S-8 (rocket)

The S-8 is a rocket weapon developed by the Soviet Air Force for use by military aircraft. It remains in service with the Russian Air Force and various export customers.

A S-8 KOM HEAT/FRAG rocket.

Developed in the 1970s, the S-8 is an 80 mm (3.1 in) rocket used by fighter bombers and helicopters. The system entered service in 1984 and is produced in a variety of subtypes with different warheads, including HEAT anti-armor, high-explosive fragmentation, smoke, and incendiary, as well as the specialized S-8BM runway-destroying munition and the S-8DM fuel-air explosive variants. Each rocket is between 1.5 meters (4 ft 11 in) and 1.7 meters (5 ft 7 in) long and weighs between 11.3 kg (25 lb) and 15.2 kg (33.5 lb), depending on warhead and fuse. Range is 2 to 4 kilometers (1.3 to 2.6 mi).

The S-8 is generally carried in the B series of rocket pods, carrying either seven or 20 rockets.

In 2018, the Russian Aerospace Forces took delivery and completed state tests of several batches of the S-8OFP Broneboishchik, successor to the S-8. While both rockets are unguided, the S-8OFP has greater range, a heavier warhead, and a digital fuse. The rocket is intended for armament of Su-25 type aircraft and Mi-8 helicopters, depending on the settings of the fuse, is able to penetrate obstacles facing the set targets, it can also explode in front of the obstacle and behind the obstacle. [1][2][3]

An armored self-propelled 80-tube MLRS vehicle using S-8 rockets has been developed by Belorussian industry. Relatively short range of the rocket (3 - 5km cross-ground) compared to Grad rockets is compensated for by lower cost and greater beaten area from a high number of rockets.[4]

Rocket specifications
DesignationTypeLength overallLaunch weightWarhead weightRangeNotes
S-8HEAT1.56 m11.5 kg3.6 kg
(0.9 kg of Hecphol-5/A-IX-10 explosive)		1.3 to 4 kmBasic variant. 350 mm versus RHA. Velocity 692 m/s. N-26A fuze. BIK-2D motor powder. During launch of this model may have black smoke.
S-8KOHEAT1.57 m11.3 kg3.6 kg
(1.1 kg of Hecphol-5/A-IX-10 explosive)		1.3 to 4 km400 mm versus RHA. Velocity 610 m/s. Improved fuze V-5KP1. low smoke motor with powder BN-K.
S-8KOM [5]HEAT1.57 m11.3 kg3.6 kg
(1.1 kg of Hecphol-5/A-IX-10 explosive)		1.3 to 4 km400 mm versus RHA. Velocity 700 m/s. Used improved BNK-P low smoke motor powder with twice burn time.
S-8BPenetrating1.5 m15.2 kg7.41 kg (0.6 kg of explosive)1.2 to 2.2 km800 mm versus reinforced concrete.
S-8BM[6]Penetrating1.54 m15.2 kg7.41 kg (0.6 kg of explosive)1.2 to 2.2 km800 mm versus reinforced concrete. Velocity 450 m/s.
S-8DFAE1.66 m11.6 kg3.8 kg (2.15 kg of explosive)1.3 to 3 km
S-8DMFAE1.7 m11.6 kg3.8 kg (2.15 kg of explosive)1.3 to 3 km5.5–6 kg TNT equivalent. Velocity 590 m/s
S-8DF[7]FAE1.68 m13.4 kg5.5 kg (3.3 kg of explosive)1.3 to 4 km6 kg TNT equivalent. Velocity 500 m/s
S-8 OIlluminating1.63 m12.1 kg4.3 kg4 to 4.5 km2 megacandela flare warhead
S-8 OM[8]Illuminating1.63 m12.1 kg4.3 kg4 to 4.5 km2 megacandela flare warhead burns for 30 seconds. Velocity 545 m/s.
S-8T [9]Tandem-HEAT1.68 m15 kg6.6 kg (1.6 kg of explosive)1.3 to 4 kmTandem HEAT 360–400 mm versus RHA after ERA, 440 mm versus RHA. Velocity 470 m/s
S-8PChaff1.63 m12.3 kg4.5 kg of chaff2 to 3 km
S-8PM[10]Chaff1.63 m12.3 kg4.5 kg of chaff2 to 3 km545 m/s velocity.
S-8SFlechette1.612 m13 kg4.3 kg1.2 to 3.5 km2,000 flechettes in 5 bundles
S-8TsM[11]Target marking1.605 m11.1 kg3.6 kg1.3 to 2 km (heli)
1.3 to 3 km (plane)		target/route marking smoke visible 6 km away
S-8OFP1HE-Frag-Penetrating1.428 m16.7 kg9.2 kg
(2.8 kg of explosive)		up to 6 kmimproved motor with twice energy; pre-fragmented body; dual-mode fuzes allow to detonate after penetration of concrete or light armor; nicknamed "Broneboyshchik"

S-8OFP was already deployed in mid-late 2018 and have been seen at operational launch with Mi-35M helicopter.[12][13][14]

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See also

References
  1. https://ria.ru/20190217/1550984348.html
  2. New Air-ground Rocket For Russian Attack Aircraft. Aviation International News. 10 July 2018.
  3. https://www.armyrecognition.com/weapons_defence_industry_military_technology_uk/russia_continues_creating_missiles.html
  4. Unexpectedly, Syria might buy the Belarusian MLRS instead the Russian Grad. BulgarianMilitary.com. April 29, 2020
  5. "S-8KOM". Rosoboronexport.
  6. "S-8BM". Rosoboronexport.
  7. "S-8DF". Rosoboronexport.
  8. "S-8OM". Rosoboronexport.
  9. "S-8T". Rosoboronexport.
  10. "S-8PM". Rosoboronexport.
  11. "S-8TsM". Rosoboronexport.
  12. https://tvzvezda.ru/news/opk/content/201806251657-kptc.htm
  13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipfLEMfTLE8
  14. http://www.tsn24.ru/strelby-tulskoj-raketoj-bronebojshhik-popali-na-video.html
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