The Renault R380.26 6x4, TSR (Tractor Semi-Trailer), Hades weapon system

The R380 26 T tuck was the base for this T.E.L. incidentally the French term was the same as the english acronym. It was called in French "Tracteur Equipé (de) Lanceur". In that case, it had a 6x4 configuration, rated for 374 hp, its particular equipements: TELMA brake system ("Ralentisseur") and great cold starter system as well as anti-lock wheels system (Anti blocage des roues). Otherwise it was pretty similar to same category civilian trucks.

The Renault tractor:

The tractors kept the classic cab over configuration and were powered by an RVI R390 6x4s rated for 390 hp, but with the particularity of being single mounted at the rear. The rear tires were the same as those of the semi-trailer, namely Michelin 525/65 R 20.5 (or 20.5 R 20.5) XS. As for the semi-trailers, they were designed and manufactured by LOHR, and were equipped with independent pneumatic wheel suspension.

The prototype was even with VALEO hydraulic disc brakes identical to those of the AMX10RC, but on the series, drums were chosen for cost reasons. Most sources states 18 were built, the last one not being assembled at the time of the program cancellation. The vehicle was part of the Renault "R" type (1980-96) COE type related to the Ford Transcontinental. Typically it was powered by a Renault 12-litre G-series inline-six turbodiesel.

Apart the missiles, the trucks were neither armored nor armed to the exception of the forward part of the trailer (rather than the more usual roof hatch), with a firing cabin accessible through a door located on the front of the semi-trailer. The trailer istelf was composed of the two canister launchers which could elevate independently, a control unit closer to the cabin, energy elements (eletric converters and batteries connected to the main engine) to elevate the launchers from the cabin and ignite the launch. The trailer rested on a twin axles, double wheel train. It was provided with four hydraulic stabilization legs.

The Hades weapon system

Named after the Greek god of war, this system of short range nuclear tactical missile was developed in the wake of French deterrence in the 1960s. The program was led by Aérospatiale, Space and Strategic Systems Division, Les Mureaux. It was one of the two ground forces weapon systems developed for the Army (Armée de Terre) with the AMX-30 PLUTON, which carried a smaller missile, but was tracked (developed from the AMX-30 main battle tank).

The HADES missile (not an acronym) was a short-range ballistic pre-strategic nuclear weapon system. It was typical and unique to French deterrence, designed as a last warning before the use of (heavier) strategic nuclear weapons in an expected Soviet invasion of Western Europe. Designed from July 1984 as a replacement for the Pluton, 120 were planned to be deployed.

Like most nations used TELs for deployment, a wheeled trailer and launcher, each carrying two missiles in containers, was planned. Eventually the Truck TEL above was chosen. The 7.5m long, 0.53m diameter 1,850 kg missile had a range of 250 kms, later increased to 480 km. Guidance system was an inertial platform programmble to execute evasive maneuvers. Another version designed to hit hardened underground targets with GPS final guidance system (-5 m accuracy), was designed, compared 100 m for the standard. Its two payloads were either the the nuclear TN 90 (80 kt) or conventional HE warheads.

Fate

The program completed its development in 1992, a first test completed in 1988. In 1992, post-cold war situation curtailed the TEL fleet to just 30 missiles on 15 TEL vehicles instead of 120. In 1991 the Government announced it would not be deployed but kept in storage whereas the program was terminated in 1992. 20 to 25 missiles were still available for "national emergency" all located at Luneville.

On 23 February 1996, announcement by the President of the reshaped French nuclear forces called for dismantling Hadès, acted when the last was officially scrapped on 23 June 1997.

After the program cancellation, the remaining trucks were resold by the army yo the cvilian market. They were purchased in bulk by a fret operator (a good deal as they had very limited mileage compared to civilan equivalent and were in excellent maintenance conditions). They were retransformed into common tractors with standard 38t cargo trailers at the end of the 1990s.

Src/Read More

maquetland.com/ milinfo.org/ Renault R esprit-valmy.fr/ missilethreat.csis.org nuke.fas.org Hades wikipedia globalsecurity.org artillerie.asso.fr

Gallery of models

R380 Trailer in road position

Photos

"Véhicule Transporteur de Partie Haute pour missile S3 sur Renault R 310", Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace. Same Cab but shorter tractor chassis.

So far, no creative commons photo of the sytem is available, check the links for more.

WW1 Vehicles

Allied ww2 Vehicles

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Axis Trucks

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Sd.Kfz 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 were half-tracks designed just before the war as prime movers, to carry supplies, ammunition, personal, and tow artillery. Many were also converted during the war as armored versions carrying AA FLAK guns (Flakvierling, 37 mm, or the legendary 88 mm Rheinmetall als used as tank hunters), or were converted as nebelwerfer (rocket launching armored vehicles). They were built by Hanomag, Steyr, Mercedes-Benz, Bussing and many other manufacturers until 1945, over 20,000 half-tracks.

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