View source for Alcotán-100

{{Short description|Spanish anti-tank rocket launcher system}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Alcotán-100
| image              = File:Alcotán-100.png
| caption            = Single use launcher attached with the reusable VOSEL firing control unit
| origin             = [[Spain]]
| type               = Ballistics computer-assisted [[anti-tank]] [[shoulder-launched missile weapon|shoulder-launched rocket]] system<ref name="ALCOTAN-100 (M2)" />
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged          = yes
| is_explosive       = yes
| is_missile         = yes
<!-- Service history -->| service            = 2002–present
| used_by            = See [[#Users|Users]]
| wars               = <!-- Production history -->
| designer           = 
| design_date        = 
| manufacturer       = [[Instalaza SA]]
| unit_cost          = Approx. 17,500 ~ 24,500 $ <ref>PAKISTAN’S ANTI-TANK GUIDED MISSILE REQUIREMENTS
https://quwa.org/2019/10/27/pakistans-anti-tank-guided-missile-requirements-2/</ref>
| production_date    = 1998{{ndash}}present
| number             = 
| variants           = {{ubl|'''ALCOTAN-AT (M2)''' munition: [[Anti-tank]] behind [[Reactive armour#Explosive reactive armour|ERA]]|'''ALCOTAN-BIV (M2)''' munition: Dual purpose (anti-armour + fragmentation)|'''ALCOTAN-ABK (M2)''' munition: Anti-bunker
'''ALCOTAN-MP (M2)''' munition: Multi-purpose, three different modes (impact, impact delay and airburst)}}
<!-- General specifications -->| weight             = {{convert|14|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<ref name="Site" />
| length             = {{convert|1.15|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| crew               = 1
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->| caliber            = {{convert|100|mm|in|abbr=on}}
| velocity           = 
| range              = {{convert|600|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| max_range          = 
| sights             = [[Telescopic sight]] with [[Night-vision device|night vision]]
<!-- Explosive specifications -->| diameter           = 
| filling            = {{ubl|[[HEAT]]|[[Fragmentation (weaponry)|HE/FRAG]]|[[High-explosive anti-tank#High-explosive dual-purpose|HEDP]]}}
| filling_weight     = 
| detonation         = 
| yield              = {{convert|700|mm|in|abbr=on}} penetration ([[Reactive armour#Explosive reactive armour|ERA]] + armour steel)
<!-- Missiles only -->| propellant         = [[Solid-fuel rocket]]
| launch_platform    = [[Man-portable anti-tank systems|Man-portable launcher]]
}}

'''Alcotán-100''' is a [[recoil]]less, one-man portable, single-use (firing control unit is reusable) [[anti-tank]] [[Shoulder-launched missile weapon|rocket launcher]] system used by [[infantry]], manufactured by [[Instalaza]].<ref name="ALCOTAN-100 (M2)">{{Cite web |title=ALCOTAN-100 (M2), the highest performance in unguided shoulder launched systems |url=http://instalaza.com/producto/alcotan/?lang=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316092840/http://instalaza.com/producto/alcotan/?lang=en |archive-date=16 March 2022 |access-date=4 February 2022 |website=Instalaza |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Site">{{Cite web |title=ALCOTAN-100 |url=http://usuarios.multimania.es/instalaza/alcotan.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017003456/http://usuarios.multimania.es/instalaza/alcotan.html |archive-date=17 October 2012 |access-date=12 July 2010 |language=es}}</ref> The firing control unit predicts the future aiming point based on calculation before the  rocket fire.<ref name="ALCOTAN-100 (M2)" /> It is being used as an infantry-type weapon and fireable from confined spaces. Instalaza claiming it to be, "the highest performance in unguided shoulder launched systems".<ref name="ALCOTAN-100 (M2)" /> It is in service with the [[Spanish Armed Forces]] and exported to other countries.

The ALCOTAN-100 shoulder launched weapon system has been deployed successfully in several conflicts around the World.

==History==
Production of the Alcotán-100 began in 1998.<ref name="Tanks">{{Cite web |last=Malory |first=Marcia |title=Spain - Alcotán-100 Weapon System - Anti Tank Weapons |url=http://www.tanks.net/anti-tank-weapons/spain-alcotan-100-weapon-system.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331130559/http://www.tanks.net/anti-tank-weapons/spain-alcotan-100-weapon-system.html |archive-date=31 March 2014 |access-date=24 June 2013 |website=Army Tanks |publisher=tanks.net |language=en}}</ref>

==Description==
The Alcotán-100 fires a {{convert|100|mm|in|abbr=on}} HEAT charge, in addition to HE/FRAG and HEDP (dual-purpose) rounds, and the weapon can be fired from confined spaces.  The weapon also has a laser range finder and a ballistic computer; this firing control unit must be turned on before the weapon can be operated.<ref name=Tanks />

===VOSEL Fire System===
The VOSEL fire control unit is available in two different versions, ''VOSEL (M2)'' and ''VOSEL (M2)-IR''.<ref name="ALCOTAN-100 (M2)" /> The ''VOSEL (M2)'' fire system gives the ''Alcotán-100 (M2)'' a high hit probability. It incorporates night vision that allows the operator to identify a target up to 1,200 metres in the night, a laser rangefinder with a range up to 2,000 metres and a ballistic computer.<ref name="Site" /> After calculating the lead of the moving target, the computer will shows the gunner the future aiming point. The soldier then uses the aiming point to  a hit. This mechanism reduces the reaction time and maximize the hit [[probability]].<ref name="ALCOTAN-100 (M2)" />

The VOSEL fire system can be used separately from the launcher tube as a night surveillance telemetric device.<ref name="Site" />

