RBU-6000

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 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 . The warhead is a shaped charge, which enables it to punch through the hulls of submarines. It can also be used against divers and torpedoes. System response time is reported to be 15 seconds and a single-salvo has a kill probability of 0.8. 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.

India's DRDO developed Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR) to enhance the range of existing RGB-60 rocket. ERASR has twin motor propulsion system which can fire the rocket in short range and long range mode to achieve a distance of 500 m to 8900 m. The rocket was successfully test fired from INS Chennai on 3 April 2023.

Ships

Ship classes fitted with RBU-6000 (list not complete)

*

** (Project 1123)
** (Project 1143/1143M)
** (Project 58)
** (Project 1134)
** (Project 1134A)
** (Project 1134B)
** (Project 1144/11442)
** (Project 1164)
** Kotlin-SAM-class destroyer (Project 56K/56A/56AE)
** (Project 57A)
** (Project 61/61M/61MP)
** (Project 1155)
** Burevestnik/Burevestnik M-class frigate (Project 1135/1135M)
** (Project 1154)
** (Project 1159)
** Petya II/III-class frigate (Project 159A/159AE)
** (Project 35/35M)
** (Project 11356R)
** Grisha I/III/IV/V-class corvette (Project 1124.1/1124M/1124K/1124ME)
** Parchim II-class corvette (Project 133.1M)
** (Project 204)
* Soviet border Guard
Russian Border Guard
** Nerei-class frigate (Project 11351)
*
** corvette (Project 620)
*
**
**
*
** Koni-class frigate (Project 1159)
*
** Petya II-class frigate (Project 159A)
*
** (Project 61ME)
** (Project 15)
** (Project 15A)
** (Project 15B)
** (Project 11356)
** (Project 17)
** ''Nilgiri''-class frigate (Project 17A)
** (Project 28)
* Vietnam People's Navy
** Petya II/III-class frigate (Project 159A/159AE)
*
** Parchim I-class corvette (Project 133)
*
** Koni-class frigate (Project 1159TP)
*
** Koni-class frigate (Project 1159T)

Armoured vehicles

*
** MT-LBs and T-80 chassis have been seen with the launcher complex fitted during the Russo-Ukrainian War.

References

* ''The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Systems 1997-1998''

External links

RBU-6000 on the manufacturer's official website


Russia launches serial production of upgraded rockets for anti-submarine warfare system

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rbu-6000
Naval weapons of the Cold War
Anti-submarine missiles of the Soviet Union
Cold War weapons of the Soviet Union
Military equipment introduced in the 1960s
NPO Splav products
Anti-submarine rockets