RFAS 122 mm BM-21 Grad series rockets

trailer-mounted launchers, 40-round naval and coastal defence launchers, including 40 APRN) and Turkey ( T-122 ). To these can be added the RFAS `Damba' coastal defence rocket system, although these usually carry special underwater target rockets. The 122 mm BM-21 series of rockets can also be launched from 122 mm 9A51 Prima 50-round launchers. Naval 122 mm launchers with 20 tubes have been produced; NORINCO produces a naval 40-tube 122 mm MRS while Iran produces a naval 8-tube launcher. Development Initial development work on the Soviet 122 mm artillery rockets commenced during the late 1940s to supplement and eventually replace the Great Patriotic War era 82 mm and 132 mm `Katyusha' MRS from the mid-1950s onwards. Splav of Tula was the main design bureau under the leadership of A Ganichev, with the final development being completed during 1963. The number of 122 mm MRS types developed gradually until, by 1964, the standard version had become the 122 mm BM-21 Grad (Hail) series with its 40-tube launcher array. This is carried on ZIL-131 , Ural-375D or Ural-4320 6 × 6 trucks, although there have been many other types of vehicle and launcher combinations. These include the 122 mm BM-21V (Grad-V) 12-launcher system mounted on GAZ-66 4 × 4 trucks and the 122 mm 9P132/BM-21-P man-portable single-tube launchers for use by special forces. (The latter launch the special shorter 122 mm 9M28/DKZ-B rockets that can also be launched from standard multiple-tube launchers.) The main producer of the 122 mm BM-21 Grad rocket series is the State Research and Production Association `Splav' at Tula. In June 1996, it was announced that CELERG of France and Splav of Russia had completed joint designs for enhanced range BM-21 Grad rockets. It was anticipated that the new designs will have a maximum range of 36,000 m, using composite propellants, and will feature increased accuracy. Little has been heard of this programme of late, although in 2000 Splav announced a range of 122 mm enhanced performance rockets (see later in entry). The BM-21 Grad MRS is in service in one form or another in some 50 countries, with licence production or copying widespread. Description The base model of the BM-21 Grad (Hail) 9K51 series of 122 mm rockets is the 9M22, a FRAG-HE fin-stabilised rocket with a steel tube body, a high-explosive fragmentation warhead in the pointed nose section and an electrically ignited rocket motor in the tail. Stabilisation during flight is provided by four spring-out stabiliser vanes at the tail, mounted at an angle of 1º to the longitudinal. When fully open the fins have a span of 226 mm. On the base model 122 mm 9M22 the warhead is the M-21-OF containing 6.4 kg of TAG-F high explosive detonated by a 9A210 or MPB point detonating fuze, which is inertially armed only after travelling some 150 to 400 m from the launch point. Other types of warhead can be installed in place of the FRAG-HE including Chemical (VX or GB nerve agent - see under Equivalent projectiles, HE-Incendiary and Smoke. The rocket motor consists of 20.5 kg of RSI-12M double-base solid propellant, although single-base propellants have been used in the past. Total weight of the 9M22 at launch is 66 kg. Lengths vary. The basic 9M22 and essentially similar 9M22M are 2.87 m long. The 122 mm 9M22U/DB-1B is 3.226 m long and is heavier at 77.5 kg. All have a maximum range of around 20,750 m. With the basic 122 mm 9M22, two diameters of spoiler ring can be fitted over the nose to reduce range. The larger ring is fitted for ranges from 1,400 to 12,000 m and the smaller ring for 12,000 to 15,900 m. 122 mm rockets fired without the nose rings can reach 15,900 to 20,750 m. Maximum burnout velocity is 699 m/s without a nose ring. At maximum range the probable range error is 168 m in range and 80 m in azimuth. When detonated the M-21-OF warhead creates approximately 3,150 fragments which are scattered over a lethal radius of about 28 m. The 122 mm 9M28 rocket, also known as the M-14-OF or DKZ-B, can be used with 9P132 single-round launchers, is a derivative of the 122 mm 9M22 but is shorter at 1.905 m and weighs 45.8 kg. Maximum range is 10,800 m and maximum burnout velocity approximately 450 m/s. A variant of this rocket with an extra motor has a maximum range of 