Russia mass produces new generation "armor-piercing" missiles

From the S-8 armor-piercing missile, which seemed to have reached its limit in power, Russia has created a new version with a longer range, a more powerful engine, and the ability to penetrate more targets...

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Russia begins mass production of upgraded version of S-8 missile. (Source: HJSC)

Russian weapons experts have a saying: “From a powerful weapon, we can create a new, more powerful version.” The new generation of armor-piercing missiles is a testament to this.

The S-8 OFP unguided missile (OFP is the abbreviation for "piercing fragment") used for air attacks has been in the Russian military's inventory for many years.

Most engineers and designers (including aviation experts) believed that nothing better could be created from this weapon, as it seemed that all its features had been maximized. However, the experts of the Tekhmash and Splav Research and Production Centers have done what seemed impossible.

Initially, Russian Defense Ministry officials were also skeptical of the Tekhmash and Splav Center's claims. However, after confirming the results of the first batch of missiles, the Russian Defense Ministry decided to put the upgraded S-8 missile into mass production.

First of all, the name of the missile changed when the new S-8 version was designated as an “armor-piercing” missile.

Basically, the new S-8 version does not change much compared to the old version but has outstanding new technical and tactical features.

Since the shape and dimensions are the same as the old version, the new S-8 version is completely compatible with the launcher of the old version. This means that the launcher of the old S-8 does not need to be changed or added, which saves the Splav Center a lot of time and money.

Notably, many new details and solutions were introduced and applied, so many basic parameters of the new S-8 armor-piercing missile were significantly adjusted.

The size of the new and old S-8 missiles is 80mm, the length is 1500mm, the starting weight is 17kg. However, the warhead of the new S-8 version is a penetrating type, weighing 9kg, the explosive charge is 2.5kg, while the explosive charge of the old S-8 version is 1kg.

The body of the new S-8 has a stronger structure, with an internal groove, which helps fragments disperse further.

The fuse is designed in two modes, the first mode helps the warhead explode as soon as the missile approaches the target, the second mode allows the warhead to explode more slowly, when the missile has penetrated the target.

The engine of the new S-8 version runs on solid fuel, with higher energy indicators, so its firing range reaches 6km (the old S-8 version has a firing range of 3-4km).

Russian helicopter pilots, after testing the new generation S-8 missile, commented: "Because of its longer range, when using the new armor-piercing missile to attack, it is not necessary to enter the enemy's air defense, and thus the safety of the squadron will be higher."

The new missile's engine has a larger capacity, which will overcome the limitations caused by the new missile's weight and its heavier warhead compared to the old version. The warhead of the new S-8 can penetrate brick and concrete structures and destroy light armored vehicles. According to Russian pilots, these are very necessary features in the current military campaign in Ukraine.

Another very important "plus" point of the new S-8 is that it still retains the same shape and size as the old S-8 OFP version, so the suspended launchers already on Russian Air Force fighters and attack helicopters are still fully compatible with the new S-8 armor-piercing missile version.

Russian defense officials say the new S-8 armor-piercing missile will soon be first supplied to Su-25 attack aircraft and multi-role attack helicopters.

Source