the same time as these two missiles.
Regular RBS 70 firing unit.
RBS 70 missile.
In War Thunder
In War Thunder the RBS 70 VLM would act sort of like a Swedish Type 93, but without any kind of FCS, and with RBS 70 missiles instead of stingers. It would also be a quite hard vehicle to use as whilst the missiles are mouse guided, you have no way to lock onto any kind of aircraft, and would rely on skill to accurately track and hit fast-moving targets. As such, this vehicle would probably be best suited for shooting down early ATGM helicopters sitting far back outside SPAA range whilst not manoeuvring much. It carries a total of 6 or 8 missiles with one in the launcher, two by the sides of the launcher, and an additional 3 - 5 in the trunk underneath.
Additional ammo stored in the trunk under the bolted-on plate. (Under the red line, behind the red square)
Regular 1985 model Land Rover 110 Pickup flatbed as a comparison.
Specifications
General:
- Crew: 2
- Driver
- Gunner
- Weight: 2345 kg
- Height: 2,035 m
- Width: 1,79 m
- Length: 4,6 m
- Wheelbase: 2,8 m
- Protection: None
Mobility:
- Top speed: 113 km/h
- Approach angle: 50°
- Departure angle: 35°
- Ground clearance: 215 mm
- Turning circle: 13,28 m
- Four-wheel drive
- Engine: 2.25L 11H
- 75 hp
- 55 kW
- 160 Nm @ 2000 rpm
- Transmission: LT77
- Manual
- 5 forward gears
- 1 reverse gear
Armaments:
- Robotsystem 70:
- Ammo:
- RBS 70 MK 0:
- General data:
- Length: 1320 mm
- Diametre 105 mm
- Weight: 15 kg
- Propulsion:
- Range: 5 km
- Altitude coverage: 3 km
- Top speed: 525 m/s
- Missile guidance time: 15 s
- Manoeuvrability: 15 G
- Guidance: Radar beam-riding
- Warhead:
- Proximity fuze
- Backup contact fuze
- General data:
- RBS 70 MK 1:
- General data:
- Length: 1320 mm
- Diametre 105 mm
- Weight: 15 kg
- Propulsion:
- Range: 5 km
- Altitude coverage: 3 km
- Top speed: 550 m/s
- Missile guidance time: 15 s
- Manoeuvrability: 15 G
- Guidance: Radar beam-riding
- Warhead:
- Proximity fuze
- Backup contact fuze
- General data:
- RBS 70 MK 0:
- Ammo count: 7 - 9
- Horizontal traverse: 360°
- Horizontal targeting speed: Unlimited (Dependant on the operators ability to turn the launcher since the horizontal traverse is done by the operator manually turning it)
- Vertical traverse:
- Elevation: 35°
- Depression: -5°
- Vertical targeting speed: Unlimited (Dependant on the operators ability to angle the launcher since the vertical traverse is done by the operator manually angling it)
- Ammo:
Sources
History and specifications of the RBS 70 VLM
History and specifications of the RBS 70 VLM
Specifications of the RBS 70 VLM
Specifications of the RBS 70 VLM
Specifications of the RBS 70 VLM
Specifications of the RBS 70 VLM
Specifications of the RBS 70 VLM
Additional images / videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsFxlq2UgkM
Video of the RBS 70 VLM demonstration 1992-09-15.
1985 model Land Rover 110 Pickup image-dump:
Source for images: https://www.2040-cars.com/Land-Rover/Defender/1985-land-rover-defender-diesel-110-original-left-hand-drive-rare–922641/
