Wikipedia

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 Aerospace Forces and some other countries.

S-13 rocket launcher for 5 rockets (right) beside 2 S-8 rocket launchers mounted under a Sukhoi Su-25 during Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War 2015

Development edit

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.[1]

Launcher specifications edit

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 edit

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.[2]
S-13T[3] 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[4] 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[5] 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 edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Russia's Mi-28NM combat helicopter to get new powerful munitions".
  2. ^ "Rostec's Tecmash presents brand new S-13B unguided aviation missile".
  3. ^ "S-13-T". Rosoboronexport.
  4. ^ "S-13-OF". Rosoboronexport.
  5. ^ "S-13DF". Rosoboronexport.
  • 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 edit

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