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ALCOTAN-100

ALCOTAN-100 (M2) is a 100 mm calibre weapon system for infantry, fireable from confined spaces, composed of reusable firing control units, VOSEL (M2) with integrated night vision based on Image Intensifier Tube and VOSEL (M2)-IR with integrated thermal camera. The VOSEL fire control units calculate the target position and trajectory, measure the propellant temperature, calculate the projectile trajectory and show the gunner the future aiming point to maximize the hit probability.

The Alcotán-100 grenade launcher acquisition project began in 2003. It arose to provide Infantry and Cavalry units with a system that would increase the firepower of small units up to medium distance. After several improvements and modifications, users are getting the M2 version, manufactured by the Spanish company Instalaza; Only a remnant of ammunition remains from the first version which, as soon as it is finished, will lead to its disappearance due to incompatibility problems with the new one, which offers better features and capabilities, and whose handling is even faster and easier.

The distribution of these new systems began in 2009, among the units of the Force —Light Infantry, Cavalry, and Engineers—, where the more than 500 grenade launchers and the almost 300 planned firing directions will end up. The system is completed with a simulator and a trainer, of which 23 and 53 were expected to be delivered, respectively.

The Alcotán-100 is a light weapon, which is placed on the shoulder to shoot, and has a range of more than 500 meters. It covers the intermediate range between the C-90 grenade launcher and the Spike missile, and its characteristics allow it to hit a wide variety of targets, such as current battle tanks equipped with the most modern armor. It has low recoil and its visual and acoustic signature is minimal.

The system is made up of two main components: on the one hand, the ammunition; and on the other, the shooting direction. The ammunition is made up of the launch tube, the launch motor and the projectile. It is packed and disposable. The M2 version of the Vosel fire direction gives this weapon a high first shot hit probability.

To train the shooters of the Alcotán, a two-phase training system has been developed. The first is done by means of a classroom trainer called SAARA (Autonomous System for Rapid Learning in Classroom). It is a portable piece of equipment, easy to use, which simulates the conditions of use of the weapon. The equipment shows on a screen the image of a target, which can be static or move in various directions and at various speeds, at which the shooter must shoot, using a simulated weapon that faithfully reproduces the shape, weight and handling of the real weapon. From the checkpoint, the instructor has selected a computer-generated target—with which he can determine distance, speed, and direction, both day and night—or actual footage, which includes simultaneous targets.

The second phase takes place in the field or in a shooting gallery. During this, a Vosel fire direction and a TR-ALC (M2) subcaliber trainer are used. The direction of fire is the same used with the weapon of war, and it identifies the trainer subcaliber automatically to be connected, but with all the functions of the direction of fire equally operative.

The TR-ALC has the same external shape, dimensions and weight as a live ammunition, and is handled in the same way. The ammunition used by this trainer is a cartridge of specific design, called CAR. TR-ALC, consisting of a tracer bullet and a slipstream charge. Due to the characteristics of the tracer bullet, both the instructor and the shooter can follow the trace to the target, which allows an immediate evaluation of the shot. The slipstream charge simulates the rear effect of live ammunition.