RBU-6000
{{Short description|Soviet anti-submarine rocket launcher}}
File:Admiral Vinogradov - RBU-6000.jpg
File:INS Kadmatt - RBU-6000.jpg with two RBU-6000 launchers]]
The RBU-6000 Smerch-2 (Реактивно-Бомбовая Установка, Reaktivno-Bombovaja Ustanovka; rocket-bomb installation & Смерч; waterspout) is a 213 mm caliber Soviet anti-submarine rocket launcher. The system entered service in 1960–1961 and is fitted to a wide range of Russian surface vessels. It consists of a horseshoe-shaped arrangement of twelve launch barrels, that are remotely directed by the Burya fire control system (that can also control the shorter-ranged RBU-1000). It fires RGB-60 rockets, which carry unguided depth charges. The rockets are normally fired in salvos of 1, 2, 4, 8 or 12 rounds. Reloading is automatic, with individual rounds being fed into the launcher by the 60UP loading system from a below-deck magazine. Typical magazine capacity is either 72 or 96 rounds per launcher. It can also be used for shore bombardment.
The {{vanchor |RPK-8}} system is an upgrade of the RBU-6000 system, firing the 90R rocket, which releases a 90SG depth charge that is actively guided in the water. This allows it to home in on targets at depths of up to {{convert|1,000|m|ft}}. The warhead is a {{convert|19.5|kg|lb|adj=on}} shaped charge, which enables it to punch through the hulls of submarines. It can also be used against divers and torpedoes. System response time is reported to be 15 seconds and a single-salvo has a kill probability of 0.8. RPK-8 entered service in 1991 and was mounted on Project 1154 and 11356 frigates. Serial production of the upgraded 90R1 rocket, featuring a non-contact proximity fuze, was launched in 2017.{{cite web |title=Indian Navy Kolkata Class Destroyers |url=https://medium.com/indo-pacific-geomill/indian-navy-kolkata-class-destroyers-d39fad8662e0 |website=Medium |access-date=21 December 2024 |language=en |date=17 February 2019}}
RBU-6000 were the most widespread anti-submarine rocket launchers in the Soviet Navy, used on many ship classes.
Specifications
File:Navy Day in Baltiysk, (2015-07-26) 17.JPG firing a RBU-6000 rocket depth charge]]
File:INS Chennai launching RBU-6000 Anti-Submarine Rocket (ASW) manufactured by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).jpg frigate {{INS|Chennai}} firing an RBU rocket.]]
=Launcher specifications=
| class=wikitable
! Value !! RBU-6000 !! RPK-8{{cite web |title=Anti-submarine rocket launcher system RPK-8 {{!}} |url=http://roe.ru/eng/catalog/naval-systems/shipborne-weapons/rpk-8/ |website=Catalog Rosoboronexport roe.ru}} |
| Empty weight (kg)
| 3100 || 3500 + 4700 (autoloader) |
|---|
| Length (m)
| 2 || |
| Height (m)
| 2.25 || |
| Width (m)
| 1.75 || |
| Elevation
| -15° to +65° || |
| Traverse
| 180° || |
= Rocket specifications =
All rockets are 212 mm in diameter.
| class=wikitable | ||
| Value | RGB-60 | 90R |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (kg)
| 113.5 || 112.5 | ||
| Warhead
| 23 kg, explosive | 19.5 kg, shaped | ||
| Range (m)
| {{plainlist|1=
}} | 600 m to 4,300 m | ||
| Target depth (m)
| 10 to 500 m | {{plainlist|
}} | ||
| Sink rate
| 11.6 m/s || Unknown | ||
| Seek radius
| N/A (not homing) || 130 m |
Both versions of depth charges have contact and programmed fuse modes. The guided depth charge released by 90R has its own name, 90SG.
