The S-13 is a 122mm 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.

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 80mm and 240mm rockets and fulfill a role similar to the 127mm 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.

Launcher specifications

Rocket specifications

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,

• Mil Mi-24 Hind Attack Helicopter, Yefim Gordon and Dimitri Komissarov,

• Jane's Air Launched Weapons Issue 36, Duncan Lennox,

• 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)