==Specifications==
[[File:Alcotán 100.JPG|230px|thumb|right|Cutaway model of the Alcotán-100]]

* '''Calibre''': 100&nbsp;mm
* '''Length''': 1.15 m
* '''Weight''': 
** Launcher with projectile:<ref name="ALCOTAN-100 (M2)" /> 10.5&nbsp;kg ALCOTAN-AT (M2), 10&nbsp;kg ALCOTAN-BIV (M2), 9.8&nbsp;kg ALCOTAN-ABK (M2), 10.3&nbsp;kg ALCOTAN-MP (M2)
** Fire system: 4.5&nbsp;kg<ref name="Site" />
* '''Range''':<ref name="ALCOTAN-100 (M2)" /> 
**30 m to 600 m point target for the ALCOTAN-AT (M2), ALCOTAN-BIV (M2), ALCOTAN-ABK (M2) and ALCOTAN-MP (M2) 
** >1,000 m  for ALCOTAN-BIV (M2) (area target) and 1,000 m for ALCOTAN-MP (M2) (airbust)
* '''Engine''': [[Solid-fuel rocket]]
* '''Penetration''':<ref name="ALCOTAN-100 (M2)" /> 
**Anti-tank ALCOTAN-AT (M2): 700&nbsp;mm ([[Reactive armour#Explosive reactive armour|explosive reactive armour]] + armour steel)
**Dual purpose ALCOTAN-BIV (M2): 400&nbsp;mm (armour steel) along with >1000 fragments
** Anti-bunker ALCOTAN-ABK (M2):  350&nbsp;mm (concrete, ∅ >50&nbsp;mm for 2nd warhead follow-through) along with >2500 fragments inside bunker, 170&nbsp;mm (armour steel)
** Multi-purpose ALCOTAN-MP (M2): Effective against light armour and brick walls, >3000 fragments  (airbust)

==Users==
===Current operators===
;{{flag|Bahrain}}
*[[Bahrain Defence Force]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/jeremybinnie/status/1093457616813129728 |website=Twitter |access-date=1 May 2022}}</ref>
;{{flag|Bangladesh}}: 
*[[Bangladesh Army]]: ALCOTAN-AT (M2) and ALCOTAN-BIV (M2) along with VOSEL (M2) firing control units.<ref name="BD_galaxia">{{cite news |author=Alain Henry de Frahan |date= 27 March 2024 |title=El Ejército de Bangladesh adquiere armamento antitanque español Alcotan-100 |trans-title=Bangladesh Army acquires Spanish Alcotan-100 anti-tank weapons |url=https://galaxiamilitar.es/el-ejercito-de-bangladesh-adquiere-armamento-antitanque-espanol-alcotan-100/ |language= Spanish|work=Galaxia Miltar |location=Spain |access-date= 13 November 2024}}</ref>
*[[Border Guard Bangladesh]]: ALCOTAN-100 along with VOSEL (M2) firing control units.<ref name="BD_galaxia"/>
;{{flag|Pakistan}}
*[[Pakistan Armed Forces]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Khan |first1=Bilal |title=Pakistan acquired Instalaza Alcotán-100 anti-tank rocket systems |url=https://quwa.org/2017/05/22/pakistan-acquired-instalaza-alcotan-100-anti-tank-rocket-systems/ |website=Quwa |access-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419004805/https://quwa.org/2017/05/22/pakistan-acquired-instalaza-alcotan-100-anti-tank-rocket-systems/ |archive-date=19 April 2021 |date=22 May 2017}}</ref>
;{{flag|Peru}}
*Special Forces<ref name="News">{{Cite web |title=Future of Alcotan-100 Hangs on Spanish Army Procurement |url=http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/116312/infantry-battlefield-missiles%3A-market-briefs.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223215728/http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/116312/infantry-battlefield-missiles:-market-briefs.html |archive-date=23 February 2020 |access-date=17 July 2010 |website=defense-aerospace.com |language=en |publication-date=9 July 2010 |via=Forecast International}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Unknown title |url=http://defensa.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4753:lanzacohetes-instalaza-para-la-1ra-brigada-de-fuerzas-especiales-de-peru&catid=55:latinoamerica&Itemid=163 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130091539/http://www.defensa.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4753:lanzacohetes-instalaza-para-la-1ra-brigada-de-fuerzas-especiales-de-peru&catid=55:latinoamerica&Itemid=163 |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 January 2018 |access-date=17 November 2011 |language=es |df=dmy-all}} </ref>
*Cavalry and mountain infantry units, with 74 launchers with 660 rockets.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cruz Tantalean |first=Cesar |date=4 August 2013 |title=Peru receives, displays new anti-tank weapons |language=en |work=[[Janes Information Services|Janes]] |location=Lima, Peru |publication-place=Coulsdon, United Kingdom |url=http://www.janes.com/article/25700/peru-receives-displays-new-anti-tank-weapons |url-status=dead |access-date=17 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815031251/http://www.janes.com/article/25700/peru-receives-displays-new-anti-tank-weapons |archive-date=15 August 2013}}</ref>
;{{flag|Spain}}
*[[Spanish Armed Forces]]
;{{flag|Ukraine}}
*[[Armed Forces of Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Toro |first1=Carlos |title=Las armas que envía España a Ucrania, de bajo calibre y nada de misiles tierra-aire |url=https://www.elmundo.es/espana/2022/03/04/6220fd1fe4d4d8bc048b4594.html |access-date=1 May 2022 |work=El Mundo |date=4 March 2022 |language=es}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of rocket launchers]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alcotan-100}}
[[Category:Anti-tank rockets]]
[[Category:Weapons of Spain]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1990s]]
[[Category:Disposable products]]