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Ugroza
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Ugroza
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Ugroza (Russian: Угроза, meaning "menace") is a precision-guided weapons system developed by the Russian Federation.[citation needed] It is an upgrade for standard Russian "dumb" rockets, including the S-5, S-8, and S-13 rockets.[1][2] The system upgrades the "dumb" rockets with laser guidance, very significantly increasing their accuracy. It requires a laser target designator, from either an airborne or land based source, to "paint" a target. Circular error probable (CEP) is about 0.8 to 1.8 m,[1] while maximum ranges of rockets varies from the rockets used 1.5–8 km.[1] Ugroza allows rockets to be ripple-fired up to 7 at a time.

The notable novelty is that the system does not use aerodynamic flight control (e.g. tail fins), but impulse steering with mini-thrusters.[1] It has been dubbed as the Russian concept of impulse corrections (RCIC).[1]

The concept has been demonstrated by Ametech (Russian: Аметех - Автоматизация и механизация технологий[3]) on 1999 MAKS airshow,[1] but it is not known if the system has been manufactured since, and in what numbers. The name Ugroza (sometimes transliterated Ugrosa), have been first used for the company's semi-active laser-guided projectile (SAL-GP) for the 122 mm BM-21 Grad series of multiple rocket launchers (it did not enter production and have been shelved[2] as of 2010).

Sources are not clear whether optical (TV) guidance can be used in place of laser guidance.

The designation of rockets upgraded with Ugroza are given the suffix "Kor"[1] (from Russian корректируемые, meaning "correctable"):

  • S-5Kor
  • S-8Kor
  • S-13Kor

References

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Ugroza

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Ugroza (Russian: Угроза, meaning "threat") is a Russian-developed aviation precision-guided that upgrades standard unguided rockets into laser-guided munitions for enhanced accuracy against ground targets. It consists of corrected variants of the S-5 (57 mm), S-8 (80 mm), and S-13 (122 mm) rockets, designated S-5Kor, S-8Kor, and S-13Kor, respectively, each equipped with a semi-active homing head and a two-stage design featuring a detachable booster and guided combat section. The system employs sideways-firing mini-thrusters for steering rather than traditional aerodynamic control surfaces, allowing integration with existing such as the UB-16, B-8, and B-13 on and helicopters with minimal modifications. The S-5Kor offers a range of 2.5–7 km with a 0.5 kg and (CEP) of 0.8–1.8 m; the S-8Kor extends to 2.5–8 km with a 1.5 kg ; and the S-13Kor reaches 2.5–9 km with a 7 kg capable of penetrating up to 800–1,000 mm of armor. These capabilities aim to improve the cost-effectiveness of unguided rocket salvos by a factor of 3–4 while reducing ammunition expenditure by over 50 times compared to free-flight rockets. Developed by the Ametekh Scientific and Technical Center (STC), Ugroza was first publicly presented as a mock-up at the MAKS-1999 in , positioning it as an affordable alternative to more expensive Western systems like the U.S. (APKWS). Despite successful testing, there is no confirmed evidence of serial production or operational deployment in Russian forces as of 2025. The system's design emphasizes compatibility with legacy Soviet-era platforms, including attack helicopters like the Ka-50 and Su-25 , to target armored vehicles, bunkers, and other high-value assets in tactical scenarios.

