S-13 rocket
# 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 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 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. 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

| 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 $m^2.$ 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. Introduced in 2021. |
| 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. Ordered upgraded in 2018. |
