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, reduced smoke and launch signature, and extended standoff range, while public SAAF reporting ties FZ90-armed Rooivalk helicopters to MONUSCO combat operations against M23 positions in eastern DRC.
During the November 2013 offensive against M23 positions in eastern DRC, SAAF Rooivalk helicopters assigned to MONUSCO's Force Intervention Brigade fired 70 mm rocket salvos near Chanzu; the same SAAF article captions Rooivalk firing with FZ90 70 mm FFAR rockets, and Thales documents the FZ90/Rooivalk integration.
Thales lists the FZ90 motor as compatible with its lightweight 70 mm rocket launchers and aluminum M159 launcher family.
| Firing weapon | Weapon type | Firing evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | 12-tube 70 mm rocket launcher | Thales Belgium's FZ90 page lists the FZ231 among compatible lightweight 70 mm rocket launchers, and the A109 LUH page shows the launcher mounted on AW109-family helicopters. Sources: WA (Wrap around) rocket motor FZ90 MOD.2/S, A109 LUH compatibility page |
Thales platform pages document FZ90 within helicopter rocket systems rather than as a standalone munition.
| Carrier | Carrier type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Light utility helicopter | Thales' A109 LUH page lists A109 variants with FZ231 12-tube launchers and FZ90 rocket motors as part of the 70 mm rocket system. Sources: A109 LUH compatibility page |
 | Attack helicopter | Thales' Tiger UHT page describes German Tiger UHT helicopters fitted with FZ225 19-tube launchers and FZ90 rocket motors with FZ warheads. Sources: Tiger UHT compatibility page |
FZ90 is the propulsion section inside a modular 70 mm rocket family. The same motor appears across helicopter, launcher, and warhead combinations, so the most useful context is the documented integration path.
| Context | Documented connection | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Rooivalk AH-2 | Thales says the FZ90 motor, FZ warheads, and M159 launcher were selected for Rooivalk integration in 1997. | SAAF reporting later tied Rooivalk rocket fire to MONUSCO's 2013 action against M23 positions. |
| Thales lists A109 variants with FZ231 12-tube launchers and FZ90 rocket motors. | Shows the motor in a light armed-helicopter rocket system. |
| Thales lists German Tiger UHT helicopters with FZ225 launchers and FZ90 rocket motors. | Shows FZ90 in a 19-tube attack-helicopter loadout. |
| Arnold Defense launchers | Arnold Defense and Thales certified FZ90 firing from LAU, M-Series, MLHS, and FLETCHER launcher families. | Extends the motor beyond the original Thales/FZ launcher set into air, land, and maritime launcher options. |
Sources: Thales FZ90 history timeline; Rooivalk AH-2 compatibility page; A109 LUH compatibility page; Tiger UHT compatibility page; Thales FZ90 Arnold Defense certification; SAAF Rooivalk first combat
Thales' history page places development of the improved 70 mm FZ90 rocket motor in the 1993-1994 period.
Sources: Thales FZ90 history timeline
Thales says the FZ 70 mm rocket system, including the FZ90 motor, warheads, and M159 launcher, was selected for the South African Rooivalk attack helicopter.
Sources: Thales FZ90 history timeline, Rooivalk AH-2 compatibility page
SAAF reporting described Rooivalk helicopters in MONUSCO/FIB service firing 70 mm rocket salvos against M23 bunkers near Chanzu and captioned Rooivalk firing FZ90 70 mm FFAR rockets.
Sources: SAAF Rooivalk first combat
Arnold Defense and Thales announced certification of FZ90 2.75-inch rocket firing from Arnold Defense LAU, M-Series, MLHS, and FLETCHER launchers after live-fire tests.
Sources: Thales FZ90 Arnold Defense certification