Development

Origins and design goals

The Ugroza originated in the late as an initiative by the Russian firm Ametekh, formally known as the Scientific and Technical for and of Technologies, to modernize the Russian military's vast stockpiles of unguided aerial rockets. This development was driven by the post-Soviet era's economic constraints, which necessitated affordable upgrades to legacy weaponry rather than entirely new systems, allowing the to achieve precision strike capabilities without substantial investments in procurement or infrastructure. Ametekh, a small specialized entity focused on technologies, conceived Ugroza to address the inefficiencies of unguided munitions in , particularly following observations from international conflicts like the 1999 Balkan War that highlighted vulnerabilities in targeting amid complex terrain and mobile threats. The core design goals centered on converting standard S-5, S-8, and S-13 unguided rockets into precision-guided variants capable of engaging small, moving ground targets such as tanks and armored personnel carriers with high accuracy. By integrating semi-active homing, Ugroza aimed to leverage existing laser designators from aircraft, helicopters, or ground observers, enabling "dumb" rockets to home in on illuminated targets while preserving their original launch platforms and compatibility. This approach prioritized minimal modifications to carrier aircraft and rocket pods, ensuring seamless integration into the operational inventory of post-Soviet platforms like the Mi-24 and Su-25 without requiring extensive retraining or logistical overhauls. A key objective was to enhance the overall combat efficiency of aerial rocket salvos, with projections indicating a 3-4 fold improvement in the cost-to-effectiveness ratio and a reduction in ammunition consumption by over 50% for typical suppression missions. This cost-effective strategy reflected broader Russian military priorities in the to counter Western precision-guided advantages through pragmatic, incremental innovations rather than high-endurance developments.

Presentation and testing

The Ugroza made its public debut at the MAKS-1999 International Aviation and Space Salon in Zhukovsky, , where Ametekh showcased a mock-up of the system to an international audience of professionals and potential buyers. This presentation highlighted the system's design as a low-cost upgrade for unguided rockets, demonstrating its potential to convert S-5, S-8, and S-13 rockets into precision-guided munitions using semi-active homing without requiring modifications to existing or . Plans announced during the event outlined seamless integration into inventories, leveraging mobile workshops for field upgrades and maintaining compatibility with standard pod launchers. However, there is no evidence of subsequent testing, production, or operational deployment; the project appears to have stalled after 1999, and Ametekh became inactive by 2016 following the death of its chief designer and significant staff reductions, with no further developments reported as of 2025. A key publication on the system appeared shortly after the air show in the form of an article by V. Ilyin titled "Недорого и эффективно" ("Cheap and Effective") in Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye on September 18, 1999, which underscored Ugroza's potential to provide affordable precision strike capabilities amid post-Soviet constraints. The article detailed the system's validation through prototype demonstrations and projected operational benefits, positioning it as a practical response to the need for upgraded unguided munitions in modern .

System design

Guidance mechanism

The Ugroza system utilizes semi-active to convert unguided rockets into precision-guided munitions, enabling accurate engagement of ground targets. In this mechanism, a —operated from ground stations, aircraft, or helicopters—illuminates the target with a beam for approximately one second, and the rocket's seeker detects the reflected energy to home in on the designated spot. This approach requires line-of-sight illumination and allows multiple rockets to be directed at the same target simultaneously. The core component is a detachable, nose-mounted seeker unit that separates from the launch booster during flight, featuring a semi-active homing head for . This unit includes deployable plumage fins—four spring-activated petals for the S-5Kor and six gas piston-opened petals for the S-8Kor and S-13Kor—that provide stabilization. The system lacks traditional movable fins; instead, maneuvering relies on a pulsed gas-dynamic using impulse engines to adjust the trajectory based on seeker inputs. Operationally, the rocket launches as an projectile powered by a solid-propellant booster, with the seeker remaining inactive during the initial boost phase to avoid overload. Post-burnout and booster separation, the seeker activates—typically about one second before target impact—to lock onto the laser spot and guide the warhead via corrective pulses from the engines. This sequence achieves a (CEP) of 0.8 to 1.8 meters, significantly enhancing precision over the base unguided rockets like the S-5 series.

