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.
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 Su-17/20/22, Su-24, Su-25, Su-27, MiG-23BN, MiG-27, MiG-29. B-13L1 launcher is used by helicopters, like Mil Mi-24, Mil Mi-28, Ka-29TB, Ka-50, Ka-52.
Ugroza Upgrades
Ugroza (Menace) Precision-guided weapon system are upgrades done to the various "dumb" munitions, including the S-5, S-8, and S-13 rockets. The system upgrades the unguided rockets to rockets guided by either Laser guidance or Optical guidance(via a TV screen.) Guidance via laser will only require a Laser target designator from either a airborne or land based source to "paint" a target for 3 seconds. Ugroza will allow rockets to be ripple fired 2-7 rockets from their maximum kinematic range, while still providing accurate strikes. Reported CEP is 0.8 to 1.6 m, while maximum ranges of rockets varies from the rockets used, from 1.5-9 km.
Rockets upgraded with Ugroza are given the suffix of "Kor". The S-5Kor has a reported range of 2.5-7 km, with a maximum speed of 430 m/s. The rocket weighs 5.85 kg at launch, with a 0.5 kg TNT equivalent warhead, it can penetrate 200 mm of RHA.
The S-8Kor has a reported range of 2.5-8 km, with a maximum speed of 480 m/s, the rocket weighs 15.2 kg at launch, and the BM-8 projectile, weighs 6 kg, with 1.8 kg of TNT equivalency and the ability to penetrate 400 mm of RHA.
The S-13Kor has a reported range of 2.5-9 km, with a maximum speed of 480 m/s. The rocket weighs 70 kg at launch, with the BM-13 projectile having 5.2 kg of TNT equivalency and able to penetrate 700 mm of RHA.
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 | 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 |
See also
External links
- http://warfare.ru/?linkid=2513&catid=346
- http://worldweapon.ru/vertuski/s13.php - photos (and description in Russian)
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 Gurzęda: Npr S-13 i wyrzutnia B-13L in: Aeroplan nr. 1(58)/2006 (in Polish)