This has been developed by Bofors Weapon Systems for installation on a wide range of tracked and wheeled armoured fighting vehicles and shares a number of common components with the standard infantry/man-portable version. Swedish armoured fighting vehicles that this system is fitted to include the S-tank and Centurion tanks which are being phased out of service and the recent CV 9040 series of combat vehicles now in service with the Swedish Army in significant numbers.

The combat vehicle version of the Bofors Weapon Systems 71 mm Lyran illuminating system consists of the launcher with connection cable, the control unit with firing buttons for two launchers and the mortar flare shells.

The mortar flare shells are in individual plastic containers which can be connected together with the upper container in a pack with a carrying handle.

Specifications

Control unit

Weight: 1.25 kg

Dimensions: 165 x 93 x 83 mm

Mortar flare shell Length:

(complete) 340 mm Weight:

(complete) 1.2 kg Muzzle velocity: 114 m/s (147 m/s with increment) Ranges: 400, 800 and 1,300 m (short barrel) 450, 950 and 1,600 m (long barrel) Time of flight: 5.5 s to 400 m (short barrel) or 450 m (long barrel); 11.5s to 800 m (short barrel) or 950 m (long barrel); 16 s to 1,300 m (short barrel) or 1,600 m (long barrel)

Luminous intensity: mean 600,000 cd Burning time: 30 s Descending speed: 3 m/s Temperature limits: 40 to +60°C

Launcher

Weight: 17 kg

Voltage: 24 V DC

Elevation settings: steps of 5°

Length and width of baseplate: 205x110mm

Typically two launchers are mounted on the vehicle firing forwards, with firing taking place via the control unit which is located in the crew compartment of the vehicle. The power supply of 24 V is taken from the electrical system of the vehicle.

In addition to the safe position on the fuze, each mortar flare has settings for 400, 800 and 1,300 m range with the launcher set at an elevation of 45°. A range of 1,300 m is achieved with an increment and is fired only with the vehicle launcher.

The mortar flare shell comprises a front body section, rear body section and a tail unit. The front body section contains the fuze, delayed pyrotechnical charge, separating charge and the flare charge. The flare charge is ignited by the separating charge that is initiated by a primer pellet.

The rear body section contains a parachute which is attached to the flare charge and a propellant charge. The flare shell, which has a burning time of 30 seconds, gives 5 lux illumination over an area with a diameter of more than 600 m.

The same elevation of +45° is used when firing at 400,800 and 1,300 m. A longer barrel is available which permits firing at 450, 950 and 1,600 m using the same flare shells as for 400, 800 and 1,300 m.

At night the elevation takes place with the aid of luminous spirit levels which are mounted on the launcher.

Bofors Weapon Systems claims that its flare systems could be used successfully at sea for combating smuggling, illuminating ships illegally releasing oil under cover of darkness, identification and for rescue work.

Production as required. In service with Belgium, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. It is also used by the German Coast Guard. Bofors Weapon Systems is currently developing an Infra-Red (IR) illuminating composite shell.