SOFINS 2019: Thales 68mm induction rocket system pod mounted on Hawkei vehicle.

French Company Thales presents new pod of ground-to-ground 68mm rocket system mounted on FN Herstal remotely operated weapon system fitted on the roof of the Hawkei light protected vehicle. The Thales 68mm was developed to be used on helicopter as air-to-ground weapon system.

Thales 68mm induction rocket system mounted on FN Herstal remotely operated weapon station fitted on the roof of Hawkei light protected vehicle showed during SOFINS 2019, Special Forces Operations Equipment Exhibition near Bordeaux, France. April 3, 2019. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The new generation of 68mm induction rocket system (IRS) was developed by TDA Armaments, 100% affiliated of Thales Group. IRS is a name for a product family of new generation guided missiles and unguided rockets, utilizing electronics and wireless technologies.

The TDA induction rocket systems offer a range of benefits for platform integrators and aircrews alike: simplified mechanical systems and logistics operations, fully adaptable loading configurations, in-flight programmable dual-mode rocket capability, fully integrated guided-rocket control, automatic identification of loaded rocket types, and a built-in health and usage monitoring system.

Induction rockets cannot be used as improvised explosive devices or fired by adversary rocket launchers. In addition, since activation does not require electric cables or physical connectors, foreign object damage to the platform is no longer an issue. The absence of cables and connectors around the munitions and the advanced digital launcher interface makes the load/unload process 100% tool-free.

The induction rocket can hit targets between from 500 m to 6,000 m. At SOFINS 2019, the pod mounted of the Hawkei vehicle has four launcher tubes each armed with one rocket. All the firing operations for the rocket launcher system is controlled by an operator console and control handle located inside of the vehicle, which is also used to operate the other weapons of the remotely operated turret.

At the rear of the roof of the vehicle, an additional container is used to store four additional rockets to reload the rockets pod mounted on the remotely operated weapon station.

Close view of the Thales pod of 68mm induction rocket system (IRS) mounted on FN Herstal remotely operated weapon station.