BM-14

{{Infobox weapon | name = BM-14 | image = Реактивная система залпового огня БМ-14.jpg | image_size = 300 | caption = A 140mm, 16-round launcher (BM-14) mounted on a ZIS-151 truck. | origin = Soviet Union | type = Multiple rocket launcher | service = 1952–present | used_by = | wars = {{plainlist| *Vietnam War *Cambodian Civil War *Cambodian–Vietnamese War *Dhofar War *Indonesian invasion of East Timor{{sfn|Haryadi|2019|page=337}} *South African Border War *Angolan Civil War *Lebanese Civil War *Soviet–Afghan War<ref name="Afghan">{{cite book|title=The War in Afghanistan 1979–1989: The Soviet Empire at High Tide|first=David C.|last=Isby|publisher=Concord Publications |date=1990|page=41|isbn=978-9623610094}}</ref> *Algerian Civil War *Somali Civil War *War in Afghanistan (2001–2021){{sfn|Tucker-Jones|2014|page=47}} *Syrian civil war }}  | designer = NII 303 | design_date = 1950 | manufacturer = | production_date = | number = | variants =  | is_ranged = yes | is_bladed = | is_explosive = | is_artillery = yes | is_vehicle = yes | is_UK =  | weight = {{convert|5323|kg|lb|abbr=on}} | length = {{convert|5.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | part_length = | width = {{convert|1.9|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | height = {{convert|2.24|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | crew = 6<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Jane's pocket book of towed artillery|last=Foss|first=Christopher|date=1977|publisher=Collier|page=171|isbn=0020806000|location=New York|oclc=911907988}}</ref> | caliber = Diameter: {{convert|140|mm|in|abbr=on}}<br>Length: {{convert|1|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<br>Weight: {{convert|39.6|kg|lb|abbr=on}} | barrels = 16 in two rows | rate = | velocity = {{convert|400|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}} | max_range = {{convert|9.8|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name=":0" /> | elevation = +50°/0° | traverse = 180° | engine = GAZ-51 70 HP | engine_power = 6-cylinder petrol | pw_ratio = | suspension = Wheeled GAZ-63<br>4x4 chassis | vehicle_range = {{convert|650|km|mi|abbr=on}} | speed = {{convert|65|km/h|mi/h|abbr=on}}<ref name=":0" /> }}

The '''BM-14''' (BM for ''Boyevaya Mashina'', 'combat vehicle'), is a Soviet-made 140mm multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), normally mounted on a truck.

The BM-14 can fire 140 mm M-14 rockets with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead, a smoke warhead or a chemical warhead. It is similar to the BM-13 "Katyusha" and was partly replaced in service by the 122 mm BM-21 Grad.{{sfn|Prenatt|2016|pages=25−26}} While the Grad rockets are smaller, they have longer range and carry larger payloads.{{sfn|Isby|1988|page=284}}

Launchers were built in 16 and 17-round variants. The rockets have a maximum range of {{convert|9.8|km|sp=us}}.{{sfn|Prenatt|2016|page=26}}

The weapon is not accurate as there is no guidance system, but it is extremely effective in saturation fire.

==Variants== thumb|300x300px|BM-14MM (2B2R) thumb|300x300px|BM-14-17 (8U36) [[File:АКА-2-2 «Шмель» проекта 1204 (Астрахань) 2.jpg|thumb|300x300px|BM-14-17 on the Project 1204 gunboat]] thumb|300px|A 140mm, 16-round towed launcher RPU-14 (8U38). * '''BM-14 (8U32)''' − 16-round model (two rows of 8), launcher mounted on the ZIS-151 truck, it entered service in 1952.{{sfn|Prenatt|2016|pages=25−26}} Also known as '''BM-14-16'''{{sfn|Foss|1990|page=740}} ** '''BM-14M (2B2)''' − modified model, mounted on the ZIL-157{{sfn|Prenatt|2016|page=26}} ** '''BM-14MM (2B2R)''' − final upgrade, mounted on the ZIL-131{{sfn|Prenatt|2016|page=26}} * '''BM-14-17 (8U36)''' − 17-round (8+9 launch tubes) launcher, mounted on the GAZ-63A, revealed to the public in 1959.{{sfn|Foss|1990|page=739}} This launcher was also used on naval vessels, such as Project 1204 patrol boats{{sfn|Prenatt|2016|pages=26−27}} ** '''BM-14-17M (8U36M)''' − modified model, mounted on the GAZ-66{{sfn|Prenatt|2016|page=26}} * '''RPU-14 (8U38)''' − towed 16-round version, based on the carriage of the 85mm gun D-44 and used by Soviet Airborne Troops, where it was replaced by the 122mm BM-21V "Grad-V"{{sfn|Prenatt|2016|page=27}}

