Alcotán-100

Alcotán-100
Single use launcher attached with the reusable VOSEL firing control unit
TypePredicted line of sight (PLOS) anti-tank shoulder-launched missile weapon system[1]
Place of originSpain
Service history
Used bySee Users
Production history
ManufacturerInstalaza SA
Unit costApprox. 17,500 ~ 24,500 $ [2]
Produced1998–present
Variants
  • ALCOTAN-AT (M2) munition: Anti-tank behind ERA
  • ALCOTAN-BIV (M2) munition: Dual purpose (anti-armour + fragmentation)
  • ALCOTAN-ABK (M2) munition: Anti-bunker ALCOTAN-MP (M2) munition: Multi-purpose, three different modes (impact, impact delay and airburst)
Specifications
Mass14 kg (31 lb)[3]
Length1.15 m (3.8 ft)
Crew1
Caliber100 mm (3.9 in)
Effective firing range600 m (2,000 ft)
SightsTelescopic sight with night vision
Warhead
Blast yield700 mm (28 in) penetration (ERA + armour steel)
PropellantSolid-fuel rocket
Guidance
system
PLOS (Predicted Line Of Sight)
Launch
platform
Man-portable launcher

Alcotán-100 is a recoilless, one-man portable, single-use (firing control unit is reusable) anti-tank rocket launcher system used by infantry, manufactured by Instalaza.[1][3] The firing control unit predicts the future aiming point based on calculation before the rocket fire.[1] It is being used as an infantry-type weapon and fireable from confined spaces. Instalaza claiming it to be, "the highest performance in unguided shoulder launched systems".[1] It is in service with the Spanish Armed Forces and exported to other countries.

The ALCOTAN-100 shoulder launched weapon system has been deployed successfully in several conflicts around the World.

History

Production of the Alcotán-100 began in 1998.[4]

Description

The Alcotán-100 fires a 100 mm (3.9 in) HEAT charge, in addition to HE/FRAG and HEDP (dual-purpose) rounds, and the weapon can be fired from confined spaces. The weapon also has a laser range finder and a ballistic computer; this firing control unit must be turned on before the weapon can be operated.[4]

VOSEL Fire System

The VOSEL fire control unit is available in two different versions, VOSEL (M2) and VOSEL (M2)-IR.[1] The VOSEL (M2) fire system gives the Alcotán-100 (M2) a high hit probability. It incorporates night vision that allows the operator to identify a target up to 1,200 metres in the night, a laser rangefinder with a range up to 2,000 metres and a ballistic computer.[3] After calculating the lead of the moving target, the computer will shows the gunner the future aiming point. The soldier then uses the aiming point to a hit. This mechanism reduces the reaction time and maximize the hit probability.[1]

The VOSEL fire system can be used separately from the launcher tube as a night surveillance telemetric device.[3]

Specifications

Cutaway model of the Alcotán-100
  • Calibre: 100 mm
  • Length: 1.15 m
  • Weight:
    • Launcher with projectile:[1] 10.5 kg ALCOTAN-AT (M2), 10 kg ALCOTAN-BIV (M2), 9.8 kg ALCOTAN-ABK (M2), 10.3 kg ALCOTAN-MP (M2)
    • Fire system: 4.5 kg[3]
  • Range:[1]
    • 30 m to 600 m point target for the ALCOTAN-AT (M2), ALCOTAN-BIV (M2), ALCOTAN-ABK (M2) and ALCOTAN-MP (M2)
    • >1,000 m for ALCOTAN-BIV (M2) (area target) and 1,000 m for ALCOTAN-MP (M2) (airbust)
  • Engine: Solid-fuel rocket
  • Penetration:[1]
    • Anti-tank ALCOTAN-AT (M2): 700 mm (explosive reactive armour + armour steel)
    • Dual purpose ALCOTAN-BIV (M2): 400 mm (armour steel) along with >1000 fragments
    • Anti-bunker ALCOTAN-ABK (M2): 350 mm (concrete, ∅ >50 mm for 2nd warhead follow-through) along with >2500 fragments inside bunker, 170 mm (armour steel)
    • Multi-purpose ALCOTAN-MP (M2): Effective against light armour and brick walls, >3000 fragments (airbust)

Users

Current operators

 Bahrain
 Bangladesh
 Pakistan
 Peru
  • Special Forces[8][9]
  • Cavalry and mountain infantry units, with 74 launchers with 660 rockets.[10]
 Spain
 Ukraine

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "ALCOTAN-100 (M2), the highest performance in unguided shoulder launched systems". Instalaza. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  2. ^ PAKISTAN’S ANTI-TANK GUIDED MISSILE REQUIREMENTS https://quwa.org/2019/10/27/pakistans-anti-tank-guided-missile-requirements-2/
  3. ^ a b c d e "ALCOTAN-100" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
  4. ^ a b Malory, Marcia. "Spain - Alcotán-100 Weapon System - Anti Tank Weapons". Army Tanks. tanks.net. Archived from the original on 31 March 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  5. ^ Twitter https://twitter.com/jeremybinnie/status/1093457616813129728. Retrieved 1 May 2022. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ^ a b Alain Henry de Frahan (27 March 2024). "El Ejército de Bangladesh adquiere armamento antitanque español Alcotan-100" [Bangladesh Army acquires Spanish Alcotan-100 anti-tank weapons]. Galaxia Miltar (in Spanish). Spain. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  7. ^ Khan, Bilal (22 May 2017). "Pakistan acquired Instalaza Alcotán-100 anti-tank rocket systems". Quwa. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Future of Alcotan-100 Hangs on Spanish Army Procurement". defense-aerospace.com. 9 July 2010. Archived from the original on 23 February 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2010 – via Forecast International.
  9. ^ "Unknown title" (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 November 2011. [permanent dead link‍]
  10. ^ Cruz Tantalean, Cesar (4 August 2013). Written at Lima, Peru. "Peru receives, displays new anti-tank weapons". Janes. Coulsdon, United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 15 August 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  11. ^ Toro, Carlos (4 March 2022). "Las armas que envía España a Ucrania, de bajo calibre y nada de misiles tierra-aire". El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 May 2022.