Transporter erector launcher - Definition and Overview

A transporter erector launcher or TEL describes a vehicle which carries one or more missiles and is able to elevate it into a firing position and launch it without having to remove the missile(s) from the vehicle. Such vehicles exist for both surface-to-air missiles and surface-to-surface missiles. Early 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 couldn't 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.

A transporter erector launcher and radar or TELAR is the same as a TEL but also incorporates part or all of the radar system necessary for firing the missile(s). 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 TEL/TELAR may have a rotating turntable which it can use to aim the missiles, the vehicle may have to turn to aim the missiles, or they may fire straight up.