Soviet Explosive Ordnance - Rockets

  

  

  

  

Soviet Explosive Ordnance

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

82mm Rocket, HE, Model RS-82

  

  

This high-explosive rocket originally was designed to be launched from aircraft; however, it was also used as a ground-to-air or ground-to-ground rocket.   The RO-82 aircraft launcher, or a 48-round truck-mounted ground launcher (designation unknown), may be used to fire this rocket.  High-explosive rocket fire is used against a variety of ground targets.

  

This rocket, 24.4 inches in length without the fuze, consists of a warhead, a motor body, and a tail unit with four stabilizing fins.  Studs threaded into each end of the motor body guide the rocket along the slotted launcher rail.  The warhead is a machined steel forging in which three circumferential grooves are cut to facilitate fragmentation.  The propeller-armed nose fuze is inserted into the threaded well of the warhead.  The AGDT-a fuze is used with this rocket for fire against aerial targets, and the AM-a fuze is used for ground fire.

  

The motor body, a machined cylinder, is closed at the forward end except for an internally threaded flange by means of which it is attached to the rear of the warhead.  A black powder igniter placed at each end of the propellent charge in the motor body is ignited by the PP-1 or PP-4 flash cartridges.  The rear end of the motor body is threaded internally to accommodate the single nozzle. 

  

Each of the four stabilizing fins is constructed of two pieces of sheet metal, which are welded together, slotted, and welded to the metal cone covering the nozzle.

  

  

  

Characteristics

Caliber: 82mm (3.23 in)

Total weight of rocket: 6.82kg (15 lbs)

Weight of warhead: 2.5kg (5.5 lbs)

Weight of propellant: 1.06kg (2.3 lbs)

Type of warhead filler: TNT

Weight of warhead filler: 0.4kg (0.88 lb)

Maximum velocity: 350 m/s (1,148 fps)

Maximum range: 6km (6,780 yards)

  

  

Packaging

  

(No Illustration Available) 

  

The Model RS-82 rocket is crated (without fuze) at the munitions plant.  Fuzes are packed seperately in small wooden boxes.  The fuze well in the warhead is filled with a wooden insert and sealed with a threaded plug for shipment, both of which are removed and replaced by the appropriate fuze, in order to arm the rocket.

  

The combustion chamber is armed with PP-1 or PP-4 flash cartridges at the factory.  The rockets are covered with grease as a protection from corrosion and rust.

  

Crates are marked with a tag identifying the lot number of the shipment, the year of manufacture, the manufacturing plant, and the number of rockets contained within the crate.

  

  

  

  

  

82mm Rocket, AP, Model RBS-82

  

   

This armor-piercing rocket originally was designed to be launched from the 82mm aircraft launcher RO-82; however, it is believed that it also may be fired from a 48-round truck-mounted ground launcher (designation unknown).  The RBS-82 armor-piercing rocket is designed for fire against armored targets.  It is designed to penetrate armor up to 50mm (2 inches) in thickness.  This rocket is reported to have been used successfully against German armor in World War II.

  

The RBS-82 rocket, 40.75 inches in length, consists of a warhead, a motor body, and a tail unit with stabilizing fins.  Studs are threaded into each end of the motor body to guide the rocket along the slotted launcher rail.  The warhead is filled with TNT, and is thicker-walled than that of the RS-82.

  

The forward end of the warhead is bluntly rounded and flat-nosed to reduce ricochet, but it is fitted with a metal or plastic ballistic cap.  The AV-96 impact fuze used with this rocket is seated in a threaded well in the base of the warhead.  The motor body is longer than that of the RS-82, and it contains three powder sticks and three igniters; it is threaded to the base plate of the warhead.  The propellant is ignited by means of PP-1 or PP-4 flash cartridges, which are inserted into flash cartridge holders in the rocket launcher.  The nozzle assembly is threaded into the rear of the motor body.

  

Each of the four stabilizing fins is constructed of two pieces of sheet metal welded together.  The fins are slotted and welded to the metal cone covering the nozzle.

  

   

  

Characteristics

Caliber: 82mm (3.23 in)

Total weight of rocket: 15kg (33 lbs)

Weight of warhead: 7.27kg (16 lbs)

Weight of propellant: 2.5kg (5.5 lbs)

Type of warhead filler: TNT

Weight of warhead filler: 0.48kg (1.06 lb)

Maximum velocity: 360 m/s (1,180 fps)

Maximum range: 6.4km (7,000 yards)

  

  

Packaging

  

 (No Illustration Available) 

  

The armor-piercing rocket RBS-82 is crated (with fuze) at the munitions plant.  PP-1 and PP-4 flash cartridges are shipped seperately.  The rocket is covered with grease as a protection from corrosion and rust.

