In October, Avibras signed a contract with the Brazilian Army (EB) to supply a batch of AV-SF-70 Skyfire 70mm rockets, reaffirming the solid partnership with the institution. The SKYFIRE is part of the broad portfolio of high-value-added products developed by Avibras, allowing two distinct applications, one as axial armament for aircraft (air-surface) and the other as an area saturation system (surface-surface). Considered of high-performance, they can be used in a wide range of aircraft, from helicopters to high-performance jets. They consist of 70 mm calibre rockets for various applications and their airborne multiple launchers.
The AV-SF-70 Skyfire Weapon System ammunition is the result of an independent development combining battle proven and state of the art aerospace technology. The System ammunition is composed by unguided rockets with 70 mm (2.75″) using composite propellant, wrap-around fins and spin stabilization in flight with higher kinetic energy and superior accuracy. Each rocket is composed by a rocket-motor and a warhead with fuse. The rockets can be launched from airborne Launchers that are compatible with the U.S. MK66 rockets and may be utilized with a variety of aircraft, from helicopters to high performance aircrafts. The AV-SF-70 rockets are packed “ready for use” into a single protecting package and delivered in wooden box with four rockets.
The rockets use composite solid propellant, they are provided with stabilizing fins and have a variety of warheads. Each rocket consists of a rocket motor and a warhead with fuze. The available rocket motor is the SKYFIRE: AV-SF 70 M9. The warheads available have specific effects such as anti-tank, anti-personnel and anti-materiel, flechette, anti-runway, and for exercise an inert warhead and a signalling warhead are available, each with an appropriate fuze. For Surface-to-Surface use, the SKYFIRE system is used as a saturation artillery rocket, with a range of up to 12 km, and can be fired from a towable launcher that can also be transported by helicopter. The launcher can also be mounted on a 4×4 vehicle.
The SKYFIRE-70 System rocket motor, warheads and multiple launchers are already certified by the Aerospace Product Certification Division of the IFI (Institute for Industrial Development and Coordination) / DCTA (Department of Aerospace Science and Technology of the Brazilian Air Force) and operate in several aircraft around the world, including Embraer’s Super Tucano. In addition to being used by the Brazilian Army Aviation, SKYFIRE-70 rockets and launchers are also exported to several countries in Africa and Asia, being proven in combat. A derivative of the SKYFIRE rocket is also used as training ammunition (subcalibre) of the ASTROS System (Missile and Rocket Artillery System).