Missile integration

The Ugroza guidance kit modifies unguided rockets such as the S-5, S-8, and S-13 by replacing the nose with a dedicated guidance section that incorporates a semi-active seeker and control electronics. This structural change enables precision targeting while retaining the original motor, , and propulsion system, thereby ensuring full compatibility with existing stockpiles and minimizing logistical disruptions. To preserve ballistic stability following guidance , the kit includes a flight-detachable head unit equipped with stabilizing plumage in the form of deployable fins—four spring-opened petals for the 57 mm S-5Kor and six gas piston-opened petals for the 80 mm S-8Kor and 122 mm S-13Kor. Additionally, pulsed engines are integrated into the head unit to provide lateral for in-flight corrections, compensating for the lack of traditional aerodynamic control surfaces. The seeker in this section facilitates semi-active homing by detecting reflections from a ground- or air-designated spot on the target. Weight additions from the guidance kit remain minimal to avoid altering launch dynamics, with the head end weighing 5.85 kg for the S-5Kor and 6 kg for the S-8Kor, while the S-13Kor achieves a total starting weight of 70 kg through similar integration. The integration process emphasizes field practicality, involving the attachment of the guidance section via standard mechanical interfaces that require no specialized tools; upgrades can be performed in air mobile workshops or at parts storage bases with only minor adaptations to existing infrastructure, such as heat-resistant gaskets in launchers.

Variants

S-5Kor

The S-5Kor is the 57 caliber variant of the Ugroza guided , designed as a lightweight, for enhanced accuracy over unguided S-5 rockets. It features a total launch weight of 5.85 kg, with a containing 0.5 kg of explosive filler equivalent to TNT, providing effective anti-armor effects against light vehicles while capable of penetrating up to 200 of rolled homogeneous armor. This variant achieves an operational range of 2,500 to 7,000 meters, with a maximum flight speed of up to 450 m/s, enabling rapid engagement in scenarios. Its guidance employs semi-active homing, allowing for a (CEP) of 0.8 to 1.8 meters under typical conditions, which significantly improves hit probability compared to unguided predecessors. The rocket measures 1,100 mm in length, with a stabilizer span of 232 mm, and uses pulsed rocket engines for in-flight corrections without relying on aerodynamic surfaces. The S-5Kor is compatible with standard UB-16-57 launch pods, which can accommodate up to 16 rockets, facilitating high-volume salvos from helicopters or low-flying in dynamic environments. This configuration supports its primary role in , emphasizing strikes on light armored targets such as unarmored vehicles, while distinguishing it from larger variants by its focus on portability and rapid deployment.

S-8Kor

The S-8Kor is the 80 mm guided variant of the , designed to convert standard unguided S-8 rockets into precision-guided munitions through the addition of a semi-active seeker head. This upgrade allows for high-accuracy strikes on ground targets, transforming the rocket from an area-suppression weapon into a capable anti-armor asset. The maintains compatibility with existing launch infrastructure while incorporating the BM-8 guidance kit, which enables homing on -designated points illuminated by external sources such as designators or ground teams. Key specifications include a total launch weight of 15.2 kg and a of 80 mm, with the warhead options comprising high-explosive fragmentation or types, the latter featuring a 1.5 kg TNT-equivalent filler for armor defeat. The achieves a maximum speed of 480 m/s and an operational range of 2,500 to 8,000 meters, making it suitable for engagements from low-altitude or helicopters. Its (CEP) is 0.8 to 1.8 meters, providing the precision necessary for single-target hits in dynamic conditions. The S-8Kor is launched from B-8 series pods, such as the B-8V20, which can accommodate up to 20 per pod for salvo fire options. The S-8Kor excels in anti-armor roles, particularly against armored personnel carriers (APCs) and light vehicles, where its warhead delivers approximately 400 mm of armor penetration—comparable to the unguided S-8 but enhanced in practical effect by the , which ensures optimal impact on vulnerable points for single-target precision rather than reliance on volume fire. This capability supports tactical scenarios requiring rapid, accurate suppression of mobile threats without the need for more expensive dedicated missiles. Integration follows the standard method outlined for Ugroza missiles, involving seeker attachment to the rocket nose.