  

Crates are marked with a tag identifying the lot number of the shipment, the year of manufacture, the manufacturing plant, and the number of rockets contained within the crate.

  

  

  

  

  

132mm Rocket, HE, Model RS-132

   

  

This high-explosive rocket originally was designed to be launched from aircraft; however, it also has been used as a ground-to-ground rocket.  The RO-132 aircraft launcher, or the M-13 (a 16-rocket truck-mounted ground launcher), is used to fire this rocket.  High-explosive rocket fire is used against a variety of ground targets.  The RS-132, an enlarged version of the RS-82, is one of the standard Soviet rockets.

   

This rocket, 36.8 inches long without the fuze, consists of a warhead, a motor body, and a tail unit with four stabilizing fins.  Studs threaded into each end of the motor body guide the rocket along the slotted launcher rail.  The warhead is a machined steel forging in which three circumferential grooves are cut to facilitate fragmentation.  The propeller-armed nose fuze is inserted into the threaded well of the warhead.  The AGDT-a fuze is used with this rocket when it is fired from aircraft, and the AM-a fuze is used for ground-to-ground fire.

  

The motor body is a machined cylinder containing the propellent charge, and it is closed at the forward end except for an internally threaded flange by means of which it is attached to the rear of the warhead.  The rear of the motor body is threaded internally to accommodate the single nozzle.  Each of the four stabilizing fins is constructed of two pieces of sheet metal, which are welded together, slotted, and welded to the metal cone covering the nozzle.

  

  

Characteristics

Caliber: 132mm (5.2 in)

Total weight of rocket: 23.1kg (50.8 lbs)

Weight of warhead: 9.12kg (20.06 lbs)

Weight of propellant: 3.78kg (8.32 lbs)

Type of warhead filler: TNT

Weight of warhead filler: 1.9kg (4.18 lb)

Maximum velocity: 350 m/s (1,148 fps)

Maximum range: 7.1km (7,763 yards)

  

  

Packaging

  

 (No Illustration Available) 

  

The Model RS-132 rocket is crated (without fuze) at the munitions plant.  Fuzes are packed seperately in small wooden boxes.  The fuze well in the warhead is filled with a wooden insert and sealed with a threaded plug for shipment.  The threaded plug and wooden insert must be removed and replaced by the appropriate fuze, in order to arm the rocket.  The combustion chamber is armed with PP-4 pyro cartridges at the factory.  Rockets are covered with grease as a protection from corrosion and rust.

  

Crates are marked with a tag identifying the lot number of the shipment, the year of manufacture, the manufacturing plant, and the number of rockets contained within the crate.

  

  

  

  

132mm Rocket, Frag-HE, Model ROFS-132

  

  

This fragmentation high-explosive rocket may be launched from the RO-132 aircraft launcher or from the M-13, a standard 16-rocket truck-mounted ground launcher.  The ROFS-132 rocket is used for blast and fragmentation effect.  The fragmentation effect is believed comparable to that of a 152mm artillery projectile.

  

The nomenclature of the rocket is somewhat confusing.  It is believed that the model manufactured prior to World War II was called the ROFS-132.  An improved model of the same rocket has been given the nomenclature TS-13.  The TS-13 is thought to be almost the same as the ROFS-132, but designed exclusively for ground launchers, whereas the ROFS-132 is launched from either aircraft or ground launchers. 

  

Another postwar improved model of the basic rocket, tentatively identified as the TS-53, is identical in construction with the TS-13, except that it has 12 subsidiary nozzles.  These auxiliary nozzles, each 3mm (0.12 in) in diameter, are arranged around the circumference of the motor body at equal intervals and are set transversely to the longitudinal axis of the rocket.  About 7 percent of the propellent gas passes through them, rotating the rocket at a rate of about 20 to 30 revolutions per second.

  

The ROFS-132, which measures 56.6 inches in length without the fuze, consists of a warhead, a motor body, and a tail unit.  The warhead is an elongated, thick-walled body with a threaded well at the nose for the insertion of the GVMZ fuze.  The AM-a fuze also may be used with this rocket, but it requires an adapter sleeve.  The motor body is a seamless, machined tube, identical in construction with the motor body of the RS-132 rocket, and it contains the propellent charge.

  

Each of the four fluted stabilizing fins of the ROFS-132 is constructed of two pieces of sheet metal which are welded together, slotted, and welded to the metal cone covering the nozzle.