17,000 m. The 122 mm BM-21 rocket types produced in Russia include 9M28K cargo projectiles carrying three PGMDM anti-tank mines (weight complete 57.7 kg) or five POM-2S anti-personnel mines (3M16 - weight complete 56.4 kg). Both have a maximum range of 13,400 m. Each is 3.019 m long. Enhanced range versions with ranges up to 32,000 m are under development. Also available is a 9M43 Smoke rocket containing five smoke canisters, each weighing 800 g. Ten rockets can create a smoke screen 1,000 m long and 800 m deep. Each rocket weighs 66 kg and is 2.949 m long. Maximum range is 20,200 m. As a check list of current BM-21 rockets, the following summary outlines the main types: 9M22 HE-FRAG . Range 4,000 to 20,000 m 9M22U HE-FRAG . Range 4,000 to 20,100 m 9M28F HE-FRAG . Range 2,000 to 15,000 m 9M53F HE-FRAG . Range 5,000 to 20,000 m 9M43 Smoke . Range 5,000 to 20,000 m 9M42 Illumination . Range 1,000 to 5,000 m 9M28K Anti-tank mine . Range 4,000 to 13,400 m 3M16 Anti-personnel mine . Range 4,000 to 13,400 m 9M22M Cargo . Range 4,000 to 32,000 m Also in production by Splav and available for export sales are a series of enhanced range and performance 122 mm rockets powered by composite propellant motors. Known examples of these enhanced performance rockets include the following types. 9M519 Jammer . This designation covers a set of eight projectiles intended to jam HF and VHF radio communications operating in the 1.5 to 120 MHz bands. Each jammer warhead can, after impact, jam communications over a radius of 700 m for 60 minutes. A single warhead weighs 18.4 kg and the projectile 66 kg. Maximum range is 18,500 m. This rocket has been referred to as the 9M519-1-7 Lilya-2. 9M521 HE-FRAG . Range is 40,000 m carrying 21 kg of high explosive. Total weight of complete projectile is 66 kg. 9M522 HE-FRAG . On this rocket the warhead is separable from the motor and descends onto the target under a small parachute. This allows the warhead to fall almost vertically onto its target, providing scope for the use of proximity fuzes. The 25 kg warhead is claimed to be six times more effective than that of the standard 9M22U HE-FRAG. Total rocket weight is 70 kg and maximum range 37,500 m. 9M217 Self-targeting Submunition . This contains two unspecified self-targeting submunitions to be dispensed from the rocket warhead and descend under the control of a small parachute. As each submunition descends it seeks a target below and projects a self-forming fragment downwards into the target's top armour. The warhead weight is 25 kg and total rocket weight is 70 kg. Each submunition can penetrate 60 to 70 mm of homogeneous armour set at an angle of 30º. Maximum range is 30,000 m. The submunition involved may be the 122 mm Universal Smart Munition. 9M218 Cargo . Contains 45 dual-purpose submunitions containing a total of 25 kg of high explosive. Total rocket weight is 70 kg and maximum range is 30,000 m. One possible future submunition for 122 mm Grad series rockets is the 122 mm Universal Smart Munition. A 122 mm Grad series rocket could carry two of these anti-armour munitions which descend under a parachute and use a side-mounted target sensor to search for a target. If a target is sensed a self-forming fragment is fired from the optimum distance. The warhead can penetrate 60 to 70 mm of Rolled Homogeneous Armour (RHA). The 122 mm Universal Smart Munition is not yet in production. Although it is not confirmed, these munitions may be the ones involved with the 9M217. Fuchs Electronics of South Africa produce the BM21 and BM36 proximity fuzes optimised for 122 mm BM-21 rockets. The 122 mm rockets are normally transported packed in individual plywood chests but can be carried ready-loaded in their launch tubes for up to one year. Part of the BM-21 Grad system is a reload vehicle carrying reload rockets in 9F37 racks. The 122 mm 9M22U rocket is used for training purposes. Few details are available although it is understood that the warhead contains a flash/bang/smoke element only. Authorised fuzes PD 9A210, MRV, MRV-U, Junghans PD 111R or equivalents; Fuchs BM21 Prox; Fuchs BM36 Prox Equivalent rockets BULGARIA BULGARIA Manufacturer Vazov Engineering Plants Type: 122 mm M-21 OF Description: Intended for launching from BM-21 Grad. Complete rocket weighs 66 kg and is 2.75 m long. The