Unguided rockets Zuni in Ukraine
Ukrainian Su-25 attack aircraft and Zuni missiles. Photo by the Ukrainian Air Force
A few months ago, the United States promised to hand over to the Kyiv regime uncontrollable aviation Zuni rockets and launch blocks for them. By now this weapon received at the disposal of the Ukrainian Air Force. For use on existing Soviet-style media, it had to be finalized. At the same time, the real potential of missiles, despite all efforts, remains very limited.
In the next package
On January 6, 20223, the US Department of Defense announced the allocation of the next package of military-technical assistance to Ukraine. This time, the cost of military products for shipment exceeded $3 billion, which was a kind of record. As part of the new package, it was supposed to transfer armored vehicles, cars, various weapons, etc.
In the January package, for the first time ever, unguided aircraft weapons appeared in the form of American-made 127-mm Zuni rockets. It was planned to ship 4 thousand such products. Apparently, the package also included the sending of compatible launchers for mounting on aircraft or helicopters, but this issue was not disclosed in open documents.
The timing of the delivery of missiles and related equipment was not reported. Deliveries of at least the first batch of products also took place behind closed doors. The appearance of American missiles in Ukraine became known only on May 1. The air force command showed a "new" weapon at one of the airfields.
Launchers decided not to show. Photo by the Ukrainian Air Force
They published a couple of photos showing the preparations for the flight of the Su-25 attack aircraft. American-made ammunition lay in front of the aircraft on a transport trolley, ready to be loaded into launchers. At the same time, the installations themselves were not shown. These products were in the frame, but were censored. Obviously, Ukrainian formations are trying to hide the type of installations and the number of missiles on them.
Reports of the combat use of the American "Zuni" have not yet been received. At the same time, it can be expected that the first attempts to use such weapons against our troops will be made in the very near future. However, a number of objective factors, at the very least, greatly complicate the use of unguided missiles or even create unacceptable risks for Ukrainian aviation.
Still in service
Zuni missiles are perhaps the oldest example of American-designed aviation weapons still in operation. Work on the promising 5-inch Folding-Fin Aircraft Rocket (FFAR) or Zuni project started in the early fifties, and in 1957 the first few samples of the modular architecture entered service. In the future, existing modules were improved, and new ones were developed.
Since the late fifties, Zuni missiles have been massively supplied to the US Air Force, and soon deliveries to foreign customers began. Such weapons were received by almost all states that purchased American combat aircraft and helicopters.
Rocket 5-in FFAR Zuni one of the serial versions. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
It is curious that it was the foreign customer who was the first to use 5-in FFAR missiles in real combat. So, in September 1965, Pakistani fighters used unguided missiles against Indian troops. Shortly thereafter, naval aviation and the US Air Force began to use their missiles. During the Vietnam War, Zuni became one of the main weapons of American combat aircraft. Such missiles were used later in all major conflicts.
Despite considerable age, the Zuni family continues to develop. In recent years, several projects have been proposed for the modernization of individual modules, as well as new components. In particular, control modules with a semi-active laser homing head have been developed, which turn an unguided missile into a high-precision munition.
Modular scheme
As part of the Zuni project, a whole family of rockets was developed with different equipment and functions, but with similar flight characteristics. To simplify production and operation, the family was built on a modular basis. There are several types of unified solid propellant engines and a set of warheads. GOS modules are also offered. By combining such modules, a rocket of the desired shape is created.
Regardless of the configuration, the Zuni rocket has a length of no more than 2,8 m and a diameter of 127 mm. In the tail section of the cylindrical body, the planes of the stabilizer that are laid out in flight are placed. The mass of the product is in the range from 45 to 61 kg. Depending on the launch altitude and carrier speed, the rocket speed reaches 700-720 m/s. The maximum launch range is 8 km.
Three engine modules have been developed. Such a product is a 127 mm tube with a fuel charge, a nozzle and a stabilizer. The first to appear was the Mk 16 module, 2 m long and weighing 25,6 kg. It generates traction approx. 3400 kgf; fuel burns approx. 1 sec. A later Mk 71 engine. With a reduced length of 1,9 m, it is heavier (30 kg) and gives a thrust of more than 3500 kgf for 1,17 seconds. On its basis, the Mk 71 Mod 1 module was created. With a length of 2,1 m and a mass of 36 kg, it gives a thrust of almost 3700 kgf for 1,8 seconds.
LAU-10/A launchers aboard an aircraft carrier. Photo by the US Department of Defense
There is a wide range of combat units for various purposes. To solve most of the combat missions, the Mk 24 or Mk 63 modules are used with high-explosive fragmentation charges weighing 22 and 25,6 kg, respectively. The Mk 32 product is a cumulative fragmentation munition with a charge of 20,7 kg. In addition, there are warheads with an illuminating or smoke charge, with a set of chaff, as well as practical ammunition.
Initially, several launchers with a different number of missiles were developed for the Zuni. The most widely used product is LAU-10/A and its modifications with four tubular guides. Such blocks can be installed on various carriers - on almost all US tactical aircraft, starting from the samples developed in the fifties.
As recent events show, it is possible to adapt the installations for use on Soviet-style equipment. Apparently, American and Ukrainian specialists have made some kind of adapters for hanging imported blocks on the Su-25 pylons, as well as for connecting them to the standard weapons control system. Such integration of unguided weapons, obviously, is not particularly difficult.
Obvious Limitations
In general, unguided rockets of the 5-in FFAR / Zuni family are typical weapons of their class and have fairly high performance. The available combat units allow you to hit manpower, unprotected or lightly armored vehicles, as well as unfortified buildings. In this case, the lack of guidance in a known way degrades accuracy and reduces efficiency.
In terms of general characteristics and capabilities, the American missile is similar to foreign models. For example, "Zuni" can be compared with Russian missiles of the S-13 series. American and Russian missiles in all modifications have similar dimensions and weight. At the same time, C-13 products carry heavier warheads, and a higher maximum range is declared for Zuni.
An F-4B fighter-bomber uses Zuni missiles in an exercise. Photo by the US Department of Defense
However, the effectiveness of the combat use of an unguided missile depends not only on its own "table" characteristics. The overall result largely depends on the carrier platform, as well as on the situation and conditions in which it has to work. Given these factors, the appearance of the Zuni will not give the Ukrainian Air Force any advantages.
With a launch range of up to 8 km, a Ukrainian aircraft with American missiles will be forced to enter the zone of destruction of the Russian military air defense. The results of this are predictable - the defeat of certain Ukrainian aircraft is regularly reported. It is quite possible that the Su-25 shown in recent photographs will face the same fate in the coming days.
There is a theoretical possibility of increasing the launch range due to pitch-up firing. However, in this case, the aircraft will remain in the zone of destruction of the air defense system. In addition, the accuracy of unguided rockets, already low, will be further reduced. At the same time, Ukrainian aircraft do not have any devices that can improve the accuracy of unguided weapons.
useless help
Thus, foreign ammunition with dubious prospects was again handed over to the Kyiv regime. Zuni products have good characteristics for their class and in theory can be used to the desired effect. However, objective factors in the form of Russian air defense practically exclude this.
In this context, the state and prospects of Ukrainian aviation should also be considered. Most of its planes and helicopters have already been destroyed. Attempts to repair existing equipment and supplies from abroad do not affect the overall situation. As a result, in the foreseeable future, Ukraine may be left without combat aircraft at all, and imported missiles without launchers.
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