The Ray-Ting 2000 or RT-2000 AMLRS (Artillery Multiple Launch Rocket System) developed by Taiwan-based Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) for the Republic of China (Taiwan) Army. The wheeled multiple launch rocket system replaces the existing Kung Feng VI 117mm rocket system. The RT-2000 is an accurate Artillery Multiple Launch Rocket System designed to fire against amphibious assault and to enhance the firepower of conventional tube artillery. There are three kinds of Ray-Ting 2000 rockets with their maximum range. Ray-Ting 2000 launcher with self-reload crane is mounted on a high mobility 8X8 cargo truck. The design of sealed rocket pod reduces the reloading time and process remarkably. Such design also lowers the maintenance requirement and eases stockpile.
The Taiwanese Army has a total requirement of about 150 Ray-Ting 2000 systems. It received its first Ray-Ting 2000 AMLRS from CSIST in September 2012. Ray-Ting 2000 launcher is equipped with fully automatic fire control system, elevation and azimuth driven systems, and position and direction determining system. Over 50 RT2000 systems are currently planned for production by the Republic of China Ministry of National Defence (MND) at a cost of $483m. All the units are deployed under the 21st Artillery Command and each artillery group is equipped with three Ray-Ting 200 batteries comprising 18 RT2000 launchers. The main role of the RT2000 is costal defense. It is intended to neutralize enemy amphibious craft with troops and equipment before reaching the beach.
Mounted on the rear of the chassis is the powered launcher that can be fitted with pods of unguided surface-to-surface rockets that are aimed and fired with the crew remaining in the forward control cab. The first variant of the RT-2000 was based on the American Oshkosh Defense M977 HEMTT truck. The truck is powered by the Detroit Diesel 8V92TA engine, developing 450 horsepower. The latest production system is mounted on an 8×8 MAN military truck. Three types of launcher units can be mounted to the back side of the chassis, 117 mm with 60 rockets, 180 mm with 27 rockets, and 230 mm with 12 rockets. Mounted in the fully enclosed forward control cab is the fire-control panel which allows the crew to aim and fire the rockets with key elements of the system including the electronic unit, position and attitude determining system, controller box, servo motors, amplifier and the communications processor.
The RT2000 uses three types of rockets: Mk15, Mk30 and Mk45. The mark number of each rocket type indicates the maximum range in kilometers. The RT-2000 can use 60 Mk15 117-mm rockets. It is the same rocket used with the Kung Feng 6A launcher. The Mk30 180-mm rocket is larger and launcher can hold 27 of them. The Mk45 is a 230-mm rocket and has a range of 45 km. It is claimed that a full salvo of the Mk45 rockets covers area of 200 000 m², destroying all small landing craft and damaging larger ones. The RT-2000 can hold 12 of the Mk45 rockets. The Mk30 and Mk45 can utilize high explosive or cluster warheads. It is worth mentioning that the RT-2000 can fire while moving. The Mk45 can destroy all small landing craft and damage large sized ships. All three rocket-types in the Ray-Ting 2000 are powered by solid propellant motors. They are equipped with four fins for in-flight stabilisation. Each rocket can be equipped with a front-mounted warhead of high-explosive or sub-munition.
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