Egypt's Rad'a 300: a multi-caliber rocket artillery system with a range of 300 km.
Rad'a 300 is an Egyptian multi-caliber rocket launcher with a maximum range of 300 km; deployment time of 2 minutes, firing time of 5 minutes, reload time of 3 minutes, remote control range of 60 m; comparable to the ATACMS system from HIMARS.
Egypt is bolstering its long-range firepower with the Rad'a 300 multiple rocket launcher system, designed for rugged desert terrain and mobile on a tracked chassis. This multi-caliber system is capable of engaging targets up to 300 km away, placing it in the same class as the ATACMS projectile fired from the HIMARS launcher. The "fire-and-withdraw" cycle is shortened thanks to rapid deployment, firing, and reloading times.
Firepower specifications and configurations
The Rad'a 300 is a multi-caliber platform, allowing for flexible configuration according to mission requirements:
- Short-range saturation fire support: launches up to 20 unguided 122 mm rockets from a single pod.
- Guided missions: believed to utilize the Fire Dragon missile family with different range variants.
- Guided pod configurations include: 6 x 220 mm missiles (range 25–75 km); 4 x 300 mm missiles (range up to 150 km); or 1 x 610 mm missile (range 100–290 km) for extended-range strikes.
| Type of ammunition | Size (mm) | Load configuration | Shooting range | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unguided rockets | 122 | 20 eggs/pod | — | Saturated firepower, short range |
| Guided missile | 220 | 6 fruits/pod | 25–75 km | It is believed to be the Fire Dragon. |
| Guided missile | 300 | 4 pieces/pod | Up to 150 km | It is believed to be the Fire Dragon. |
| Guided missile | 610 | 1 fruit/pod | 100–290 km | Allegedly Fire Dragon; long-range attack |
Note: The use of the Fire Dragon missile family is stated as “alleged”.
Mobility and chassis
The system is mounted on a tracked chassis, ensuring mobility in desert terrain. With a maximum speed of approximately 40 km/h on paved roads and off-road terrain, the Rad'a 300 can keep up with the Egyptian mechanized brigades.
Fire control and combat cycle
- Deployment time: 2 minutes.
- Open fire: within 5 minutes of receiving the order.
- Reload time: three minutes.
The fire control system accepts manually entered target coordinates or those transmitted via the command and control network, shortening the attack cycle. The Rad'a 300 supports remote operation within a range of up to 60 meters using a controller plugged directly into the cockpit, increasing crew safety during firing.
Tactics used
The Rad'a 300 is designed for shoot-and-scoot tactics. Its rapid deployment, firing, and reloading speeds allow for early withdrawal from position, minimizing the risk of counter-fire or detection by enemy sensors. The multi-caliber ammunition platform enables flexible switching between short-range saturation fire and medium-to-long-range guided attacks.
Position compared to HIMARS/ATACMS
With a range of up to 300 km, the Rad'a 300 is classified in the same category as the ATACMS missile fired from the HIMARS platform. A notable feature is its diverse pod configuration, ranging from unguided 122 mm rockets to 610 mm missiles with a range of 100–290 km, suitable for various mission requirements without changing the platform.
Source
According to NextGen Defense
