- Yes
- No
General Info
The story of this unique MLRS system known as the FIROS 30 began during the late 1980’s. BPD (Bombrini Parodi Delfino) would begin development of a heavier MLRS, which used the 122.5mm rocket which had been under development by SNIA since 1975. BPD and SNIA at the time would be one of the leading national efforts in rocket propulsion devices, this woud in turn unsuprisingly lead them to begin to work in the defence sector. One of their most well known products included the FIROS (field rocket system) family, made to allow Italy to have a similar system that was already widely in use by the USSR. BPD would initially come out with the FIROS-6, which was mounted on several light platforms such as the Fiat Campagnola, Fiat 6614 and also the LWB Land Rover 4x4. Although it showed promise and several tests were conducted, the Italian army didnt adopt the FIROS-6. Shortly after that a new system would show up known as the FIROS-25, The System was first publically shown in June of 1979 at Le Bourget as a model on a CP-70 chassis, after testing of the launcher in Sardinia the first fully functional prototype of the FIROS-25 would be made in 1980. This prototype would be based on the Magirus Deutz 310 6x6 chassis, years later BPD would replace that chassis in favour of the Daimler Benz 2628. The FIROS-25 propelent types would be modified which gave the system a much higher range, this would then be known as the FIROS-30. The FIROS-25 only had a 25km range whilst the FIROS-30 had a range of up to 34km, but besides that they still both used the same launchers and warheads. The FIROS-30 actually caught the eye of the Italian army which at the time had saw the need of having such a system at their disposal. They were convinced after it was showcased at the Salto di Quirra test range, they liked the system but opted for an Italian made IVECO 230.28 WM 6x6 chassis which had access to an armored cab. The Italian army would test it for several years and even breifly would appear in Italian military parades and special days. Once they had completed the acceptance trials they would set an order of an initial batch of 20 units. They had planned for a total of 200 units to be put into service, strangely however only a single complete battery would be made by 1992. Sadly it seemed that the Italian army was convinced to drop the initial order and had even decided to return the system back to BPD. The official reasoning for the sudden change of plans likely involved the infamous tight budget that plauged the Italian armed forces during those years which lead to several projects to either be downsized or just outright cancelled. BPD would continue to market all of the FIROS family and actually saw export success in Iraq, UAE, Mexico and many other undisclosed countries. The system still boasted many upsides compared to contemporary platforms, it was lightweight, modular and could use a wide array of munitions. Survivability wise the system could withstand small arms fire and shell splinters but anything other than that would’ve likely damaged the platform. This lack of armour however is nothing too out of place as most MLRS prefer to remain as light as possibile and chances of encountering enemies in an active warzone would not have been common. In terms of firepower, as previously mentioned the launchers could fire many different types of 122mm rockets, this would include conventional types such as HE, PFF and WP to sub-munition types which could dispense anti tank, anti personnel mines and bomblets. The launcher was able to fully traverse 360 degrees, each launcher cell held up to 20 rockets each. Since it was based on a wheeled platform, nations would be able to peform quick attacks and leave the area before expecting any counter-battery fire. Reloading of the launchers was simple and quick if a special reloader vehicle was present. BPD would create a few more MLRS platform but would shift its focus on just making munitions. The Original FIROS-30 prototype would be bought put in storage, many years later it would be bought by a museum and would be exposed outside of the Bunker di Monte Soratte.
Armament+Equipment
x2 122mm launchers (20 rockets per launcher, able to fire all 122mm nato standard munitions)
Specifications
Spoiler
Why it should be in game
Italy could use a fast firing rocket ground vehicle, other nations have access to similar vehicles at different battle ratings so theres no reason why Italy could not recieve one too. It would be fun to use and would not be OP, considering that its a big platform and hiding with such a thing would be nearly impossibile. Wouldnt be too hard to add and Gaijin could reuse part of the model to add many variants based on different trucks either as premiums or event vehicles.
Sources
Spoiler
Century of italian armored cars/Un secolo di autoblindate in Italia - Nicola Pignato
Armies and weapons 44 1978
IDR 2/1989
Firos 25 brochure
SNIA BDP product range
Jane’s A&A 1979-80
ESERCITO CONSUNTIVO 1987 PROGRAMMAZIONE 1988 by Biblioteca Militare - Issuu
Firos (artillery) - Wikipedia
FIROS-25/30 Multiple Launch Rocket System | MilitaryToday.com
FIROS - Wikipedia
https://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/disp_pdf.cfm?DACH_RECNO=355
122 mm Firos 25/30 rockets (Italy) - Jane's Ammunition Handbook
FIROS-30 - РСЗО - армия - Справочник - Fact Military
JOURNAL OF ITALIAN ARMY 1988 N.1 "RIVISTA MILITARE" by Biblioteca Militare - Issuu
FIROS-25 / FIROS-30 Field Jet Systems | Missilery.info
Photos
