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.

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

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.

Launcher specifications
DesignationLengthDiameterUnloaded weightNumber of rocketsNotes
B-13L3.56 m0.410 m160 kg50.15 seconds firing interval
B-13L13.06 m0.410 m140 kg50.15 seconds firing interval

Rocket specifications
DesignationTypeLength overallLaunch weightWarhead weightRangeNotes
S-13Penetration2.54 m57 kg21 kg
(1.82 kg of explosive)		1.1 – 3 kmPenetrates 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-13BPenetration2.63 m60 kg23 kg
(1.92 kg of explosive)		n/aPenetrates 3 m of earth and 1 m of concrete.
S-13T[1]Tandem HEAT2.99 m75 kg21 kg and 16.3 kg (1.8 kg and 2.7 kg of explosives)1.1 – 4 kmCombined penetration of 6 m of earth and 1 m of reinforced concrete. Velocity 500 m/s
S-13OF[2]APAM/FRAG2.97 m69 kg33 kg
(7 kg of explosive)		1.6 – 3 kmProduces 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-13DFAE3.12 m68 kg32 kg
(14.2 kg of fuel)		1.6 – 3 km35 – 40 kg TNT equivalent. Velocity 530 m/s. Introduced in 1995.
S-13DF[3]FAE3.12 m68 kg32 kg
(14.6 kg of fuel)		0.5 – 6 kmUp to 40 kg TNT equivalent. Velocity 530 m/s. Ordered upgraded in 2018.
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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, 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)
  1. "S-13-T". Rosoboronexport.
  2. "S-13-OF". Rosoboronexport.
  3. "S-13DF". Rosoboronexport.
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