The S‑5 is a family of 57 mm (2.24 in) unguided rockets developed in the Soviet Union for air‑to‑ground and air‑to‑air employment. Designed in the late 1950s and entering service in the early 1960s, the rockets have been mounted on a wide range of Soviet and Russian military aircraft, including fighter‑bombers, attack aircraft, and helicopters.
Development and design
- Origin: Soviet Union, OKB-16 (later part of the Tula Design Bureau).
- First production: 1960.
- Configuration: fin‑stabilized, solid‑propellant rocket motor with a cylindrical body.
- Length: approximately 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in).
- Launch weight: around 33 kg (73 lb).
Warhead and performance
- Standard warhead: high‑explosive fragmentation, weighing roughly 2.3 kg (5 lb) with a fragmentation radius of about 30 m.
- Alternate warheads: incendiary, smoke, and illumination variants have been produced.
- Motor thrust: provides a muzzle velocity near 1,050 m s⁻¹ (Mach ≈ 2.2).
- Effective range: 1 km to 3 km, depending on launch altitude and angle.
Variants
- S‑5 (original) – baseline model with high‑explosive warhead.
- S‑5M – improved motor and aerodynamic refinements for greater reliability.
- S‑5M2 – introduced a more powerful warhead and optional proximity fusing.
- S‑5M3 – further enhanced motor performance and compatibility with modern launch rails.
Operational use
The S‑5 rockets are launched from standardized 57 mm launch rails, typically arranged in pods containing four rockets each. They have been employed by Soviet and later Russian air forces on platforms such as the MiG‑21, MiG‑23, Su‑17, Su‑24, Su‑25, and various helicopter types (e.g., Mil Mi‑24). The rockets have also seen export to numerous countries that operate former Soviet equipment, including India, Vietnam, and several Eastern European and African states.
Current status
While newer guided munitions have reduced the prominence of unguided rockets in many modern air forces, the S‑5 family remains in service in several nations due to its low cost, ease of integration, and adequate performance for close‑support roles. Modern upgrades focus on improving motor consistency and compatibility with contemporary aircraft avionics.
References
- Soviet and Russian military equipment manuals (public domain).
- Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft (various editions).
- International Institute for Strategic Studies, The Military Balance (latest edition).
