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SNORA and SURA-D rockets

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SNORA
TypeUnguided air-to-surface and surface-to-surface rocket
Place of origin  Switzerland
Service history
In service1980's
Used bySwiss Air Force
Production history
ManufacturerOerlikon-Bührle
VariantsHigh-explosive fragmentation and hollow-charge
Specifications
MassSee table
Length1.5 - 1.7 m (variant dependent)
Caliber81 mm warhead
Muzzle velocitySee table
Maximum firing range10 kilometers
SURA-D
TypeUnguided air-to-surface rocket
Place of origin  Switzerland
Service history
In service1980's - present
Used bySwiss Air Force
Production history
ManufacturerOerlikon-Bührle
VariantsHigh-explosive fragmentation, hollow-charge, incendiary, marker, and training
Specifications
MassSee table
Length1.1 - 1.2 m (variant dependent)
CaliberSNORA 81 mm warhead SURA 80 mm warhead
Muzzle velocitySee table
Maximum firing range2.5 kilometers

The Oerlikon-Bührle SNORA and SURA-D are 81-mm and 80mm rockets developed in Switzerland in the late 1970's and fielded in the 1980's. The the SNORA could be used in both air-to-surface and surface-to-surface (rocket artillery) roles, while the SURA-D is an air-to-surface rocket. The SNORA was developed as a cooperative endeavor with the Italian firm SNIA-Viscosa (later SNIA-BPD). The original version of the SURA rocket, the SURA 80R, was developed by Hispano-Suiza in the 1960's.[1] In 1971 Oerlikon-Buhrle took over the military division of Hispano-Suiza and redesignated the SURA 80R, the SURA-FL. And further developed the improved SURA-FL which is the current SURA-D. The SNORA rockets can be fired from either a supersonic or subsonic aircraft. The SURA-D is limited to subsonic aircraft.

Oerlikon also developed the RWK 014, a surface-to-surface launcher for the type SNORA rockets. The RWK 014 has dual launchers of 15 tubes each and has been mounted on the MOWAG Tornado APC as well as the M113 armored personnel carrier. The RWK 014 can fire 10 rounds per second and has a reload time of six minutes.[2]

While the SNORA rocket was no longer produced by the late 1980's, the SURA-D is still in operational use. SNORA rockets from a variety of pods housing from either six or twelve rockets,[3] while SURA-D rockets are mounted as a vertical array with only the top-most rocket attached to an aircraft hardpoint. In this system, rockets are fired individually from the bottom of the tier to the top. The unique sliding fixed fin arrangement of the SURA-D acts as the forward hanger for the rocket below it. As the rocket is fired, the four fixed fins mounted on a ring slide down the body till they are stopped at the expansion area of the rocket motor nozzle and are locked in place. The SURA-D increased its accuracy by the addition of flutes inside the nozzle rear to give a low rotation rate in addition to the in addition to the stabilization effected by four fixed fins which take effect shortly after launch.

The 80-mm hollow-charge warhead on the SURA-D has been demonstrated by Oerlikon to penetrate 33 cm of armor.

Both rockets were exported by Switzerland and adopted by several other air forces. Italy later used the SNORA rocket as the basis for the development of the 81-mm Medusa rocket.[4]

External images
SNORA and SURA-D rockets
image icon SNORA pod Swiss AF MIRAGE IIIS
image icon SURA-D rockets Swiss AF Hunter
image icon SURA-D rocket showing launch example of fins used for mounting

SNORA and SURA-D rocket data

SNORA rocket type RAK 023 HE FRAG RAK 024 HE FRAG RAK 025 HE FRAG RAK 026 HC RAK 022 TNG
Warhead weight Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb
Explosive Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb
Weight of propulsion unit Template:Kg to lb
Complete rocket Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb
Velocity 820 m/s 670 m/s 520 m/s 820 m/s 670 m/s
SURA-D rocket type RAK 053 HE FRAG RAK 050 HE FRAG RAK 052 HE-I RAK 047 HC RAK 049 MKR RAK 051 TNG RAK 048 TNG
Warhead weight Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb
Explosive Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb n/a n/a Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb
Weight of propulsion unit Template:Kg to lb
Complete rocket Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb Template:Kg to lb
Velocity 530 - 595 m/s
Designation:
  • HE FRAG: High Explosive Fragmentation
  • HE-I: High Explosive - Incendiary
  • HC: Hollow Charge
  • MKR: Marker
  • TNG: Practice

Notes

  1. ^ flightglobal.com ad
  2. ^ Jane's Infantry Weapons 1984-85, p. 660.
  3. ^ Jane's Weapons Systems 1988-89, p. 750.
  4. ^ Armada International article.
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