We told you about the Supacat LRV 600 when it was launched at DSEI 15. When we went by to see it this year, it was fitted with a rocket dispenser mounted to the rear roll bar on a swing arm.
Turns out, this is a development of Arnold Defense, a St Louis-based international manufacturer and supplier of 2.75-inch rocket launchers. The “FLETCHER” is a guided 2.75-inch/70mm Weapon System can be mounted on land-based military vehicles as well as maritime craft.
The FLETCHER concept is supported by a team of global defense industry companies working together under Arnold’s leadership to combine their complimentary expertise which includes Military Systems Group, Nammo and Supacat.
Traditionally, 2.75-inch rocket systems have been used as an area suppression weapon, ordinarily deployed by aviation assets. FLETCHER can engage targets at ranges up to 6.5km, but from the ground.
Currently in the concept phase of development, a demonstrator fit of FLETCHER is mounted to the Supacat LRV 600, a lightweight special forces platform.
Jim Hager, President and CEO of Arnold Defense said “FLETCHER is an exciting new development for Arnold Defense and our team partners. We’re already exceedingly well established in the air environment with our rocket systems being used on air platforms globally. Moving that success into the land environment with our 2.75-inch rocket systems fitted to wheeled and tracked vehicles, as well as in a dismounted role, will provide ground forces with an entirely new capability”. He added: “there is further development work required but if all goes well, we’re expecting to have the system ready for sale towards the end of 2018”.
Tags: Arnold Defense, Supacat
I think the defense company should have been more specific in the article. They are using a guidance system on the rockets…Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System. That would make sense because there is only 4 rockets in the pod.
Regardless…that is one badass vehicle. I could have used that during my Hurricane Irma evacuation.
Looks like one of the G.I. Joe vehicles I have in storage somewhere – awesome!
Storage?! I keep mine in the living room, so I can play with them. Coobrraaaa!!
Was thinking the same thing Jon.
I would like one of these for California traffic.
Sounds cool until you look at the ground-to-ground pK and pH on a 2.75″ rocket that (even though “guided”) is designed for air-to-ground use. Potential for miss is relatively high and the collateral damage estimate then becomes substantial given a glance angle off the ground with the maximum range of the rocket. Briefs well, in reality is money thrown into the wind – IMO.
If the weapon is fired with a HoA then it mimics the flight pattern of an aerial rocket. The max range estimates are I think padded as well I’d like to see what pH numbers are also.
That said, sling a 19 shot pod on that sucker and now we’re talking. Integrate it with drone support and you’ve got a tough little sucker.
Waiting for the Chevy Suburban mounting option…
I’m so disappointed no one said, “Spike missile.”