S-13 rocket
The S-13 is a 122 mm calibre unguided rocket weapon developed by the Soviet Air Force for use by military aircraft. It remains in service with the Russian Air Force and some other countries.
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Development
The S-13 rocket was developed in the 1970s to meet requirements for a penetrating weapon capable of cratering runways and penetrating hardened aircraft shelters, bunkers and pillboxes, to fill a gap between 80 mm and 240 mm rockets and fulfill a role similar to the 127 mm Zuni rocket. The S-13 is conventional in layout, with a solid rocket motor and folding tail fins that provide stability after launch.
The first trials were in 1973, but it was introduced only in 1983. S-13 rockets are shot from 5-tube launchers B-13L, that can be carried by most of Soviet and Russian attack and new fighter aircraft, like Sukhoi Su-17/20/22, Sukhoi Su-24, Sukhoi Su-25, Sukhoi Su-27, MiG-23BN, MiG-27, MiG-29. B-13L1 launcher is used by helicopters such as Mil Mi-24, Mil Mi-28, Kamov Ka-29TB, Kamov Ka-50 and Kamov Ka-52.
Launcher specifications
Designation | Length | Diameter | Unloaded weight | Number of rockets | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
B-13L | 3.56 m | 0.410 m | 160 kg | 5 | 0.15 seconds firing interval |
B-13L1 | 3.06 m | 0.410 m | 140 kg | 5 | 0.15 seconds firing interval |
Rocket specifications
Designation | Type | Length overall | Launch weight | Warhead weight | Range | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S-13 | Penetration | 2.54 m | 57 kg | 21 kg (1.82 kg of explosive) | 1.1 – 3 km | Penetrates 3 m of earth and 1 m of reinforced concrete. On runways it produces a demolition area of 20 m2. Velocity 650 m/s |
S-13B | Penetration | 2.63 m | 60 kg | 23 kg (1.92 kg of explosive) | n/a | Penetrates 3 m of earth and 1 m of concrete. |
S-13T[1] | Tandem HEAT | 2.99 m | 75 kg | 21 kg and 16.3 kg (1.8 kg and 2.7 kg of explosives) | 1.1 – 4 km | Combined penetration of 6 m of earth and 1 m of reinforced concrete. Velocity 500 m/s |
S-13OF[2] | APAM/FRAG | 2.97 m | 69 kg | 33 kg (7 kg of explosive) | 1.6 – 3 km | Produces 450 splinters between 23 and 35 g, capable of penetrating lightly armoured vehicles such as APCs and IFVs. Velocity 530 m/s. Introduced in 1993. |
S-13D | FAE | 3.12 m | 68 kg | 32 kg (14.2 kg of fuel) | 1.6 – 3 km | 35 – 40 kg TNT equivalent. Velocity 530 m/s. Introduced in 1995. |
S-13DF[3] | FAE | 3.12 m | 68 kg | 32 kg (14.6 kg of fuel) | 0.5 – 6 km | Up to 40 kg TNT equivalent. Velocity 530 m/s. Ordered upgraded in 2018. |
See also
- S-8 rocket
- S-24 rocket
- Ugroza, a proposed upgrade of "dumb" rockets to salvo-fired laser-guided precision missiles
References
- Soviet/Russian Aircraft Weapons Since World War Two, Yefim Gordon, ISBN 1-85780-188-1
- Mil Mi-24 Hind Attack Helicopter, Yefim Gordon and Dimitri Komissarov, ISBN 1-84037-238-9
- Jane's Air Launched Weapons Issue 36, Duncan Lennox, ISBN 0-7106-0866-7
- Robert Grzęda: Npr S-13 i wyrzutnia B-13L in: Aeroplan nr. 1(58)/2006 (in Polish)
External links
- http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/global-defense-security-news/global-news-2018/september/4531-russian-combat-helicopters-to-receive-new-s-13df-unguided-rockets.html
- http://worldweapon.ru/vertuski/s13.php - photos (and description in Russian)