Introduction

The S-8 is a family of unguided rockets of Soviet origin. The S-8 was developed in the 1970's as a response to the poor performance of the S-5 during Soviet use in Afghanistan. The S-8 is much more powerful and accurate while still small enough to allow the launch aircraft to carry a sizeable quantity. The S-8 is common on all late Cold War and modern aircraft in the ground attack role of Soviet/Russian origin.

Design

The S-8 can be considered an enlarged version of the S-5. The warhead and fuze are located at the front and the short burning rocket motor makes up most of the body. Each rocket has six folding fins that are retracted upon launch an provide stability in flight. The length and weight differ depending on warhead. S-8 rockets are unguided free flight rockets and do not feature any guidance. Targeting is achieved by pointing the launch aircraft in the direction of the target.

Firepower

The S-8 is much more effecive than the earlier S-5 rockets due to much higher accuracy and more powerful warheads. A wide variety of warheads is available which includes HEAT-Frag, anti-runway, thermobaric, illumination and others. Depending on the warhead the maximum range is 2 to 4.5 km. A 20 round rocket pod can be ripple fired in only a few seconds. A laser guidance kit for S-8 rockets has been developed, but is not in use yet.

Platform

The S-8 rockets are used on attack helicopters and ground attack fighters. On helicopters it is most commonly used on the Mi-24 Hind attack helicopter, but can also be found on armed versions of the Mi-8 Hip and the latest Mi-28 and Ka-50 attack helicopters. The Su-25 Frogfoot is the main fixed wing aircraft on which the S-8 is used, but it is also used on the Su-17 Fitter, MiG-29 Fulcrum, MiG-27 Flogger, Su-27 Flanker and Su-24 Fencer.

Users

The S-8 was in widespread use with Soviet forces at the later stages of the Cold War and replaced most S-5 missiles in use. The S-8 remains in widespread use and has been exported to various Warsaw Pact members and Soviet allies. The S-8 remains in widespread use today.

The S-8 rockets come in a large number of versions that differ in warhead type and effective range. Furthermore, a wide variety of specialist rounds based on the S-8 have been developed. It is unknown if all versions listed are in service.