Artillery

ASTROS II

The ASTROS II is a Brazilian Avibras wheeled multiple launch rocket system built around modular launch boxes for SS-series artillery rockets. It appears in this catalog through Iraqi use in the Iran-Iraq War, Saudi and Iraqi Gulf War service, and documented Saudi-led coalition ASTROS cluster-rocket evidence in Yemen.

ASTROS II, Wheeled multiple launch rocket system, Artillery
Image source: Avibras ASTROS-II SS-30

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Brazil
Type
Wheeled multiple launch rocket system
Service note
1980s design with continued export and upgrade service
Designer
Avibras Industria Aeroespacial
Designed
Early 1980s
Produced
Early 1980s-late 1990s, with later ASTROS-family production and upgrades
Number built
At least 168 ASTROS II systems reported by Weaponsystems.net

Specifications

Crew
3
Launcher load
Four reload boxes; typical loads include 32 SS-30 127 mm rockets, 16 SS-40 180 mm rockets, or four SS-60/SS-80 300 mm rockets
Rocket calibers
127 mm, 180 mm, and 300 mm artillery rockets in the classic ASTROS II family
Maximum rocket range
Up to 90 km with 300 mm SS-80 rockets; Amnesty described cluster-capable rocket variants with ranges up to 80 km
Rocket guidance
Classic SS-30, SS-40, SS-60, and SS-80 rockets are unguided ballistic artillery rockets; ASTROS 2020 adds guided-missile integration context
Battery elements
Common references describe launcher, transloader, radar/fire-control, command, weather, and workshop/support vehicles in an ASTROS battery or battalion set
Secondary armament
12.7 mm M2HB heavy machine gun on a roof mount
Mobility
6x6 wheeled TECTRAN/VBT-2028 family chassis with Mercedes 280 hp diesel engine; about 90 km/h road speed and 480 km range
Protection
Armored cab against small-arms fire and shell splinters, with smoke grenade launchers
Variants

ASTROS II is the baseline Avibras launcher family; ASTROS 2020 / Mk6 is treated here as a modernized configuration rather than a separate catalog record.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
ASTROS 2020 / ASTROS II Mk6Modernized digital configuration

Forecast International describes ASTROS 2020 as an improved all-digital ASTROS II variant compatible with the AV-TM cruise missile, with Brazilian and Indonesian Mk6 procurement milestones in the 2010s.

Sources: ASTROS Multiple Launch Rocket Systems

Ammunition Fired

The launcher family is defined by modular rocket loads, while the catalog's separate munition page tracks the SS-60 Mk4 cluster-rocket evidence from Yemen.

Launched itemItem typeLaunch evidence
SS-60 Mk4 Cluster Rocket, 300 mm unguided cluster artillery rocket, MunitionsSS-60 Mk4 Cluster Rocket300 mm ASTROS cluster rocket

ASTROS II launchers fire 300 mm SS-60-class rockets, and Yemen investigations connect Brazilian ASTROS cluster rockets with SS-60 or SS-80 cargo-rocket remnants.

Sources: ASTROS Rocket Family, Brazilian SS-60 Cargo Rockets Employed in Yemen

System Vehicles

ASTROS II is a battery system rather than a single truck: the launcher, reload, fire-control, command, weather, and support vehicles work together to plan, fire, and reload rocket missions.

VehicleRoleCatalog context
AV-LMULauncherUniversal launcher vehicle carrying four reload boxes for SS-series rockets.
AV-RMDTransloaderReload vehicle carrying additional launch boxes and a crane for resupply.
AV-UCFFire controlRadar/fire-control vehicle used to support rocket adjustment and counter-battery functions.
AV-VCCCommandCommand-and-control vehicle used to coordinate batteries and fire missions.
AV-MET / support vehiclesWeather and maintenanceWeather, workshop, and support vehicles provide firing-data and field-service context for the launcher fleet.
Rocket Family

The classic ASTROS II rocket family uses containerized launch boxes. The 300 mm SS-60 and SS-80 are especially important to the Yemen evidence because investigators could narrow some remnants to that family.

RocketCaliberDocumented role
SS-30127 mmSmallest classic ASTROS rocket, carried eight per reload box and normally fired in 32-round launcher loads.
SS-40180 mmMedium rocket carried four per reload box, with submunition-capable warhead options in reference sources.
SS-60300 mmLong-range 300 mm rocket carried one per reload box; the catalog links the SS-60 Mk4 cluster-rocket page for the Yemen munition evidence.
SS-80300 mmExtended-range 300 mm rocket with reduced warhead space compared with SS-60, reported at up to 90 km in specialist references.
AV-TM / MTC-300450 mm classASTROS 2020 missile-integration context, not part of the original unguided SS-series rocket load.
Timeline

ASTROS II Key Events

  1. ASTROS II developed for Brazilian and export use

    Avibras developed the Brazilian ASTROS II family in the early 1980s as a modular multiple rocket launcher able to carry several rocket calibers on the same launcher vehicle.

