The new S-8KL cassette air rocket with an unguided warhead has received an increased range due to work on improving the engine. This was announced by a representative of the Institute of Applied Physics, which is responsible for the development of the projectile.
According to him, the modernization was based on combat experience and primarily aimed at expanding the missile range in air defense conditions. The use of a thin-walled engine with more modern high-energy fuel made it possible not only to increase the flight range, but also to increase the size of the warhead.
This makes it possible to use not a monoblock warhead, but to divide it and make it cassette-type. The efficiency and range of combat use of the missile have significantly increased
Development work has been completed, and the projectile is already being produced "in limited quantities," he added.
The S-8KL rocket is an improved version of the Soviet unguided 80-mm S-8 aircraft rocket. In various versions, the range of the original reached 4 km. The cassette warhead weighs 7.3 kg. The S-8KL is used with container launchers on airplanes and helicopters. The rocket was first presented at the Army-2023 forum.