Serbia proposes new 80mm laser-guided rocket for aircraft and helicopters.

The Yugoimport's 80 mm Laser Guided Rocket (LGR) is a Serbian precision-targeting and engagement system featured at the Partner 2023 exhibition in Serbia. With an 80 mm caliber, it exhibits adaptability across different launching platforms, including helicopters and aircraft, suitable for both air-to-ground and air-to-air operations. This adaptability extends to its compatibility with various warhead types, such as Composite (COM), High Explosive (HE), and High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) variants, providing military operators with mission-specific choices.

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 The 80mm laser-guided rocket (LGR) from Yugoimport at the Partner 2023 exhibition (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Yugoimport LGR boasts a maximum range of up to 8 kilometers, enabling engagements at over-the-horizon distances. Its Semi-Active Laser (SAL) guidance system relies on an independent laser designator, whether from ground or air platforms, to illuminate the target, ensuring precise target engagement. Notably, this rocket operates effectively within a temperature range of -30°C to +70°C, making it suitable for a broad range of environmental conditions.

The Yugoimport LGR comprises essential components, from front to rear. The Guidance Kit, equipped with a SAL seeker, a Configuration and Communication Module (CCM), a Control Actuator System (CAS) featuring four canards for precise rocket control, electric cards, a Power Supply Module (PSM), and an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), plays a pivotal role in tracking and homing in on the laser spot, maintaining stability and guidance throughout the rocket's flight.

The LGR offers a selection of warhead options, including Composite (COM), High Explosive (HE), and High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warheads.

Composite (COM) warheads combine explosive materials and other elements to strike a balance between fragmentation and blast effects. They are suitable for engaging a range of target types, including infantry, light vehicles, and fortifications, making them versatile in various combat scenarios.

High Explosive (HE) warheads maximize blast and fragmentation effects, proving effective against soft targets such as infantry, unarmored or lightly armored vehicles, and fortifications. The HE warhead creates a powerful explosion upon impact, causing significant damage to the target area.

High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warheads specialize in penetrating armored vehicles, including tanks and armored personnel carriers. They utilize a shaped charge design to focus the explosive energy into a concentrated jet of molten metal, capable of piercing armored vehicle armor. HEAT warheads excel in engaging armored threats, particularly when dealing with armored targets.

The rocket is powered by a rocket motor, ensuring precise propulsion toward the intended target, while stabilizing fins maintain stability and trajectory during flight.

The Yugoimport LGR's capacity to be launched from both helicopters and aircraft enhances its tactical advantages, adapting to different platform needs. This versatility proves valuable in diverse military operations, encompassing air-to-ground strikes and air-to-air engagements.

Launching the LGR from an aircraft significantly extends its target engagement range, thanks to the aircraft's higher speed and altitude, providing an advantage when targeting distant objectives.

Scalability is another notable feature, with the LGR's compatibility with various aircraft types allowing military planners to choose the most suitable platform for specific missions, based on operational requirements. Interoperability emerges as a significant benefit, fostering collaboration within military forces and potentially leading to more effective joint operations in complex mission scenarios.