    Sources: ASTROS II

  2. Iraqi combat service in the Iran-Iraq War

    Forecast International and Weaponsystems.net identify ASTROS II combat use with Iraqi forces during the Iran-Iraq War.

    Sources: ASTROS Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, ASTROS II

  3. Saudi ASTROS fire at Khafji

    The Monitor reports Saudi cluster-munition fire from ASTROS multi-barrel rocket launchers against Iraqi forces during the battle of Khafji.

    Sources: The Monitor Saudi Arabia Cluster Munition Ban Policy

  4. Brazil starts ASTROS 2020 development contract

    Forecast International reports that Brazil awarded Avibras an initial ASTROS 2020 development contract in August 2011.

    Sources: ASTROS Multiple Launch Rocket Systems

  5. Brazil orders ASTROS 2020 batteries

    Forecast International reports a Brazilian procurement contract for three ASTROS 2020 batteries in June 2012.

    Sources: ASTROS Multiple Launch Rocket Systems

  6. ASTROS cluster rocket evidence in Saada

    The Monitor and Human Rights Watch document Brazilian ASTROS cluster munition rocket evidence from Saudi-led coalition attacks in Yemen, including February 2017 Saada governorate incidents.

    Sources: The Monitor Saudi Arabia Cluster Munition Ban Policy, Yemen: Cluster Munitions Wound Children

  7. Indonesian Mk6 delivery reported

    Forecast International reports delivery of 27 ASTROS II Mk6 launchers and associated ammunition to the Indonesian Army in June 2020.

    Sources: ASTROS Multiple Launch Rocket Systems

Media

ASTROS II Videos

ASTROS II Images

ASTROS II, Wheeled multiple launch rocket system, Artillery - view 1
Source: ASTROS-2
ASTROS II, Wheeled multiple launch rocket system, Artillery - view 2
Source: ASTROS-2
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Sources

ASTROS IIPublisher: Weaponsystems.net | Note: Supports ASTROS II background, Avibras origin and production, system composition, launcher load, mobility, crew, protection specifications, and direct 1980 Iran-Iraq War and 1990 Gulf War use by Iraqi or Saudi forces. | Accessed: 2026-07-03ASTROS Rocket FamilyPublisher: Weaponsystems.net | Note: Supports SS-30, SS-40, SS-60, and SS-80 rocket-family calibers, load layout, unguided ballistic flight, warhead distinctions, and range context. | Accessed: 2026-07-03ASTROS Multiple Launch Rocket SystemsPublisher: Forecast International | Note: Supports ASTROS 2020/Mk6 upgrade and procurement timeline context, ASTROS rocket options, and direct conflict use: Forecast states ASTROS II was used by Iraqi forces during the 1980 Iran-Iraq War and used by Saudi Arabian forces during Operation Desert Storm in the 1990 Gulf War. | Accessed: 2026-07-03The Monitor Saudi Arabia Cluster Munition Ban PolicyPublisher: Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor | Note: Supports direct 1990 Gulf War and 2014 Yemen Civil War use: the Monitor reports Saudi ASTROS multi-barrel rocket launcher cluster-munition fire at Khafji in January 1991 and lists ASTROS II rocket cluster attacks in Yemen from 2015 to 2017. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Astros II Brazilian Multiple Rocket LauncherPublisher: U.S. Army OE Data Integration Network | Note: Supports U.S. Army reference background for the ASTROS II as a modular Brazilian multiple rocket launcher. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Yemen: Brazilian Cluster Munitions Suspected in Saudi Arabia-Led Coalition AttackPublisher: Amnesty International | Note: Supports 2014 Yemen Civil War direct-use context: Amnesty reported suspected Brazilian ASTROS II cluster munitions used by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition and described ASTROS II rockets, Avibras manufacture, submunitions, and range. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Yemen: Cluster Munitions Wound ChildrenPublisher: Human Rights Watch | Note: Supports 2014 Yemen Civil War direct-use context: Human Rights Watch documented ASTROS cluster munition rockets used by the Saudi-led coalition, including remnants from a February 2017 attack in Saada governorate. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Brazilian SS-60 Cargo Rockets Employed in YemenPublisher: Armament Research Services | Note: Supports 2014 Yemen Civil War direct-use context: ARES assessed Brazilian ASTROS-series SS-60 or SS-80 cargo rockets used in Yemen and links Saudi ASTROS holdings to the weapon family. | Accessed: 2026-07-03Avibras ASTROS-II SS-30Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain U.S. DoD status for the primary image of a Saudi ASTROS II launching an SS-30 rocket. | Accessed: 2026-07-03ASTROS-2Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain U.S. DoD status for Saudi ASTROS II launchers displayed in firing position. | Accessed: 2026-07-03ASTROS 2 InsidePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain U.S. DoD status for Saudi soldiers at an ASTROS II control panel. | Accessed: 2026-07-03