==Ammunition== The BM-14 launcher and its variants can fire 140mm rockets of the M-14-series (also called Soviet-made M14 artillery rockets). They have a minimum range of {{convert|3.8|km|sp=us}} and a maximum range of {{convert|9.8|km|sp=us}}.<ref name="HRW"/> The M-14 series consist of three known types: * '''M-14-OF''' − an M-14 rocket with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead containing {{convert|3.68|kg|sp=us}} of TNT<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/25044683/Projectile-and-Warhead-Identification-Guide-Foreign|title=Projectile and Warhead Identification Guide|work=US National Ground Intelligence Center|publisher=Scribd.com|date=1 January 1997|access-date=29 April 2015}}</ref> * '''M-14-D''' − an M-14 rocket with a smoke warhead containing white phosphorus<ref name="HRW"/> * '''M-14-S''' − an M-14 rocket with a chemical warhead containing {{convert|2.2|kg|sp=us}} of sarin<ref name="HRW"/>

==Use== The BM-14-16 was first seen in public during a parade in Red Square, Moscow in 1953 mounted on the rear of a ZIL-151 6×6 truck chassis. In Soviet service, each Motorized Rifle Division and Tank Division had one battalion with 18 launchers attached. While in the Chinese Army each Artillery Division had 32 BM-14-16s.{{sfn|Foss|1990|page=740}} The BM-14 had a short frontline service life, being replaced by the BM-21 Grad in 1964. By 1980, it was mounted on a Zil-131 chassis and used in Soviet Asian military districts, while the RPU-14 remained in frontline service with Soviet Airborne Forces in 1988.{{sfn|Isby|1988|pages=284–285}} In 1990, the RPU-14 began to be replaced by Grad launchers mounted on GAZ-66 trucks.{{sfn|Foss|1990|page=740}}

The North Vietnamese made use of both BM-14 and BM-21 during the Vietnam War. They were often cut down into individual tubes and used for hit-and-run attacks against United States forces.{{sfn|Isby|1988|page=285}} In the beginning of the Ogaden War, the noise of incoming Somali BM-14 rockets spread panic on Ethiopian forces before the Soviets began supplying BM-21s and BMD-20s to the Derg.{{sfn|Isby|1988|page=285}}

During the Soviet–Afghan War, the BM-14-17 was used by both the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan armed forces and ''mujahideen''.{{sfn|Foss|1990|page=739}} Prior to Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, the Taliban had some BM-14 and Grad mobile launchers at their disposal.{{sfn|Tucker-Jones|2014|page=47}}

