The RBU-6000 Smerch-2 (Реактивно-Бомбовая Установка, Reaktivno-Bombovaja Ustanovka; reaction engine-bomb installation & Смерч; waterspout) is a 213 mm caliber Soviet anti-submarine rocket launcher. It is similar in principle to the Royal Navy Hedgehog system used during the Second World War. 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 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.[1] This allows it to home in on targets at depths of up to 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). The warhead is a 19.5-kilogram (43 lb) 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 mounted on Project 1154 and 11356 frigates. Serial production of the upgraded 90R1 rocket was launched in 2017.
RBU-6000 were the most widespread anti-submarine rocket launchers in the Soviet Navy, used on many ship classes.
Specifications
Launcher specifications
| Value | RBU-6000[2] | RPK-8[1] |
|---|---|---|
| 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.[1]
| Value | RGB-60[2] | 90R[1] |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (kg) | 113.5 | 112.5 |
| Warhead | 23 kg, explosive | 19.5 kg, shaped |
| Range (m) |
|
600 m to 4,300 m |
| Target depth (m) | 10 to 500 m |
|
| 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.[2] The guided depth charge released by 90R has its own name, 90SG.[1]
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.[3][4]
Ships
Ship classes fitted with RBU-6000 (list not complete)
Soviet Navy
Russian Navy
- Moskva-class helicopter carrier (Project 1123)
- Kiev-class aircraft carrier (Project 1143/1143M)
- Kynda-class cruiser (Project 58)
- Kresta I-class cruiser (Project 1134)
- Kresta II-class cruiser (Project 1134A)
- Kara-class cruiser (Project 1134B)
- Kirov-class battlecruiser (Project 1144/11442)
- Slava-class cruiser (Project 1164)
- Kotlin-SAM-class destroyer (Project 56K/56A/56AE)
- Kanin-class destroyer (Project 57A)
- Kashin-class destroyer (Project 61/61M/61MP)
- Udaloy-class destroyer (Project 1155)
- Burevestnik/Burevestnik M-class frigate (Project 1135/1135M)
- Neustrashimy-class frigate (Project 1154)
- Koni-class frigate (Project 1159)
- Gepard-class frigate (Project 11661)
- Petya II/III-class frigate (Project 159A/159AE)
- Mirka-class frigate (Project 35/35M)
- Grisha I/III/IV/V-class corvette (Project 1124.1/1124M/1124K/1124ME)
- Parchim II-class corvette (Project 133.1M)
- Poti-class corvette (Project 204)
Soviet border Guard
Russian Border Guard
- Nerei-class frigate (Project 11351)
- Grisha II/V-class corvette (Project 1124P/1124ME)
Ukrainian Navy
- Nerei-class frigate (Project 11351)
- Petya II-class frigate (Project 159A)
- Grisha II/V-class corvette (Project 1124P/1124ME)
Polish Navy
- Kotlin-SAM-class destroyer (Project 56AE)
- Kashin-class destroyer (Project 61MP)
- ORP Kaszub corvette (Project 620)
Romanian Naval Forces
Bulgarian Navy
- Koni-class frigate (Project 1159)
- Poti-class corvette (Project 204)
Lithuanian Naval Force
- Grisha III-class corvette (Project 1124M)
Azerbaijani Navy
- Petya II-class frigate (Project 159A)
Yugoslav Navy
Navy of Serbia and Montenegro
Montenegrin Navy
- Koni-class frigate (Project 1159)
- Kotor-class frigate (Project 1159)
Volksmarine
- Koni-class frigate (Project 1159)
- Parchim I-class corvette (Project 133)
Indian Navy
- Rajput-class destroyer (Project 61ME)
- Delhi-class destroyer (Project 15)
- Kolkata-class destroyer (Project 15A)
- Visakhapatnam-class destroyer (Project 15B)
- Talwar-class frigate (Project 11356)
- Shivalik-class frigate (Project 17)
- Kamorta-class corvette (Project 28)
Vietnam People's Navy
- Petya II/III-class frigate (Project 159A/159AE)
Indonesian Navy
- Parchim I-class corvette (Project 133)
Libyan Navy
- Koni-class frigate (Project 1159TP)
Syrian Arab Navy
- Petya III-class frigate (Project 159AE)
Algerian National Navy
- Koni-class frigate (Project 1159T)
Ethiopian Navy
- Petya II-class frigate (Project 159A)
Cuban Revolutionary Navy
- Koni-class frigate (Project 1159T)
References
- ^ a b c d e "Anti-submarine rocket launcher system RPK-8 |". Catalog Rosoboronexport roe.ru.
- ^ a b c d "RBU-6000 Smerch-2". Weaponsystems.net.
- ^ Kulkarni, Sushant (2023-04-06). "Anti-submarine rockets developed by 2 Pune labs successfully tested from INS Chennai". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
- ^ "Anti Submarine Rocket for RBU 6000 Launcher". Defence Research & Development Organisation. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
This June 2009 article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (June 2009) |
- The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Systems 1997-1998
External links