India's DRDO developed Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR) to enhance the range of existing RGB-60 rocket. ERASR has twin motor propulsion system which can fire the rocket in short range and long range mode to achieve a distance of 500 m to 8900 m. The rocket was successfully test fired from INS Chennai on 3 April 2023.{{Cite web |last=Kulkarni |first=Sushant |date=2023-04-06 |title=Anti-submarine rockets developed by 2 Pune labs successfully tested from INS Chennai |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/anti-submarine-rockets-pune-labs-successfully-tested-8542838/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Anti Submarine Rocket for RBU 6000 Launcher |url=https://www.drdo.gov.in/technology-cluster-links/labs-products-detail/2644/174 |access-date=4 January 2024 |website=Defence Research & Development Organisation}}
Ships
File:MARASESTI FRIGATE AT THE NAVAL FORCES DAY.jpg]]
Ship classes fitted with RBU-6000 (list not complete)
- {{navy|Soviet Union}}
{{navy|Russia}} - {{sclass|Moskva|helicopter carrier|1}} (Project 1123)
- {{sclass|Kiev|aircraft carrier|1}} (Project 1143/1143M)
- {{sclass2|Kynda|cruiser|1}} (Project 58)
- {{sclass2|Kresta I|cruiser|1}} (Project 1134)
- {{sclass2|Kresta II|cruiser|1}} (Project 1134A)
- {{sclass2|Kara|cruiser|1}} (Project 1134B)
- {{sclass|Kirov|battlecruiser|1}} (Project 1144/11442)
- {{sclass|Slava|cruiser|1}} (Project 1164)
- Kotlin-SAM-class destroyer (Project 56K/56A/56AE)
- {{sclass2|Kanin|destroyer|1}} (Project 57A)
- {{sclass2|Kashin|destroyer|1}} (Project 61/61M/61MP)
- {{sclass|Udaloy|destroyer|1}} (Project 1155)
- Burevestnik/Burevestnik M-class frigate (Project 1135/1135M)
- {{sclass|Neustrashimy|frigate|1}} (Project 1154)
- {{sclass2|Koni|frigate|1}} (Project 1159)
- Petya II/III-class frigate (Project 159A/159AE)
- {{sclass2|Mirka|frigate|1}} (Project 35/35M)
- {{sclass2|Admiral Grigorovich|frigate|1}} (Project 11356R)
- Grisha I/III/IV/V-class corvette (Project 1124.1/1124M/1124K/1124ME)
- Parchim II-class corvette (Project 133.1M)
- {{sclass2|Poti|corvette|1}} (Project 204)
- {{flagicon image|USSR, Flag KGB 1950.svg}} Soviet border Guard
{{flagicon image|Russian Border Guard.svg}} Russian Border Guard - Nerei-class frigate (Project 11351)
- {{navy|Poland}}
- {{ORP|Kaszub}} corvette (Project 620)
- {{navy|Romania}}
- {{ship|Romanian frigate|Mărăşeşti}}
- {{sclass|Rear-Admiral Eustațiu Sebastian|corvette|1}}
- {{navy|Bulgaria}}
- Koni-class frigate (Project 1159)
- {{navy|Azerbaijan}}
- Petya II-class frigate (Project 159A)
- {{navy|India}}
- {{sclass|Rajput|destroyer|1}} (Project 61ME)
- {{sclass|Delhi|destroyer|1}} (Project 15)
- {{sclass|Kolkata|destroyer|1}} (Project 15A)
- {{sclass|Visakhapatnam|destroyer|1}} (Project 15B)
- {{sclass|Talwar|frigate|1}} (Project 11356)
- {{sclass|Shivalik|frigate|1}} (Project 17)
- Nilgiri-class frigate (Project 17A)
- {{sclass|Kamorta|corvette|1}} (Project 28)
- {{Flagicon image|Ensign of Vietnam People's Navy.svg}} Vietnam People's Navy
- Petya II/III-class frigate (Project 159A/159AE)
- {{navy|Indonesia}}
- Parchim I-class corvette (Project 133)
- {{navy|Libya}}
- Koni-class frigate (Project 1159TP)
- {{navy|Algeria}}
- Koni-class frigate (Project 1159T)
Armoured vehicles
- {{army|Russia}}
- MT-LBs and T-80 chassis have been seen with the launcher complex fitted during the Russo-Ukrainian War.{{cite web |last1= |first1= |author1-link= |title=Russia Modifies T-80 Tanks Into Rocket Launchers; Fresh Proof Of Moscow's Military Might |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vy4_P-iclA |website=youtube.com |publisher=Hindustan Times |language=en |format=video |date=Jan 26, 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{No footnotes|June 2009 article|date=June 2009}}
- The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Systems 1997-1998
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [http://www.zavod9.com/en/?pid=21 RBU-6000 on the manufacturer's official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403181627/http://www.zavod9.com/en/?pid=21 |date=2015-04-03 }}
- [http://tass.com/defense/953361 Russia launches serial production of upgraded rockets for anti-submarine warfare system]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rbu-6000}}
Category:Naval weapons of the Cold War
Category:Anti-submarine missiles of the Soviet Union
Category:Cold War weapons of the Soviet Union