Such vehicles exist for both
surface-to-air missiles and
surface-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 one
command post vehicle (CP or CPV). They may use target information from
target acquisition, designation and
guidance radar (TADAGR or TAR).
Transporter erector launcher and radar (TELAR) A
transporter erector launcher and radar (TELAR) is a type of TEL that also incorporates part or all of the radar system necessary for firing the
surface-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 a
rotating turret, or they may fire straight up.
Transporter launcher and radar (TLAR) A
transporter 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 the
9K330 Tor, which mounts a
vertical launching system (VLS)-style block of SAMs that correct their trajectory using rockets on the missile body itself.
Mobile erector launcher (MEL) The Patriot missile system has a
towed launch vehicle or
mobile erector launcher (
MEL).
Palletised erector launchers Another sub-set of the TEL are erector-launchers mounted to pallets, which can then be carried by suitable vehicles to create a TEL. The
MBDA iLauncher used to launch the
Sky Sabre missile is one example; a 15-tonne unit which is carried by
MAN HX trucks in
British Army service. == Rocket launch vehicle ==