Alcotán-100 Explained

Alcotán-100
Origin:	Spain
Type:	PLOS (predicted line of sight) based unguided anti-tank rocket launcher system
Is Ranged:	yes
Is Explosive:	yes
Is Missile:	yes
Used By:	See Users
Manufacturer:	Instalaza SA
Unit Cost:	Approx. 17,500 ~ 24,500 $ ^[1]
Production Date:	1998present
Weight:	14kg (31lb)
Length:	1.15m (03.77feet)
Crew:	1
Caliber:	100mm
Range:	600m (2,000feet)
Sights:	Telescopic sight with night vision
Yield:	700mm penetration (ERA + armour steel)
Guidance:	PLOS (Predicted Line Of Sight)
Propellant:	Solid-fuel rocket
Launch Platform:	Man-portable launcher

Alcotán-100 is a recoilless, one-man portable, single-use (firing control unit is reusable) anti-tank rocket launcher system used by infantry, manufactured by Instalaza.^{[2] [3]} The firing control unit predicts the future aiming point based on calculation before the rocket fire. It is being used as an infantry-type weapon and fireable from confined spaces. Instalaza claiming it to be, "the highest performance in unguided shoulder launched systems". It is in service with the Spanish Armed Forces and exported to other countries.

The ALCOTAN-100 shoulder launched weapon system has been deployed successfully in several conflicts around the World.

History

Production of the Alcotán-100 began in 1998.^[4]

Description

The Alcotán-100 fires a 100mm HEAT charge, in addition to HE/FRAG and HEDP (dual-purpose) rounds, and the weapon can be fired from confined spaces. The weapon also has a laser range finder and a ballistic computer; this firing control unit must be turned on before the weapon can be operated.

VOSEL Fire System

The VOSEL fire control unit is available in two different versions, VOSEL (M2) and VOSEL (M2)-IR. The VOSEL (M2) fire system gives the Alcotán-100 (M2) a high hit probability. It incorporates night vision that allows the operator to identify a target up to 1,200 metres in the night, a laser rangefinder with a range up to 2,000 metres and a ballistic computer. After calculating the lead of the moving target, the computer will shows the gunner the future aiming point. The soldier then uses the aiming point to a hit. This mechanism reduces the reaction time and maximize the hit probability.

The VOSEL fire system can be used separately from the launcher tube as a night surveillance telemetric device.

Specifications

• Calibre: 100 mm
• Length: 1.15 m
• Weight:
  • Launcher with projectile: 10.5 kg ALCOTAN-AT (M2), 10 kg ALCOTAN-BIV (M2), 9.8 kg ALCOTAN-ABK (M2), 10.3 kg ALCOTAN-MP (M2)
  • Fire system: 4.5 kg
• Range:
  • 30 m to 600 m point target for the ALCOTAN-AT (M2), ALCOTAN-BIV (M2), ALCOTAN-ABK (M2) and ALCOTAN-MP (M2)
  • >1,000 m for ALCOTAN-BIV (M2) (area target) and 1,000 m for ALCOTAN-MP (M2) (airbust)
• Engine: Solid-fuel rocket
• Penetration:
  • Anti-tank ALCOTAN-AT (M2): 700 mm (explosive reactive armour + armour steel)
  • Dual purpose ALCOTAN-BIV (M2): 400 mm (armour steel) along with >1000 fragments
  • Anti-bunker ALCOTAN-ABK (M2): 350 mm (concrete, ∅ >50 mm for 2nd warhead follow-through) along with >2500 fragments inside bunker, 170 mm (armour steel)
  • Multi-purpose ALCOTAN-MP (M2): Effective against light armour and brick walls, >3000 fragments (airbust)

Users

Current operators

Bahrain

• Bahrain Defence Force^[5]

Bangladesh

• Bangladesh Army

ALCOTAN-AT (M2) and ALCOTAN-BIV (M2) along with VOSEL (M2) firing control units.^[6]

• Border Guard Bangladesh

ALCOTAN-100 along with VOSEL (M2) firing control units.^[6]

Pakistan

• Pakistan Armed Forces^[7]

Peru

• Special Forces^{[8] [9]}
• Cavalry and mountain infantry units, with 74 launchers with 660 rockets.^[10]

Spain

• Spanish Armed Forces

Ukraine

• Armed Forces of Ukraine.^[11]

See also

• List of rocket launchers

Notes and References

1. PAKISTAN’S ANTI-TANK GUIDED MISSILE REQUIREMENTShttps://quwa.org/2019/10/27/pakistans-anti-tank-guided-missile-requirements-2/
2. Web site: ALCOTAN-100 (M2), the highest performance in unguided shoulder launched systems . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220316092840/http://instalaza.com/producto/alcotan/?lang=en . 16 March 2022 . 4 February 2022 . Instalaza . en.
3. Web site: ALCOTAN-100 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121017003456/http://usuarios.multimania.es/instalaza/alcotan.html . 17 October 2012 . 12 July 2010 . es.
4. Web site: Malory . Marcia . Spain - Alcotán-100 Weapon System - Anti Tank Weapons . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140331130559/http://www.tanks.net/anti-tank-weapons/spain-alcotan-100-weapon-system.html . 31 March 2014 . 24 June 2013 . Army Tanks . tanks.net . en.
5. Web site: https://twitter.com/jeremybinnie/status/1093457616813129728 . Twitter . 1 May 2022.
6. News: Alain Henry de Frahan . 27 March 2024 . El Ejército de Bangladesh adquiere armamento antitanque español Alcotan-100 . Bangladesh Army acquires Spanish Alcotan-100 anti-tank weapons . Spanish. Galaxia Miltar . Spain . 13 November 2024.
7. Web site: Khan . Bilal . Pakistan acquired Instalaza Alcotán-100 anti-tank rocket systems . Quwa . 1 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210419004805/https://quwa.org/2017/05/22/pakistan-acquired-instalaza-alcotan-100-anti-tank-rocket-systems/ . 19 April 2021 . 22 May 2017.
8. Web site: Future of Alcotan-100 Hangs on Spanish Army Procurement . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200223215728/http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/116312/infantry-battlefield-missiles:-market-briefs.html . 23 February 2020 . 17 July 2010 . defense-aerospace.com . en . 9 July 2010 . Forecast International.
9. Web site: Unknown title . 17 November 2011 . es . dmy-all.
10. News: Cruz Tantalean . Cesar . 4 August 2013 . Peru receives, displays new anti-tank weapons . en . . Lima, Peru . Coulsdon, United Kingdom . dead . 17 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130815031251/http://www.janes.com/article/25700/peru-receives-displays-new-anti-tank-weapons . 15 August 2013.
11. News: Toro . Carlos . Las armas que envía España a Ucrania, de bajo calibre y nada de misiles tierra-aire . 1 May 2022 . El Mundo . 4 March 2022 . es.