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 fulfil similar role, as 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.

Launcher specifications

Rocket specifications

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)