The RBU-6000 Smerch-2 (Реактивно-Бомбовая Установка, Reaktivno-Bombovaja Ustanovka; rocket-bomb installation & Смерч; waterspout) is a 213 mm caliber Soviet anti-submarine rocket launcher. 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. 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. RPK-8 entered service in 1991 and was mounted on Project 1154 and 11356 frigates. Serial production of the upgraded 90R1 rocket, featuring a non-contact proximity fuze, 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
=== Rocket specifications === All rockets are 212 mm in diameter.
Both versions of depth charges have contact and programmed fuse modes. The guided depth charge released by 90R has its own name, 90SG.
Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket
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) Petya II/III-class frigate (Project 159A/159AE) Mirka-class frigate (Project 35/35M) Admiral Grigorovich-class frigate (Project 11356R) 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) Polish Navy ORP Kaszub corvette (Project 620) Romanian Naval Forces Romanian frigate Mărăşeşti Rear-Admiral Eustațiu Sebastian-class corvette Bulgarian Navy Koni-class frigate (Project 1159) Azerbaijani Navy Petya II-class frigate (Project 159A) 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) Nilgiri-class frigate (Project 17A) Kamorta-class corvette (Project 28) ASW-SWC-class corvette 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) Algerian National Navy Koni-class frigate (Project 1159T) Myanmar Navy Thalun class frigate
== Armoured vehicles == Russian Ground Forces MT-LBs and T-80 chassis have been seen with the launcher complex fitted during the Russo-Ukrainian War. Ural-4320 trucks have been reported with the launcher complex fitted during the Russo-Ukrainian War. Some were fitted with complete arrangement of twelve launch barrels, other with six or four barrels. Some of those vehicles were reported as destroyed by Ukrainian military and by ORYX.
References
The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Systems 1997-1998
External links
RBU-6000 on the manufacturer's official website Archived 2015-04-03 at the Wayback Machine Russia launches serial production of upgraded rockets for anti-submarine warfare system