S-5U

In late 2019, Russia announced it would resume production of the S-5 rocket for the first time since production ceased in 1990. The improved S-5U is 1,090 mm (3.58 ft) long and weighs 6 kg (13 lb), making it longer and heavier than the previous S-5M, though it is compatible with older rocket pods. It runs on composite propellant rather than a solid fuel motor and is spin-stabilized through four curved fins wrapped around the rocket nozzle to match its diameter when stored. Effective range remains between 0.5–4 km (0.31–2.49 mi), but lethality is increased by a heavier 0.8 kg (1.8 lb) warhead. It features a universal warhead that can penetrate 150 mm (5.9 in) of armor, explode into 500 2 g (0.071 oz) splinters, and has incendiary elements; combat efficiency is claimed to be comparable to the S-8 rocket.^[1]

Afghanistan

S-5 rockets were used extensively by Sukhoi Su-25 and Mil Mi-24 aircraft in Afghanistan in the 1980s, where their effectiveness was considered poor. Pilots described the rockets fanning out after launch "like a tulip", and that the warhead was only good for "tickling the dookhi's (mujahedeen) heels". The Russian forces have shifted to higher-calibre weapons like the S-8 rocket instead. In addition the Soviet 40th Army made use of improvised launchers mounted on T-62 tanks, BTR-70 APCs and Ural-4320 trucks in a ground-to-ground role.^[6]

Chechnya

S-5 and S-8 rockets were used in the First Chechen War and the Second Chechen War. These rockets were then salvaged by Chechen fighters to be used as anti-tank rocket launcher in their “Shaitan” homemade weapons. Such weapons were unpredictable, as some were made from gear shafts of Russian trucks. Also such rockets were damaged during their capture. These rockets were taken from downed Mil-24 helicopters.^[7]

India

IAF MiG-21 firing its S-5 rockets over East Pakistan, 1971

During the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, four of the Indian Air Force's MiG-21FLs led by Wing Commander Bhupendra Kumar Bishnoi fired its S-5 rockets on the East Pakistani Governor's mansion in Dhaka, leading to the governor resigning immediately thereafter the attack. On 13th of December, an IAF MiG-21 shot down a Pakistani F-104 Starfighter from its Ub-16 rocket pods, which fired its S-5 rockets.^[8]

Israel

On Sunday, 6 January 2009, The Israel Defense Forces claimed they identified a rocket fired at Israel earlier in the day by Al-Qassan in the Gaza Strip as a Russian-made S5K.^[9]

According to the IDF, the rocket fired at Kibbutz Alumim in the Negev marked the first time Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades have used this type of weapon.

Although the weapon is intended to be launched aerially, Al-Qassam forces chose to launch their rocket from ground-based launchers. Unlike a Qassam rocket, the S5K contains more explosives, but is less precise.

On Friday, 8 December 2017, two S-5 rockets fired from the Gaza Strip landed on Sderot.

Libya

The S-5, along with S-8 and S-13 rockets, has been deployed from the backs of pick-up trucks (generally, technicals) during the 2011 Libyan civil war,^[10] serving as a makeshift MLRS. UB-16 and UB-32 pods were used in this role. The rebels have also developed a man-portable launcher for the S-5, turning the rocket into a makeshift RPG round.^[10]

Pakistan

The 57mm S-5 rockets were used by the Pakistan Air Force with their Shenyang F-6s against Indian ground targets at Shakargarh sector during the Battle of Shakargarh in 1971. In total, 188 rockets were fired from the F-6s ORO-57K launcher.^[11]

Syria

The S-5 has seen use by the Syrian Air Force against opposition forces in the Syrian civil war.^[12] It has also been used as an improvised ground-launched rocket, fired from UB-16 or UB-32 pods.

Ukraine

The 57mm rockets were used during Russian invasion of Ukraine as improvised ground-launched MLRS (multiple launch rocket system) by the Ukrainians.^[13][14] On 18 June 2023, a Russian BTR-80 APC that had two UB-32 rocket pods attached to it was sighted and damaged by loitering drones. As multiple other Russian ground vehicles had been modified in similar ways around the same time, it was speculated that the choice to attach the rockets to the APC had been out of desperation, as Russian vehicle losses had been intensifying at that time.^[15]

ORO-57K^[16]

• rockets: 8
• length × diameter: 1,447 × 220 mm
• weight, empty: 33 kg
• weight, loaded: 74 kg
• launch platform: MiG-19/F-6

UB-16-57^[16][17]

MiG-21MF with R-3S air-to-air missile and UB-16 launcher with S-5 rockets.

• rockets: 16
• length × diameter: 1,880 × 335 mm
• weight, empty: 57 kg
• weight, loaded: 138 kg
• reusable: yes
• launch platforms: MiG-21, Su-7, Mi-8, improvised mountings on armoured vehicles and technicals (various variants of UB-16-57)

UB-32^[16][17]

A pair of UB-32 pods under the wingtip of a Mil Mi-24 helicopter

UB-32 launcher under the wing of an Antonov An-72P patrol aircraft

• rockets: 32
• length × diameter: 2,080 × 481 mm
• weight, empty: 103 kg
• weight, loaded: 264 kg
• reusable: yes
• launch platforms: MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, Su-7, Su-17/20/22, Su-25, An-72P, Mi-8/17, Mi-24, improvised mountings on armoured vehicles and technicals