S-8 rocket

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A S-8 KOM HEAT/FRAG rocket.
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A S-8 KOM HEAT/FRAG 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.

Developed in the 1970s, the S-8 is an 80 mm (3.15 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 hollow-charge 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 (6 ft 9 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 miles).

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

[edit] Rocket specifications

Designation Type Length overall Launch weight Warhead weight Range Notes
S-8KO HEAT 1.57 m 11.3 kg 3.6 kg
(0.9 kg of explosive)
1.3 to 4 km 400 mm versus RHA
S-8KOM HEAT 1.57 m 11.3 kg 3.6 kg
(0.9 kg of explosive)
1.3 to 4 km 400 mm versus RHA. Velocity 610 m/s
S-8B Penetrating 1.5 m 15.2 kg 7.41 kg (0.6 kg of explosive) 1.2 to 2.2 km 800 mm versus reinforced concrete.
S-8BM Penetrating 1.54 m 15.2 kg 7.41 kg (0.6 kg of explosive) 1.2 to 2.2 km 800 mm versus reinforced concrete. Velocity 450 m/s.
S-8D FAE 1.66 m 11.6 kg 3.8 kg (2.15 kg of explosive) 1.3 to 3 km
S-8DM FAE 1.7 m 11.6 kg 3.8 kg (2.15 kg of explosive) 1.3 to 3 km Velocity 590 m/s.
S-8DF FAE 1.68 m 13.4 kg 5.5 kg (3.3 kg of explosive) 1.3 to 4 km Velocity 500 m/s.
S-8 O Illuminating 1.63 m 12.1 kg 4.3 kg 4 to 4.5 km 2 megacandela flare warhead.
S-8 OM Illuminating 1.63 m 12.1 kg 4.3 kg 4 to 4.5 km 2 megacandela flare warhead burns for 30 seconds. Velocity 545 m/s.
S-8T Tandem-HEAT 1.7 m 13 kg 6.6 kg (1.6 kg of explosive) 1.3 to 4 km Tandem HEAT 400 mm versus RHA. Velocity 470 m/s
S-8P Chaff 1.63 m 12.3 kg 4.5 kg of chaff 2 to 3 km
S-8PM Chaff 1.63 m 12.3 kg 4.5 kg of chaff 2 to 3 km 545 m/s velocity.
S-8S Flechette  ?  ?  ?  ? 2,000 flechettes in 5 bundles
S-8TsM Target marking 1.605 m 11.1 kg 3.6 kg 1.3 to 2 km (heli)
1.3 to 3 km (plane)
target / route marking smoke visible 6 km away.

[edit] See also

S-5 rocket

[edit] References

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