steel-cased warhead weighs 19.9 kg and is 749 mm long filled with TGAF5 (RDX/TNT); the fuze is either a PD MRV-U or MRV. The electrically ignited rocket motor contains 20.65 kg of RSI-12M propellant. Maximum velocity given as 660 m/s and range a precise 20,217 m. Each warhead can cover a lethal area of 1,050 m 2 . CHINA , PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC Manufacturer China North Industries (NORINCO) Type: 122 mm Type 81 series rockets Description: Fired from the 40-tube launcher carried on Type 83 tracked MRS, the truck-mounted Type 90 or Type 81 and the truck-mounted Type 83 24-tube launcher; a single-tube launcher also exists. Rocket types, with composite propellant rocket motors, include a standard FRAG-HE with a 18.3 kg RDX-filled warhead, HE-Incendiary, HE-Canister using a steel subprojectile payload, HE-Incendiary-Canister with a steel subprojectile payload and Cargo carrying 39 Type 90 40 mm calibre dual-purpose bomblets. Weight of the Cargo rocket is 60.5 kg and length 2.927 m; maximum range is 20,000 m. There is also an extended range HE rocket with a maximum range of 30,000 m (weight 61 kg, length 2.757 m). Also available are two types of minelaying rocket, one with a range of 7,000 m and another with a range of 15,000 m, both capable of carrying mixes of anti-tank and anti-personnel mines. All these 122 mm rockets weigh ca 60 kg and can be fired from standard BM-21 Grad type launchers. Manufacturer China North Industries (NORINCO) Type: 122 mm Type 90A series rockets Description: Intended for use with the Type 90A 40-barrel MRS. There are four rockets in the series, three with a maximum range of 32,700 m and a minimum range of 12,700 m. The three are: HE; Steel High Explosive Incendiary (SHEI) containing 3,400 steel balls; and Steel High Explosive (SHE) containing 4,044 steel balls. In each case the rocket weighs 61 kg and is 2,757 m long; warhead weight is 18.3 kg. The fourth round is a Cargo round containing 39 42.2 mm bomblets or an unspecified number of 114 mm diameter mines. This Cargo rocket has a maximum range of 32,000 m, weighs 60.5 kg and is 2.927 m long. Warhead weight is 19 kg. For all four rocket types the maximum flight velocity is 1,050 m/s and time of flight to maximum range is 110 seconds. Manufacturer China North Industries (NORINCO) Type: 122 mm Shrapnel Description: Developed as an adjunct to existing BM-21 Grad type MRS, this rocket has a 19.25 kg warhead containing 6 kg of RDX surrounded by approximately 4,100 steel spheres. A complete rocket weighs 66.8 kg and is 2.87 m long. Propellant weight is 20.6 kg and maximum range is 20,000 m. Also known as Rocket Steel Ball Shell. CROATIA Marketing agency R H ALAN doo Type: M-21-OF and RAK 122 M93 Description: M-21-OF has standard specifications while RAK 122 M93 is a locally developed variant. Launched from Typhoon M96 MRS on TATRA 813 truck chassis. PD fuze is RUTU M93 (MRV-U). EGYPT Manufacturer Heliopolis Company for Chemical Industries Type: Rocket 122 mm Grad FRAG-HE Description: Similar to reverse-engineered 122 mm SAKR rockets (see separate entry). Rocket bodies are supplied by Vickers (UK), composite propellant by Bayern Chemie (Germany), rocket motor by CELERG (France). Proximity fuzes are supplied by Simpa (France). Warheads are produced by the Abu Zaabal Company for Speciality Chemicals Factory No 18 where the warheads are filled with 6.4 kg of RDX:TNT. Manufacturer SAKR Factory for Developed Industries Type: 122 mm SAKR Rockets Description: See separate entry INDIA Manufacturer Armament Research and Development Establishment Pune Type: 122 mm LRAR Description: A locally developed long-range version of the basic 122 mm 9M22 with a 18 kg warhead containing TNT. Launched from 40-tube MRS carried on Shaktiman 6 × 6 5 tonne truck. Uses a double-base solid propellant motor. IRAN Manufacturer Defence Industries Organisation Islamic Republic of Iran ( Parchin Missile Industries ) Type: 122 mm Arash Description: Essentially similar to 122 mm 9M22 but understood to be derived from Chinese NORINCO designs. Used with 40-tube launchers. Data provided states that weight complete is 65 kg, 18.38 kg of which is the warhead. Length is 2.815 m and maximum velocity is 710 m/s. Maximum range is 21,500 m. Fuze is PD SAEIR-F72. Manufacturer Defence