PULS (multiple rocket launcher)

PULS (Precise & Universal Launching System, formerly known as Lynx MRL) is a multiple rocket launcher developed and manufactured by ELBIT Systems (formerly Israel Military Industries) and used by Israel Defense Forces and other countries.

History
After the acquisition of Israel Military Industries by Elbit Systems in 2018, an upgraded and modernized version of the Lynx was developed, called the PULS (Precise & Universal Launching System). The Defense Technology Institute (DTI) of Thailand is partnering with Elbit Systems to develop a Thai version of the PULS called D-11A.

The EURO-PULS is being developed in cooperation between the German KNDS and ELBIT targeting the European market by integration of, additional missile types. As part of the project, the US made GMLRS and other HIMRAS missiles would have been integrated with the EURO-PULS launchers, however, the management of Lockheed Martin, the US missile manufacturer, refused to do so.

In January 2023, Denmark announced it is negotiating the acquisition of 8 PULS systems for the Royal Danish Army.

In March 2023, the Dutch Ministry of Defence announced that it would acquire 20 PULS systems for the Royal Netherlands Army with the first systems to be delivered in the same year. The contract worth 305 million dollars was signed on May 18.

On 10 October 2023, the government of Spain decided to order the locally manufactured version of the PULS systems for SILAM programme (es:SILAM).

Israel introduced the PULS into IDF service in 2020 under the name Lahav, which is a PULS rocket module mounted on a HEMTT truck chassis. It was first used operationally in February 2024 during the Israel–Hamas War.

Design
It can be configured to carry a variety of rockets in two sealed pod containers: 36 (2 pods × 18 rockets each) 122mm Grad rockets; or 26 (2×13) 160mm LAR-160 or ACCULAR rockets; or eight (2×4) 306mm EXTRA rockets; two (2×1) 330mm Delilah missiles or four (2×2) 370mm Predator Hawk tactical ballistic missiles.

The PULS also able to carry and launch SkyStriker loitering munitions, which is a unique feature among MLRS systems. The SkyStriker drones have a range over 100 km and 6 drones are packed into a single container according to a video published by Elbit Systems. The drone can engage moving targets unlike the other missiles of the PULS system, but it can also return and land after doing reconnaissance and can be relaunched again.

Missile options
Practice missiles with a range between 7-15 km are also available for the PULS system.

Operators

 * Israeli Ground Forces – Under the name of "Lahav".
 * Israeli Ground Forces – Under the name of "Lahav".


 * Azerbaijani Land Forces – 6 Lynx and 50 EXTRA missiles were acquired and then used in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War.
 * Azerbaijani Land Forces – 6 Lynx and 50 EXTRA missiles were acquired and then used in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War.


 * Royal Danish Army – 8 PULS delivered (contract signed on March 2, 2023) for USD133 million. The PULS is based on a Tatra T815 6×6. All the launchers and missiles were handed over by the end first quarter of 2024.
 * Royal Danish Army – 8 PULS delivered (contract signed on March 2, 2023) for USD133 million. The PULS is based on a Tatra T815 6×6. All the launchers and missiles were handed over by the end first quarter of 2024.


 * Kazakh Ground Forces – 18 Lynx and 50 EXTRA rockets ordered in 2007, delivered in 2008-09. The Naiza (a derivative of the Lynx) is a derivative of the Lynx developed in collaboration, based on the KamAZ-6350 8×8 chassis.
 * Kazakh Ground Forces – 18 Lynx and 50 EXTRA rockets ordered in 2007, delivered in 2008-09. The Naiza (a derivative of the Lynx) is a derivative of the Lynx developed in collaboration, based on the KamAZ-6350 8×8 chassis.


 * Rwandan Army – 5 Lynx ordered in 2007, in service since 2008.
 * Rwandan Army – 5 Lynx ordered in 2007, in service since 2008.

Future operators
Unknown customer
 * German Army – The German government decided to buy 5 PULS systems in collaboration with the Netherlands to replace the 5 MARS II (M270 MLRS) sent to Ukraine. It is likely to be installed on an armoured Iveco Trakker FSA 8×8 (GTF ZLK 15t )
 * Royal Netherlands Army – 20 PULS on order on Scania Gryphus chassis with armoured cabins. Contract worth US$305 million was signed on May 18, 2023, four vehicles to be delivered in 2023.
 * Spanish Army – 16 PULS were ordered in October 2023 for the program SILAM MLRS ("Sistema Lanzador de Alta Movilidad") for approximately €576.5 million. Elbit Systems is collaborating with a consortium made of Expal, Escribano Mechanical & Engineering, GMV and Iveco Defense Vehicle. Details of the contract:
 * Truck 8×8, Iveco M320 (ASTRA SM 88.45)
 * Accular 122: 16 pods, 288 missiles (18 missiles per pod)
 * EXTRA: 28 pods, 122 missiles (4 missiles per pod)
 * Predator Hawk: 32 launching pods, 64 missiles (2 missiles per pod)
 * Training rockets: 216 rockets
 * Predator Hawk: 32 launching pods, 64 missiles (2 missiles per pod)
 * Training rockets: 216 rockets


 * Elbit Systems announced on the 18th of July, 2023 that it was awarded a $150 million contract to supply PULS rocket launchers and a package of precision-guided long-range rockets to an international customer. The contract will be performed over a period of three years.

Potential operators

 * Royal Thai Army – The RTA is testing a localized version of the PULS.
 * Royal Thai Army – The RTA is testing a localized version of the PULS.


 * Philippine Army – Actively competing against the American HIMARS and South Korean K239 Chunmoo systems for the MLRS Acquisition Project.
 * Philippine Army – Actively competing against the American HIMARS and South Korean K239 Chunmoo systems for the MLRS Acquisition Project.