Country of origin |
Soviet Union |
Entered service |
1952 |
Crew |
7 men |
Dimensions and weight |
Weight |
7 t |
Weight (loaded, with crew) |
8.2 t |
Length |
6.93 m |
Length (with winch) |
7.26 m |
Width |
2.3
m |
Height |
2.65 m |
Armament |
Caliber |
140 mm |
Number of tubes |
16 |
Rocket weight |
39.6 kg |
Warhead weight |
18.4 kg |
Firing range |
2 - 10 km |
Full salvo duration |
7 - 10 s |
Reloading time |
2 minutes |
Mobility |
Engine |
ZIS-121 petrol |
Engine power |
92 hp |
Maximum road speed |
up to 60 km/h |
Range |
520 - 665 km |
Maneuverability |
Gradient |
60% |
Side slope |
~ 30% |
Vertical step |
~ 0.5 m |
Trench |
~ 0.5 m |
Fording |
0.75 m |
|
The BM-14 is
a family of Soviet 140 mm artillery rocket systems. Development of
this system began in 1947. It was accepted to service with the
Soviet Army in 1952, alongside the
BMD-20
200 mm rocket system.
The BM-14 launcher vehicle was exported to the following
states: Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, China, Cuba, Egypt, Kampuchea
(now Cambodia including a tracked version), North Korea, Poland,
Somalia, Syria, Vietnam, Yemen and Zimbabwe, and possibly some other countries.
It was license-produced in China and Poland. It is no longer used by
the Russian Army, former Soviet republics. However it is likely that
some systems are still in service with export operators.
The launcher module is mounted on a modified ZIL-151 6x6 truck
chassis. This version is sometimes referred as BM-14-16. The
launcher has a 16-round pack: four groups of 4 tubes each, two
groups in each row. It fires 140 mm spin-stabilized artillery
rockets. Two types of rockets are available. There is a M-14OF
rocket with high explosive fragmentation warhead, M-14D rocket with
smoke warhead and M-14S rocket with chemical warhead. The last two
mentioned were developed in 1955. It is worth noting that design of
these Soviet rockets was based on a German 158,5 mm rocket, used
during the WWII.
A standard M-14OF rocket is 1.08 m long and weights 39.6 kg.
Warhead weights 18.4 kg. It has a maximum range of 10 km.
This artillery system has a brief reaction time. It can stop
and launch rockets within 1 or 2 minutes from travelling. Rockets
are reloaded manually by the crew within 2 minutes. Reload rockets
were carried by escorting truck.
The launcher
vehicle is powered by a ZIS-121 petrol engine, developing 92 hp. It
is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Vehicle has a 6x6
configuration and adequate cross-country mobility.
A number of variants of the BM-14 were developed. Also there
was a naval version of this system. Production of these artillery
systems ceased in the Soviet Union ceased in the late 1960s. It was
replaced by a more capable
BM-21
Grad and its variants.
Variants
BM-14M
improved version, mounted on a ZIL-157 chassis. In 1958
production of the ZIL-151 truck ceased in favor to the newer
ZIL-157. So launcher module was simply relocated onto a new chassis.
BM-14MM improved version, mounted on a
ZIL-131
chassis. It appeared in the mid 1960s. This vehicle has better
cross-country mobility due to a 150 hp engine and central tyre
inflation system. Artillery module is exactly
the same as used on the BM-14. This version was exported to
Burkina Faso.
BM-14-17 a 17 tube launcher, based on the GAZ-63A 4x4 truck.
This artillery rocket system was used by the Soviet naval infantry
units.
BM-14-17M improved version of the BM-14-17, based on a newer
GAZ-66
4x4 truck.
RPU-14 towed 16-tube launcher.
WP-8 a Polish 8-tube towed launcher. A small number of these
launchers were produced for airborne troops.
Type 63 Chinese copy.
 |
Article by SERGEI V. GUROV
Want to
publish your own articles? Visit our
guidelines for more information. |
|