Piorun (missile)
The Piorun (meaning "lighting" in Polish) is a man-portable air-defense system of Polish production, designed to destroying low-flying aircraft, airplanes, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. The set is a deep modernization of the PPZR Grom set, therefore the second designation of the missile is GROM-M. The full name of the set is PPZR Piorun (pol. Przenośny Przeciwlotniczy Zestaw Rakietowy Piorun).[1]
PPZR Piorun | |
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![]() PPZR Piorun missile with launcher | |
Type | Man-Portable SAM |
Place of origin | Poland |
Service history | |
In service | 2019–present |
Used by | Polish Armed Forces |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | Mesko, Skarżysko-Kamienna |
Produced | 2016–present |
Specifications | |
Mass | 16.5 kilograms (36 lb), and for missile only 10.5 kilograms (23 lb) |
Diameter | 72 millimetres (2.8 in) |
Warhead weight | 182 kilograms (401 lb) |
Detonation mechanism | contact |
Engine | solid fuel rocket |
Operational range | 6.5 kilometres (4.0 mi) |
Flight altitude | 4 kilometres (13,000 ft) |
Maximum speed | 660 metres per second (2,200 ft/s) |
Guidance system | infrared |
Launch platform | MANPADS |
History
The Piorun Portable Anti-Aircraft Missile System is produced by the Mesko company and was created as a result of the GROM system modernization carried out in 2010-2015. As part of the modernization, the effectiveness of the homing warhead was significantly improved by increasing the sensitivity of detection, which increased the distance at which the missile is able to target and hit the target, increased resistance to interference was obtained, a proximity fuse was used, an access authorization system and the set for fire was adapted in night conditions.[2][3][4]
In 2016, the Ministry of National Defence signed a contract for the purchase of 420 launchers (launch mechanisms) and 1,300 rockets for the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland. The deliveries are planned for 2017-2020. As a result of delays resulting from technical problems related to the propulsion system, which were, however, resolved and after a successful acceptance test, the delivery of rockets and launch devices began in 2019. In 2020, Piorun missiles were fired from Poprad self-propelled anti-aircraft missile systems. The missiles are used not only by Poprad, but also by anti-aircraft missile and artillery system PSR-A Pilica.[2][1]
Technical data
System operation | 1 person |
Set weight | 16,5 kg |
Missile weight | 10,5 kg |
Warhead weight | 1,82 kg |
Missile length | 1596 mm |
Missile diameter | 72 mm |
Missile maximum speed | 660 m/s |
Maximum speed of hit targets on the:
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Minimum / maximum range of hitting targets | 400-6500 m |
The minimum / maximum height of the target's destruction | 10-4000 m |
Guidance system | Infrared |
References
- "Pierwsze strzelanie Piorunami z Popradów". www.milmag.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2021-01-03.
- "PPZR PIORUN". wml.wat.edu.pl. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
- "Pioruny i nowe Spike już w wojsku - Defence24". www.defence24.pl. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
- "Umowa na zakup zestawów "PIORUN"". Ministry of National Defence (Poland).