ARockets & launchers
Mk 153 Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon
Multi-role (anti-fortification, anti-armor ) rocket launcher
FORCETALLY
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ARockets & launchers
Multi-role (anti-fortification, anti-armor ) rocket launcher
At a glance
Measured figures
Loaded
Single sourceUnloaded
Single sourceConfiguration
| Specification | Mk 153 Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon | Valkiri |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Multi-role (anti-fortification, anti-armor ) rocket launcher[source] | Multiple rocket launcher[source] |
| Place of origin | United States[source] | South Africa[source] |
| In service | 1984–present[source] | 1972–present[source] |
| Used by | See Operators[source] |
760 mm (30 in ) (unloaded) 1,371 mm (54.0 in) (loaded)[source]
Length
Single source5.35 m (17 ft 7 in)[source]
Maximum; road
Single source90 km/h (56 mph) (road)[source]
Effective; Arming distance HEDM/HEAA
Single sourceEffective; HEAA
Single sourceEffective; HEDM
Single sourceEffective; SMAW-NE · source measurement 3
Single sourceEffective; SMAW-NE · source measurement 5
Single sourceMaximum; Maximum firing range
Single source250 m (820 ft ) (HEDM) 500 m (1,600 ft) (HEAA) 250 m (820 ft ) (SMAW-NE) Arming distance: 17 m (56 ft ) (HEDM/HEAA) 8.23 m (27.0 ft ) (SMAW-NE)[source]
1,800 m (5,900 ft)[source]
Effective; Effective firing range
Single sourceOperational; Operational range
Single sourcepractical
Single source3 rounds per minute (practical)[source]
HEAA
Single sourceHEDM
Single sourceSMAW-NE
Single source220 m/s (720 ft/s ) (HEDM) 208 m/s (680 ft/s ) (HEAA) 150 m/s (490 ft/s ) (SMAW-NE)[source]
Aluminized Comp A-3 HEAA Sedimentation Cast Octol
Single sourceHEDM
Single sourceSMAW-NE PBXN-113
Single sourceHEDM: 2.4 lb (1.1 kg) Aluminized Comp A-3 HEAA: 1.89 lb (0.86 kg) Sedimentation Cast Octol SMAW-NE: 4 lb (1.8 kg) PBXN-113[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
South African National Defence Force[source] |
| Wars | Operation Just Cause Gulf War War in Afghanistan Iraq War Yemeni Civil War Russo-Ukrainian War[source] | South African Border War Angolan Civil War[source] |
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| Designer | McDonnell Douglas[source] | Armscor , Somchem[source] |
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| Manufacturer | Nammo Talley (formerly Talley Defense Systems)[source] | — |
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| Unit cost | US$13,000[source] | — |
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| Variants | M141 Bunker Defeat Munition[source] | Bateleur (40 launch tubes)[source] |
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| Cartridge weight | 12.9 lb (5.9 kg) (HEDM) 14.25 lb (6.46 kg) (HEAA) 18.5 lb (8.4 kg) (SMAW-NE)[source] | — |
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| Feed system | Detachable single-rocket casing[source] | — |
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| Sights | Iron sights (250 m; 820 ft) Mk 42 Day Sight (3.8× magnification telescopic sight ) RCO / ACOG (4×) AN/PEQ-15 or AN/PEQ-16 AN/PVS-17C (4.5×) AN/PAS-13G Light Weapon Thermal Sight (LWTS)[source] | — |
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| Barrels | — | 24[source] |
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| Filling | — | HE-Fragmentation 2.68 m (8 ft 10 in)[source] |
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| Engine | — | diesel[source] |
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| Suspension | — | Mercedes Benz Unimog 4×4 truck[source] |
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| Reported operators |
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