 | This article includes a list ofgeneral references, butit lacks sufficient correspondinginline citations. Please help toimprove this article byintroducing more precise citations.(April 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Atransporter erector launcher (TEL) is amissile vehicle with an integratedtractor unit that can transport, elevate to a firing position and launch one or morerockets ormissiles.
Such vehicles exist for bothsurface-to-air missiles andsurface-to-surface missiles. Early on, such missiles were launched from fixed sites and had to be loaded onto trucks for transport, making them more vulnerable to attack, since once they were spotted by the enemy they could not easily be relocated, and if they were it often took hours or even days to prepare them for launch once they reached their new site.
Usually a number of TELs and TELARs are linked to onecommand post vehicle (CP or CPV). They may use target information fromtarget acquisition, designation andguidance radar (TADAGR or TAR).
Atransporter erector launcher and radar (TELAR) is a type of TEL that also incorporates part or all of the radar system necessary for firing thesurface-to-air missiles. Such vehicles have the capability of being autonomous, greatly enhancing their effectiveness. With this type of system each vehicle can fight regardless of the state or presence of support vehicles. The vehicle may have to aim the missile, usually through arotating turret, or they may fire straight up.
Atransporter launcher and radar (TLAR) is the same as a TELAR without the erector capability, because the missile in question is transported in the launch-ready position as default. An example is the9K330 Tor, which mounts avertical launching system (VLS)-style block of SAMs that correct their trajectory using rockets on the missile body itself.
The Patriot missile system has atowed launch vehicle ormobile erector launcher (MEL).[1]
.jpg)
Another sub-set of the TEL are erector-launchers mounted to pallets, which can then be carried by suitable vehicles to create a TEL. TheMBDA iLauncher used to launch theSky Sabre missile is one example; a 15-tonne unit which is carried byMAN HX trucks inBritish Army service.[2][3]
Inspaceflight, TELs are support structures used to transport arocketlaunch vehicle horizontally from an assembly facility to a nearby fixedlaunch pad where it is raised vertical for launch. It is similar to TELs, except the fact that most space rockets must be erected and launched with the appropriateinfrastructure, such as those found in aspaceport. This system is used by severalspace-launch agencies; theSoyuz has a TE that can be transported byrailway,SpaceX forits launch vehiclesFalcon 9 andHeavy (but notStarship).
Somesmall-lift launch vehicles, such as RussianStart-1 and ChineseKuaizhou series, can be launched from ordinary TELs from unprepared pads.
 |
.jpg)