S-13Kor

The S-13Kor represents the heaviest variant in the Ugroza family of laser-guided rockets, adapting the 122 mm unguided S-13 for precision strikes with a semi-active laser homing system. This upgrade equips the rocket with a detachable forward guidance section stabilized by six-petal plumage and corrected mid-flight via pulsed solid-fuel engines, enabling effective engagement of small, hardened ground targets such as tanks and armored personnel carriers at extended distances. With a launch weight of 70 kg, the S-13Kor carries the largest payload among Ugroza variants, featuring a high-explosive fragmentation or tandem anti-tank optimized for penetrating armored vehicles and fortified positions. Its operational range spans 2,500 to 9,000 meters, allowing deployment from tactical or helicopters against mobile threats beyond the capabilities of lighter . The achieves a maximum speed of up to 500 m/s, contributing to its rapid time-to-target and reduced exposure for launch platforms. Accuracy is enhanced to a (CEP) of 0.8 to 1.8 meters, significantly improving hit probability on dynamic armored targets compared to unguided predecessors. It is launched from B-13L pods, which accommodate up to five rockets, facilitating salvo fire in support of missions. Common stabilization elements, such as the gas-dynamic piston in the guidance head, ensure reliable trajectory correction throughout flight.

Deployment and applications

Compatible platforms

The Ugroza guidance system is designed to integrate with standard Russian combat aircraft and helicopters capable of carrying the baseline S-5, S-8, and S-13 unguided rockets, allowing for direct replacement with the guided S-5Kor, S-8Kor, and S-13Kor variants without necessitating modifications to the airframes or launch systems. Primary fixed-wing platforms include the attack jet, which employs these rockets in roles via existing pylons. Attack helicopters such as the Hind and Black Shark are similarly compatible, utilizing unmodified rocket pods for deployment from low-altitude, forward-flying positions to support line-of-sight laser designation by the launching platform or external sources. For instance, the B-13L pod accommodates five S-13Kor rockets on these rotary-wing assets. Standard rocket pods remain fully operational with Ugroza upgrades, including the UB-16-57 series for S-5Kor (up to 16 or 32 rockets), B-8 variants for S-8Kor (typically 20 rockets), and B-13L for S-13Kor. This drop-in compatibility facilitates rapid field upgrades at storage bases or mobile workshops. As of November 2025, there is no confirmed evidence of operational deployment or integration on any platforms, Russian or otherwise.

Strategic role

The Ugroza system is intended to enhance Russian close air support capabilities by converting unguided rockets into low-cost precision-guided munitions, enabling accurate strikes against ground threats such as armored vehicles and personnel concentrations. This upgrade would significantly reduce compared to traditional unguided rockets, which often require extensive salvos to achieve similar effects, thereby improving operational efficiency and minimizing risks to friendly forces and civilians. As of November 2025, there have been no confirmed instances of the Ugroza system in combat operations or operational deployment, though its design positions it as a viable option for regional conflicts demanding economical yet precise munitions to support ground troops in contested environments. The system's laser-homing mechanism allows for integration with existing laser designators from or ground units, facilitating rapid target engagement in dynamic scenarios. In 1999, AMETECH outlined plans to expand the Ugroza technology beyond aerial rockets to artillery shells in calibers from 100 to 305 mm and multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) such as the and , aiming to modernize legacy ground-based fire support with similar precision enhancements. This extension would leverage the core principles to upgrade vast inventories of projectiles, potentially transforming imprecise area bombardment into targeted strikes. Key advantages of Ugroza include high utilization of existing stockpiles— maintains millions of unguided S-5, S-8, and S-13 rockets accumulated since the Soviet era—allowing cost-effective upgrades without full replacement of munitions. However, a notable disadvantage is its reliance on external designators for homing, which can limit effectiveness in adverse weather or against targets without persistent illumination. Overall, these attributes underscore Ugroza's potential strategic value in sustaining affordable precision firepower amid resource constraints.
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