  

  

  

Characteristics

Caliber: 132mm (5.2 in)

Total weight of rocket: 43kg (94.6 lbs)

Weight of warhead: 22kg (48.4 lbs)

Weight of propellant: 7.2kg (15.84 lbs)

Type of warhead filler: TNT

Weight of warhead filler: 4.6kg (10.12 lb)

Maximum velocity: 360 m/s (1,180 fps)

Maximum range: 6km (6,540 yards)

  

  

Packaging

  

(No Illustration Available)  

  

The Model ROFS-132 is crated (without fuze) at the munitions plant.  Fuzes are packed seperately in small wooden boxes.  The PP-4 flash cartridges are inserted in the combustion chambers of ROFS-132 rockets, and the rockets are shipped to arsenals and troop units in that form.  Rockets are covered with grease, as a protection from corrosion and rust.

  

Crates are marked with a tag identifying the lot number of the shipment, the year of manufacture, the manufacturing plant, and the number of rockets contained within the crate.

  

  

  

  

132mm Rocket, AP, Model RBS-132

  

  

This armor-piercing rocket was designed primarily to be launched from the RO-132 aircraft launcher; however, it also may be launched from the M-13, a 16-rocket truck-mounted ground launcher.  The RBS-132 armor-piercing rocket is designed for fire against armored targets.  It is designed to penetrate armor up to 75mm (3 inches) thick.  During World War II the Soviets used this rocket successfully against German armor.

  

This rocket, 59.4 inches in length, consists of a warhead, a motor body, and a tail unit with stabilizer fins.  Studs are threaded into each end of the motor body to guide the rocket along the slotted launcher rail.  The RBS-132 rocket differs from the RBS-82 in size, weight, and method of igniting the propellant charge; in other respects the two rockets are identical.  The TNT-filled warhead has a thick-walled, bluntly rounded ogive and a flat nose to prevent ricocheting.  The forward end of the warhead is fitted with a metal or plastic ballistic cap.  The AV-96 impact fuze used with this rocket is seated in a threaded well in the base of the warhead.

  

The motor body is filled with seven powder sticks and an igniter of black powder.  The PP-4 flash cartridges located in the forward end of the motor body activate the igniter, which in turn ignites the propellant charge.  The motor body is threaded into the base plate of the warhead.  The nozzle assembly is threaded into the rear of the motor body.  Each of the four stabilizing fins is constructed of two pieces of sheet metal, which are welded together, slotted, and welded to the metal cone covering the nozzle.

  

  

  

Characteristics

Caliber: 132mm (5.2 in)

Total weight of rocket: 51kg (112.2 lbs)

Weight of warhead: 30.5kg (67.2 lbs)

Weight of propellant: 7.2kg (15.84 lbs)

Type of warhead filler: TNT

Weight of warhead filler: 1.35kg (2.97 lb)

Maximum velocity: 320 m/s (1,050 fps)

Maximum range: 7km (7,700 yards)

  

  

Packaging

  

 (No Illustration Available) 

  

This armor-piercing rocket is crated (with fuze) at the munitions plant.  The combustion chambers are armed with PP-4 flash cartridges.  Accordingly, this rocket is shipped as a complete round.  The rocket is covered with grease as a protection from corrosion and rust.

  

Crates are marked with a tag identifying the lot number of the shipment, the year of manufacture, the manufacturing plant, and the number of rockets contained within the crate.

  

  

  

  

  

300mm Rocket, HE, Model TS-16

    

   

 This high-explosive rocket is one of the early types of heavy rockets designed by the Soviets.  It can be fired from its packing crate, which is placed on the four-round portable launcher, M-30, now obsolete.  The rocket is guided on the launcher rail by the longitudinal slats of the packing crate; therefore, no guide studs are necessary.  The TS-16 rocket is used for blast effect on ground targets at close range.

This rocket, 56 inches in length, consists of a nose-fuzed warhead, a motor body similar to that of the 132mm rockets, and a tail unit with eight stabilizing fins.  The warhead, 300mm in diameter, consists of two half-cylinders welded together to form the central portion which in turn is welded to the cup-shaped from and rear ends.  A steel collar and a nose cap are welded to the assembly.  The motor body, 125mm in diameter, contains the propellent charge.  

Details regarding the internal parts are not known.  It is presumed that ignition is effected by means of two connected igniters, one at each end of the charge.  The method by which the igniters are made to function is not known.  The tail unit consists of eight hollow fluted fins, formed of pressed steel sheet metal, which are welded to the cone covering the nozzle and banded with a steel strip.

