WDS 2024: Rheinmetall Expal Munitions displays CAT-70 AP 70 mm air-to-ground rocket.

Rheinmetall Expal Munitions, a recently established business unit within the Rheinmetall Group, is currently presenting its ammunition capabilities at the World Defense Show 2024 (WDS 2024) in Saudi Arabia. Among the products on display, the CAT-70 family of 70 mm (2.75") air-to-ground rockets is garnering attention, with a particular focus on the CAT-70 AP rocket being showcased.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Rheinmetall Expal Munitions displays the CAT-70 AP 70 mm air-to-ground rocket, designed for both aircraft and helicopters with an effective/maximum range of 8-10 km. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The CAT-70 family of rockets is positioned as suitable for various counter-insurgency missions, meeting the operational requirements of armed forces in recent operations. These rockets are equipped with rocket motors compatible with both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, demonstrating effectiveness in area suppression against soft-skinned targets and light armored vehicles, and designed to work with precision guidance systems.

Regarding warheads, the CAT-70 rockets offer several choices, including the CRHE (M151) for real high-explosive (HE) purposes, the CEF-70 (M274) for smoke signature, and the CEI-70 for inert training. These rockets employ the B-70 (M-423) point-detonating fuze for precise detonation.

Rocket propulsion systems are a critical component of these munitions. The CAT-70 family of propulsion systems includes the CAT-70-A (Mk 4) for high-speed aircraft with an effective/maximum range of 3-5 km, the CAT-70-A (Mk 40) for low-speed aircraft and helicopters with a similar range, and the CAT-70 AP (Mk 66) designed for both aircraft and helicopters with an effective/maximum range of 8-10 km. Notably, the 70mm Rocket CAT-70 AP is compatible with standard 70mm launchers and guidance kit systems, enhancing its versatility.

The presence at WDS 2024 shows the significance of Rheinmetall AG's recent acquisition of all shares in Expal Systems S.A.U. on August 1, 2023. The acquisition further reinforces Rheinmetall's core business in weapons, ammunition, and propellants, as Rheinmetall Expal Munitions' current portfolio now includes artillery ammunition, mortar, and medium-caliber rounds, fuses, and rocket propulsion systems, complementing Rheinmetall's existing product range in the global ammunition market.

In recent years, the global demand for ammunition has increased due to growing military equipment requirements across various countries and rising geopolitical tensions. Rheinmetall's acquisition of Expal has provided access to enhanced production capacity, including multiple facilities in Spain and a demilitarization and soil remediation business in the United States.

For example, Rheinmetall's role as a supplier to the Ukrainian armed forces is expected to expand with this acquisition, as they will provide a range of medium- and large-caliber ammunition, including 20mm automatic cannon rounds for the Marder infantry fighting vehicle, 35mm ammunition for the Gepard anti-aircraft vehicle, and 105mm and 120mm tank ammunition for the Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs).