Syria's DIY Katyushas: The Jaljalat and Arrow of Islam

Previously we looked at the locally manufactured Sham Freedom missile, and considered its more effective use as truck-mounted rocket artillery.

At least two truck-mounted, locally manufactured Katyushas have been documented in Syria since 2013:

1. The Jaljlat 

Manufacturer: The Umma Brigade 
Launcher Tube Diameter: ~ 130 - 120 mm
Launcher Tube Length: ~ 3.5 m
Magazine: 14 rockets
First appearance: April, 2013

We can start with some basic Google SketchUp pixel measurements to get an idea of Jaljlat rocket diameter and length.

 

 If we assume the measured frame bar is 2" or 50 mm square tubing, we arrive at diameter = (1365/575)*50.8 = 120.4 mm and length = (41590/576) = 3,668 mm.  

As these measures are quite similar to that of a 122 mm Grad, could we be looking at a locally manufactured launcher, using conventionally produced Grad rockets?

A video on the Jaljlat, titled "Statement by the Umma Brigade on the Locally Manufactured Jaljlat Grad Rocket Launcher," uploaded April 30, 2013, claims the system is indeed intended to launch Grad rather than locally manufactured rockets.



Approximate video translation:

Operator:

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Praise be to the Lord of the Worlds, and prayers and peace upon Mohamed, the liege of the Mujahedin. 

Said, the Most High: "And prepare against them what you may of your forces and tethered steeds, and terrorize the enemies of Allah, and your enemies." Believe in Almighty God.

This is the Jaljlat launcher, manufactured by the Ummah Brigade, by the hero mujahedin, to strike the Assadist gangs, wherever they are, and wherever they encamp. 

And we are, in this brigade, ready to assist all other brigades, to build launchers like this one, to strike al-Assad's gangs, wherever they are, and wherever they encamp. 

God is Greatest, God is Greatest, and Glory be to God.


2. The Arrow of Islam

While the Jaljlt appears to launch conventional military munitions, the Arrow of Islam launcher appears to fire the locally manufactured Islam 3 rocket, seen also here.

Manufacture:  The Brigade of Islam
Missile Diameter: ~150 mm
Missile Length:  ~ 3,000 - 3,500 mm
Magazine: 3 with a two missile reload
First appearance: September, 2013



The launch vehicle may be a Ural-4320, a common vehicle in the Syrian Army inventory.
 
We start by searching our photographs for a known measurement to compare missile dimensions against. Schematics put the Ural-4320 vehicle tire width at 500 mm. A spare is 470 mm.

 

Using the 500 mm tire width schematic measure as a reference in our second photograph, a quick SketchUp measure puts the Islam 3 missile diameter at ~150 mm. Next, the approximately 2,200 mm tire-to-tire measure means the missile body approaches ~ 3,000 mm. And if we assume the missile length is actually closer to the full measure of the Ural-4320 bed length, it grows to ~3,500 mm. 
 
To however approach the reported range of "60 km," the Islam 3 would need to be closer in dimensions to a Fadjr-5, with a 75 km range. With a 333 mm diameter, the Fadjr-5 is much larger. A locally manufactured weapon approaching the range of a Fadjr-series projectile would indeed be an impressive feat, and may be accomplished with a lighter payload.