WDS 2024: Brazilian company Mac Jee showcases Armadillo retractable MLRS.

At the World Defense Show 2024 (WDS 2024) exhibition in Saudi Arabia, the Brazilian company Mac Jee Group is showcasing its Armadillo multiple rocket launch vehicle (MLRS). This weapon system, which can be installed on a light 4x4 vehicle, features an automatic reloading system that can be activated and made operational in under 40 seconds, enabling rapid saturation fire within a 10 km range before withdrawing from the firing site.
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The Armadillo MLRS, which can be installed on a light 4x4 vehicle, can be made operational in under 40 seconds, enabling rapid saturation fire within a 10 km range. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

An initial configuration of the launch pod was officially unveiled in April 2019, mounted on an M1152 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). The new compact 24-cell Armadillo launch pod is 3.5 meters in length and weighs approximately 50 kg. The redesigned design features a retractable roof-mounted 360° mission module capable of accommodating a total of 24 2.75”/70 mm guided/unguided anti-tank and short-range air defense rockets furnished with MK40/MK66 rocket motors. Two additional launch pods (24+24 rockets) mounted on an automatic reloading system are stored on the launch platform.

The Armadillo MLRS can engage targets up to 3 km away without stabilization and up to 12 km with stabilization. According to Mac Jee, this new variant of the TA-2 system has multiple potential applications, including patrol support, artillery battery complementation, and serving as a forward artillery outpost. The Armadillo meets DO-160G and MIL-STD-1399 standards, ensuring it conforms to the requirements of defense and security applications. Its design accounts for the demands of high-intensity conflicts and aims to provide a dependable solution to armed forces.

The vehicle is equipped with the Armadillo fire-control system, which features an integrated ballistic calculator and GNSS/INS navigation unit, along with an integrated system communications solution. The platform can also be equipped with a 7.62×51 mm machine gun and six 76 mm smoke grenade launchers for self-defense. A portable command-and-control (C2) system, consisting of a rugged tablet running in-house operational software, is being offered for dismounted/remote operation of the launch pod.

The current Armadillo utilizes an AM General 4×4 M1152 HMMWV with rear and front hydraulic stabilization systems and a redesigned bonnet. However, the Armadillo system can be integrated into any new 4×4 armored tactical vehicle or existing 4×4 platform in the client's inventory, according to Mac Jee product manager Márcio Corrêa da Silva Santos. Therefore, the Armadillo's combination of firepower, mobility, and adaptability could make it a notable asset for modern armed forces, capable of addressing various operational needs across different environments, while remaining affordable to many countries around the world.

The Armadillo features a retractable module capable of accommodating 24 70mm rockets, with two additional launch pods mounted on an automatic reloading system. (Picture source: Army Recognition)