BM-21 Grad
The BM-21 "Grad" (Russian: БМ-21 "Град", lit. 'hailstorm') is a self-propelled 122 mm multiple rocket launcher designed in the Soviet Union. The system and the M-21OF rocket were first developed in the early 1960s, and saw their first combat use in March 1969 during the Sino-Soviet border conflict. BM stands for boyevaya mashina (Russian: боевая машина – combat vehicle), and the nickname grad means "hail". The complete system with the BM-21 launch vehicle and the M-21OF rocket is designated as the M-21 field-rocket system. The complete system is more commonly known as a Grad multiple rocket launcher system.
| BM-21 "Grad" | |
|---|---|
A Russian BM-21-1 on display in Saint Petersburg in May 2009 | |
| Type | Multiple rocket launcher |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1963–present |
| Used by | See operators |
| Wars |
|
| Production history | |
| Designer | Splav State Research and Production Enterprise |
| Designed | 1963 |
| Manufacturer | Splav State Research and Production Enterprise |
| Produced | 1963–present |
| No. built | 8000 + |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications (9K51) | |
| Mass | 13.71 tonnes (30,225 lb) |
| Length | 7.35 m (24 ft 1 in) |
| Barrel length | 3 m (9 ft 10 in) |
| Width | 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in) |
| Height | 3.09 m (10 ft 2 in) |
| Crew | 3 |
| Caliber | 122 mm |
| Barrels | 40 |
| Rate of fire | 2 rounds/s |
| Muzzle velocity | 690 m/s (2,264 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 0.5–52 km |
| Sights | PG-1M panoramic telescope |
| Engine | V8 gasoline ZiL-375 180 hp (130 kW) |
| Suspension | 6×6 wheeled |
Operational range | 405 km (251 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 75 km/h (47 mph) |
In NATO countries the system, either the complete system or the launch vehicle only, was initially known as the M1964. Several other countries have copied the Grad or have developed similar systems. In Russian service its intended replacement is the 9A52-4 Tornado. Many similar 122 mm MLRS systems are made by different countries based on the BM-21 Grad.