S-13 rocket
Soviet 122 mm air-launched 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 Aerospace Forces and some other countries.
01Development
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. S-13 rocket system has been accepted for operation on Sukhoi Su-30MK2, Sukhoi Su-24M, Sukhoi Su-25, Sukhoi Su-35, Yakovlev Yak-130, MiG-29BM, Mil Mi-28N.
02Launcher 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 |
03Rocket 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. Introduced in 2021. |
| S-13T | 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 | 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 | 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. |
Sources and credits
This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “S-13 rocket”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.
Images, from Wikimedia Commons:
- Будни авиагруппы ВКС РФ на аэродроме «Хмеймим» (Сирийская Арабская Республика) (58).JPG by Russian Ministry of Defence, CC BY 4.0
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