Industries Organisation Islamic Republic of Iran ( Parchin Missile Industries ) Type: 122 mm Noor Description: A short version of the 122 mm Arash launched from both single-tube and 40-tube launchers. Weight is 45 kg, 18.35 kg of which is the warhead. Length is 2.05 m and maximum velocity 720 m/s. Maximum range is 18,000 m. Fuze is PD SAEIR-F72. Manufacturer Defence Industries Organisation Islamic Republic of Iran ( Parchin Missile Industries ) Type: 122 mm Long Range Rocket (Arash) Description: Lengthened version of 122 mm Arash with maximum range of 29,000 m. Length is 3.2 m and weight 72 kg with 18 kg warhead. Maximum velocity 1,050 m/s. Fuze is PD SAEIR-F72. Manufacturer Defence Industries Organisation Islamic Republic of Iran ( Parchin Missile Industries ) Type: 122 mm Fadjr 6 Description: A Cargo round carrying eight anti-armour or anti-personnel mines. Weight 63 kg, length 2.83 m and weight of payload 32 kg. Minelaying range is 3,500 to 6,000 m. KOREA, NORTH Manufacturer State factories Type: 122 mm FRAG-HE Description: Derived from 122 mm 9M22 and launched from locally produced BM-11 30-tube launchers. A second 122 mm rocket system is understood to exist but no details are available. PAKISTAN Manufacturer Pakistan Ordnance Factories Type: 122 mm HE Yarmuk Description: Derived from 122 mm 9M22 and used with 30-tube launcher derived from the North Korean BM-11 MRS. Weight complete with 20.4 kg of a double-base propellant is 66 kg. Warhead contains 6 kg of Composition B and weighs 19.4 kg fuzed. Length overall is 2.875 m. Maximum range is 20,580 m. Manufacturer Dr A Q Khan Research Laboratories Type: 122 mm FRAG-HE Description: Maximum range 20,380 m. POLAND Manufacturer Tlocznia Metali Pressta Spolka Akcyjna Owinska Type: 122 mm BM-21 rockets Description: Three types of rockets produced, HE (GRAD), FRAG-HE (SPALL) and Minelaying (PLATAN), all to be fired from standard BM-21 MRS. GRAD and SPALL are 2.753 m long, weigh 66.18 kg and have a maximum range of 20,130 m. A SPALL warhead burst creates 6,500 fragments and can be used with a proximity fuze to form air bursts. PLATAN carries five anti-tank mines to a range of 18,000 m. Rocket weight is 75.1 kg and length is 3.285 m. Manufacturer Presta Type: 122 mm BM-21 rockets Description: Three types of rocket produced: M21 FRAG-HE, M21-OF FRAG-HE and Minelaying, the latter carrying five anti-tank mines. Maximum range of this variant is 18,000 m. Rocket weight is 75.1 kg and length is 3.285 m. ROMANIA Marketed by SN ROMARM SA Type: 122 mm HE Description: Same as 122 mm 9M22. Launched from 40 APRA truck- and trailer-carried launchers. An M21-OF-S short version, 1.927 m long and weighing 46.6 kg, is intended for launching from a 1-L P-122 single-tube manpack or horse-portable launcher having a range of 12,700 m. The rocket motor weighs 11.1 kg. Manufacturer SN ROMARM SA Type: 122 mm M21-OF-FP and M21-OF-S Description: Equate to M-21-OF (9M22) and M-14-OF (9M28). Standard specifications. RUSSIAN FEDERATION AND ASSOCIATED STATES (CIS) Manufacturer State factories Type: 122 mm Chemical Description: At least two 122 mm Chemical warheads were produced for the BM-21 Grad MRS, one containing 2.9 kg of liquid VX and the other 3.1 kg of liquid Sarin (GB), both nerve agents. The VX warhead weighs 19.3 kg and has a Proximity fuze igniting a TNT burster charge. The GB warhead also weighs 19.3 kg and has a PD fuze igniting the TNT burster charge. A HCN filled warhead was also reported to exist. These warheads have been withdrawn from service and are scheduled for destruction. Manufacturer State Research and Production Enterprise `Splav' Tula Type: 122 mm HE Description: Intended for use with the Damba coastal defence 40-round anti-underwater platform system, which has an obvious affinity with the BM-21 MRS. Damba rockets, that are fuzed to operate at depths of 3 to 200 m, are 2.756 m long and weigh 75.3 kg, 20 kg of which is warhead explosive. Range is 300 to 5,000 m. Manufacturer State Research and Production Enterprise `Splav' Tula Type: 122 mm 9M53F Description: Intended primarily for the 50-round 9K59 Prima MRS mounted on the 9A51 truck platform, the 9M53F rocket uses an enhanced preformed fragment and blast warhead weighing 26 kg which, as it approaches a target area, separates from the rocket body under