Characteristics

Caliber: 300mm (11.8 in)

Total weight of rocket: 81kg (178 lbs)

Weight of warhead: ?kg (? lbs)

Weight of propellant: 6.8kg (15 lbs)

Type of warhead filler: TNT

Weight of warhead filler: 33.6kg (73.9 lb)

Maximum velocity: ? m/s (? fps)

Maximum range: 2.5km (2,750 yards)



Packaging

(No Illustration Available)

Model TS-16 rockets are individually crated and are launched directly from the packing crate.  Packing crate specifications, therefore, coincide with the requirements of the M-30 portable launcher.  Each rocket is covered with grease as a protection against corrosion and rush.

Crates are marked with a tag identifying the lot number of the shipment, the year of manufacture, the manufacturing plant, and the number of rockets contained within the crate.

300mm Rocket, HE, Model TS-20

  

 This high-explosive rocket is one of the early types of heavy rockets designed by the Soviets.  It can be fired from its packing crate, which is placed on the four-round portable launcher, M-30, now obsolete.  The rocket is guided on the launcher rail by the longitudinal slats of the packing crate; therefore, no guide studs are necessary.  The TS-20 rocket is used for blast effect on ground targets at close range.

This rocket consists of a warhead, a motor body, and tail unit.  The rocket is easily identified by tits blunt, rounded warhead, 300mm in diameter, to which a long, tapered nose fuze is fixed.  The warhead consists of two steel cups welded together, a threaded collar, and a nose cap which is welded onto the assembly.  The motor body, 125mm in diameter, is the same as that of the 132mm rockets, and it contains the propellent charge.  

  

This rocket has one nozzle.  The tail fin assembly is the same as that of the TS-16 (eight hollow fluted fins, formed of pressed steel sheet metal, which are welded to the cone covering the nozzle and banded with a steel strip.)

Characteristics

Caliber: 300mm (11.8 in)

Total weight of rocket: 76.7kg (169 lbs)

Weight of warhead: ?kg (? lbs)

Weight of propellant: 7kg (15.56 lbs)

Type of warhead filler: TNT

Weight of warhead filler: 32.3kg (71 lb)

Maximum velocity: ? m/s (? fps)

Maximum range: 2.8km (3,080 yards)


Packaging

(No Illustration Available)

Model TS-20 rockets are individually crated and are launched directly from the packing crate.  Packing crate specifications, therefore, coincide with the requirements of the M-30 portable launcher.  Each rocket is covered with grease as a protection against corrosion and rush.

Crates are marked with a tag identifying the lot number of the shipment, the year of manufacture, the manufacturing plant, and the number of rockets contained within the crate.

300mm Rocket, HE, Model TS-31

This high-explosive rocket is believed to be the latest Soviet development in the field of heavy, long-range rockets.  The 12-rocket truck-mounted M-31 field rocket launcher is used to fire the Model TS-31.

The TS-31 high-explosive rocket consists of a warhead, motor body, and tail unit.  The warhead and tail unit are similar in appearance to those of the Model TS-20, but the motor appears to be longer and of a slightly larger diameter.  This rocket uses a delay nose fuze.  The ignition system appears to employ an electric primer located in the tail end of the motor.  For firing, two wandering leads passing from the primer through the nozzle arc connected to terminals on the launcher.  The tail unit, as in the Model TS-20, has eight banded fins around a single nozzle.

The TS-52, another Soviet high-explosive rocket, is identical to the TS-31 in construction except that, in addition to the axial nozzle, it has four equidistant metal tubular inserts around the circumference of the motor tube which house subsidiary nozzles.  These nozzles, sealed with mastic, seem to be inclined at an angle to the axis of the projectile, since they have the effect of rotating the projectile at a rate of 15 to 20 revolutions a second.  The maximum range of the TS-52 is 4000m, which is slightly less than that of the TS-31.  Like the TS-31, the TS-52 is fired from the truck-mounted M-31 launcher.

 

Characteristics

Caliber: 300mm (11.8 in)

Total weight of rocket: 91.7kg (202 lbs)

Weight of warhead: 55.4kg (120 lbs)

Weight of propellant: ?kg (? lbs)

Type of warhead filler: TNT

Weight of warhead filler: 29.1kg (64 lb)

Maximum velocity: 244 m/s (800 fps)(estimated)

Maximum range: 4.325km (4,730 yards)


Packaging

(No Illustration Available)

No packaging data are available on the 300mm Model TS-31 rocket. 

It is assumed that it is individually crated, as are other large-caliber rockets.