[Eurocanard]

S-5 Unguided Rocket


-UB-16-57 Launcher-

Origin (Real-World):
Russian Federation

Games Featured In:
Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon

Compatible Aircraft:
MiG-21bis Fishbed, MiG-29A Fulcrum, Mi-24 Hind, Su-33 Flanker-D


Overview:
Developed in early 1950s, originally as part of the air to air AS-5 weapon system for the MiG-19. The rockets were tested in a series of configurations on MiG-15bis and MiG-17 jets, with the final tests complete on a MiG-17PF in January 1955. The tests revealed that the rockets did not perform as expected against aerial targets. The rocket ARS-57 was accepted into service in April 1955, with a military designation S-5. In the 1970s the UB-32 with 32 rockets was developed, to be carried by heavier aircraft. In Poland, the Mars-2 launcher was developed, carrying 16 rockets.

The S-5 is actually 55 mm (2.2 in) calibre unguided rocket fired from a 57 mm calibre tube. It is used by fighter bombers and helicopters. It consists of a steel body containing a solid fuel rocket, and a high explosive warhead with a mechanical impact fuze. At the rear of the rocket is an elongated exhaust nozzle, attached to which are eight forward folding fins. The fins fold around the rocket when it is stowed in its launch tube, springing back as soon as it leaves the launch tube. In flight the fins provide stabilizing spin to the rocket, spinning it at approximately 750 rpm. The solid rocket motor burns for just 1.1 seconds, during which time it covers about 300 meters.

The S-5 is carried in rocket pods, with 4 - 32 rockets. The first were ORO-57 launchers, made in variants with capacity of 4, 8 and 16 rockets. Most typical became ORO-57K for 8 rockets, used especially with MiG-19. Then, from early 1960s, typical launcher became UB-16-57, with 16 rockets, developed in several variants, for helicopters and planes. UB stands for "universal block", for it could be carried on typical bomb hardpoints, "57" is referring to the actual diameter of the launch tube (the diameter of the rocket plus 2 mm). This first variant and the UB-16-57U had a conical forward part, while the next variant (UB-16-57D) had a blunt forward part. From 1968 on, the UB-16-57UMP variant was produced, with a conical forward part and five protruding tubes.

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.

Sources:
Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation
Ace Combat Assault Horizon screenshots
Wikipedia - "S-5 Rocket"

[EstovakianHarrierPlus]

Fixed Mig to MiG.

[Eurocanard]

Edited to add ACAH Hind.

[WizardOne]

These are awesome on AC5's "Sea of Chaos" mission, man, those ships are like sitting ducks ...

P.S.:I think you forgot the JAS-39C Gripen on the list.

[Eurocanard]

WizardOne, on 27 August 2011 - 02:29 PM, said:

These are awesome on AC5's "Sea of Chaos" mission, man, those ships are like sitting ducks ...

P.S.:I think you forgot the JAS-39C Gripen on the list.

Nope, this only gets used on Russian aircraft; the Gripen uses the Bofors ARAK 70. Though I realize now that I missed the Su-33 from AC6, and I'm not sure if it appears in JA.

Personally, I like LASMs on Sea of Chaos. I prefer the RCL against tank columns, personally, though it's a bit of a moot point if you have BDSP or SOD, since they're much better.