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Ukrainian MLRS rocket launcher system based on SA-13 Gopher using S-8 rockets pods 12404162

Military Industry Technology - SA-13 Gopher with S-8 rockets pods

Ukrainian MLRS rocket launcher system based on SA-13 Gopher using S-8 rockets pods.

Ukraine armed forces use tracked chassis of Strela10 (NATO code SA-13 Gopher) air defense missile system to develop a low cost version of MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) using 80mm rocket pods S-8. This type of rocket is mainly used on Mi-24 Hind combat helicopter.

Ukraine armed forces use tracked chassis of Strela10 (NATO code SA-13 Gopher) to develop a low cost version of MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) using 80mm rocket pods S-8. This type of rocket is mainly used on Mi-24 Hind combat helicopter.

The original four surface-to-air missiles launcher unit of the SA-13 is removed and replaced by two B-8V-20 pods.

The new Ukrainian MLRS with S-8 rocket pods is mounted on an MT-LB multipurpose tracked armoured vehicle offering high mobility in all-terrain conditions.

A video released on Internet showed that the original four surface-to-air missiles launcher unit of the SA-13 is removed and replaced by two B-8V-20 pods each containing twenty 80 mm unguided S-8 rockets. According military sources from Internet, Ukrainian armed forces will have a large quantity of S-8 rockets.

The vehicle is able to fire a total of 40 rocket in less than few seconds at a maximum range of 2 km.

The S-8 is an unguided rocket developed by the Soviet Air Force for use by military aircraft. It remains in service with the Russian Air Force and various export customers.

This rocket entered service in 1984 and is produced in a variety of subtypes with different warheads, including HEAT anti-armor, high-explosive fragmentation, smoke, and incendiary, as well as the specialized S-8BM runway-destroying munitions and the S-8DM fuel-air explosive variants.

TheS-8 rocket is provided with a solid propellant motor with a summary thrust pulse of 5,800 N.s and operating time of 0.7 s.

The main disadvantages of this new low cost MLRS is the use of unguided rockets which has a limited range of fire and a low accuracy.