electronic fuze control to be suspended from a parachute. This ensures the warhead has a near vertical approach angle allowing a proximity fuze to function at an optimum height of several metres above the ground. On detonating its 1.8 kg explosive filling each warhead produces 2,500 preformed fragments to be spread in a circular pattern. Each 122 mm 9M53F rocket weighs 70 kg and is 3.037 m long. Range is from 5,000 to 20,500 m. SLOVAKIA Manufacturer Konstrukta Defense Type: 122 mm AGAT/JRKK-G Description: Can be supplied either as an AGAT warhead to be fitted to existing 122 mm BM-21 Grad rocket bodies by a customer, or as a complete 122 mm JRKK-G projectile weighing 68 kg. Fitted with a nose-mounted TM120 time fuze the warhead can deliver 56 38 mm dual-purpose bomblets over a range band of 6,500 up to 16,500 m. Each bomblet weighs 280 g and can penetrate 110 to 130 mm of homogeneous armour. A self-destruct fuze is fitted to each bomblet. An incendiary bomblet is also available. A version with a revised rocket motor has a range of 33,000 m. Marketed by Technopol. Manufacturer Konstrukta Defense Type: 122 mm LR Description: Although designed to be launched from four-tube LRM-122 launch pods carried by aircraft or helicopters, the 122 mm LR rocket may also be used in the ground-to-ground role, when it has a maximum range of 12,000 m. The 122 mm LR rocket weighs 46.25 kg, 12 kg of which is the steel warhead containing 6.4 kg of TGAF-5 (RDX/TNT) and 11.3 kg of Ng Tr solid propellant. Length overall is 1.94 kg. The nose fuze is a PD LZMH-1 with two optional delays; the fuze is 215 mm long and weighs 970 g. Marketed by Technopol. Manufacturer Konstrukta Defense Type: 122 mm Trnovnik Description: This is a 122 mm cargo warhead rocket, that can carry 63 dual-purpose bomblets to a maximum range of 17,500 m. Rocket length overall is 2.78 m and weight 65.8 kg. Total warhead weight is 14.85 kg with each 38 mm diameter bomblet weighing 131 g; armour penetration is 100 mm. Marketed by Technopol. Manufacturer VCHZ Synthesia, sp, Vupch and MOEX Type: 122 mm EXR-122 Description: 9M22 extended range derivative weighing 70.8 kg with a maximum range of 24,600 m. Warhead weight is 20 kg and propellant weight 24.5 kg. Developed by Prototype, s.p. Brno. Manufacturer ZVS Dubnica Type: 122 mm JROF and 122 mm JROF-K Description: FRAG-HE launched from the RM 21 or RM-70 and Mod 70/85 launchers. Essentially similar to RFAS 9M22 but the weight is 65.8 kg and length 2.881 m, with a nose-mounted MRV-u point detonating fuze. Warhead payload is 6.4 kg of TNT. The shortened 122 mm JROF-K is 1.932 m long, weighs 46.3 kg and has a maximum range of 11,000 m. SOUTH AFRICA Manufacturer Mechem , a member of the Denel Group Type: RO 122 PFHE Description: This 122 mm rocket has been developed to the `ready for production' stage for use with BM-21 series launchers. The PFHE warhead, described as a FRAG-HE, contains 9,800 steel spheres encased in a cast epoxy resin sleeve around the warhead explosive. A Fuchs BM21 radio proximity fuze is fitted. Manufacturer Mechem , a member of the Denel Group Type: 68 mm Subcalibre Training Device Description: Mechem have developed a 68 mm Subcalibre Training Device for 122 mm rocket systems using 68 mm aircraft rockets (see separate entry in this section). The device outwardly resembles a full-scale 122 mm rocket and is loaded and fired in the same manner. This system led to savings of US$2.5 million per annum for the SANDF. TURKEY Manufacturer Rocketsan Type: TR-122 122 mm Extended Range Artillery Rocket Description: Intended to be fired from locally produced 40-tube launchers, the TR-122 can also be launched from BM-21 Grad launchers. Maximum range is over 40,000 m and minimum 10,000 m. Warhead types are HE and fragmentation (steel ball), each weighing 18.4 kg. Weight complete is 65.9 kg and length 2.9 m. Developed for the Turkish armed forces, the TR-122 is in production. YUGOSLAVIA , FEDERAL REPUBLIC Manufacturer Yugoimport SDPR Type: 122 mm FRAG-HE M88 Description: 122 mm 9M22 type rocket 2.87 m long with impact-fuzed warhead having 6.4 kg of explosive surrounded by 2,780 6.35 mm steel spheres. Total weight is 66 kg of which 20.4 kg is propellant producing a maximum velocity of 690 m/s. Maximum range given as 20,400 m. Probably no longer in production.