FZ90 rocket motor

Also known as

FZ90 MOD.2/S
WA rocket motor
Wrap around rocket motor FZ90

FZ90 is Thales Belgium's 70 mm wrap-around rocket motor for air-to-ground rockets. The MOD.2/S version uses a solid double-base composite propellant, is optimized for helicopter launch, and is described as delivering 680 daN s of total impulse with reduced smoke and improved trajectory stability.

FZ90 rocket motor, 70 mm wrap-around rocket motor, Munitions

Image source: WA (Wrap around) rocket motor FZ90 MOD.2/S

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: Belgium
Built by: Thales Belgium
Type: 70 mm wrap-around rocket motor
Service note: Contemporary 70 mm air-to-ground rocket motor
Produced: Contemporary

air-launched rocket unguided

Specifications

Propellant: Solid double-base composite propellant
Total impulse: 680 daN s
Action time: 1.07 seconds
Burnout performance: About 400 m and 680 m/s with a 4.3 kg warhead
Range: Up to 9,100 m
Launcher compatibility: FZ233, FZ231, FZ225, and M159 launchers
Shelf life: 10 years under normal storage conditions

Variants

FZ90 MOD.4

Carrier Aircraft

Thales Belgium's A109 LUH compatibility page ties the FZ90 motor to AW109-family helicopters through the 70 mm rocket system.

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

AW-109, Light twin-engine attack and utility helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs

Light utility helicopter

Thales Belgium lists A109 LUH variants fitted with FZ231 12-tube lightweight composite rocket launchers and the FZ90 rocket motor in the 70 mm system.

Sources: A109 LUH compatibility page

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Optimized for helicopter launch with reduced dispersion, reduced launch signature, and compatibility with FZ lightweight 70 mm rocket launchers.

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Sources

WA (Wrap around) rocket motor FZ90 MOD.2/SPublisher: Thales Belgium | Note: Supports the FZ90 MOD.2/S rocket motor description, propellant, total impulse, action time, range, launcher compatibility, shelf life, and image provenance. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 A109 LUH compatibility pagePublisher: Thales Belgium | Note: Supports A109 LUH variants fitted with FZ231 12-tube lightweight composite rocket launchers and the FZ90 rocket motor within the 70 mm system. | Accessed: 2026-06-27