During the Syrian Civil War, a rocket engine from a 140 mm M-14-series rocket was identified on 26 August 2013 by the U.N. fact-finding mission in the Muadamiyat al-Sham district southwest of Damascus, allegedly originating from the chemical attack on Western Ghouta on 21 August 2013.<ref name="The first UN report">{{cite web |first1=Åke |last1=Sellström |author-link=Åke Sellström |first2=Scott |last2=Cairns |first3=Maurizio |last3=Barbeschi |title=Report of the United Nations Mission to Investigate Allegations of the Use of Chemical Weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic on the alleged use of chemical weapons in the Ghouta area of Damascus on 21 August 2013 |publisher=United Nations |date=16 September 2013 |url=https://disarmament-library.un.org/UNODA/Library.nsf/780cfafd472b047785257b1000501037/e4d4477c9b67de9085257bf800694bd2/$FILE/A%2067%20997-S%202013%20553.pdf |access-date=29 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917130833/http://www.un.org/disarmament/content/slideshow/Secretary_General_Report_of_CW_Investigation.pdf |archive-date=17 September 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The rockets nozzle assembly had 10 jet nozzles ordered evenly in a circle with an electrical contact plate in the middle. The bottom ring of the rocket engine had the lot number "Г ИШ 4 25 - 6 7 - 179 К" engraved,<ref name="The first UN report" />{{rp|pages=21–22}} which means it was produced in 1967 by factory 179 (Sibselmash plant in Novosibirsk).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://siberiantimes.com/other/others/news/chemical-weapon-propulsion-unit-on-syrian-missile-made-in-siberia-says-russian-expert/|work=The Siberian Times|title=Chemical weapon propulsion unit on Syrian missile 'made in Siberia', says Russian expert |date=18 September 2013}}</ref> However, no warhead was observed at the impact site and none of the 13 environmental samples taken in the Western Ghouta area tested positive for sarin, although three had "degradation and/or by-products" possibly originating from sarin.<ref name="The Final UN report">{{cite web|title=The final U.N. report|url=https://unoda-web.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/report.pdf|publisher=United Nations Mission to Investigate Alleged Uses of Chemical Weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic|date=13 December 2013}}</ref>{{rp|pages=43–45}} On 18 September, the Russian Presidential Chief of Staff Sergei Ivanov commented on the U.N. missions findings. He said "these rockets were supplied to dozens of countries", but that "the Soviet Union never supplied warheads with sarin to anyone".<ref name="Tass">{{cite news|url=http://tass.ru/en/middle-east-and-north-africa/700932|agency=Itar Tass|title=Kremlin denies Soviet Union supplied warheads with sarin to other countries|date=18 September 2013}}</ref> Another type of rockets was used in the Eastern Ghouta attack.<ref name="HRW">{{cite news|title=Attacks on Ghouta|url=https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/syria_cw0913_web_1.pdf|publisher=Human Rights Watch| date=10 September 2013}}</ref>

==Operators== thumb|300x300px|Map of BM-14 operators in blue with former operators in red

===Current operators=== * {{ALG}} − 48 BM-14/16 {{as of|2023|lc=yes}}{{sfn|Military Balance 2023|p=316}} * {{CAM}} − 20 BM-14-16 {{as of|2023|lc=yes}}{{sfn|Military Balance 2023|p=236}} * {{flag|Congo-Brazzaville}}{{sfn|Military Balance 2023|p=444}} * {{CUB}}{{sfn|Military Balance 2023|p=394}} * {{EGY}} − 32 {{as of|2023|lc=yes}}{{sfn|Military Balance 2023|p=321}} * {{RUS}} − BM-14-17 mounted on Shmel-class (Project 1204) patrol boats as of 2023{{sfn|Military Balance 2023|page=188}} * {{VIE}}{{sfn|Military Balance 2023|p=299}} − fielded during the Vietnam War from 1967<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Rockets and Rocket Launchers |encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War: A Political, Social, and Military History |last=Zabecki |first=David T. |date=May 2011 |editor-last=Tucker |editor-first=Spencer C. |edition=2 |page=988 |isbn=978-1-85109-960-3 |ref={{harvid|Tucker|2011}}}}</ref>

===Former operators=== * {{AFG}}{{sfn|Tucker-Jones|2014|page=47}} * {{ANG}} − A number destroyed during the Angolan Civil War.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://rhodesia.nl/modhoop.htm|title=Operations Moduler and Hooper 1987-88|website=rhodesia.nl}}</ref> Operated BM-14-16s as late as 2011{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=1133}} * {{CHN}}{{sfn|Foss|1990|page=740}} * {{INA}} − Indonesian Marine Corps (Korps Marinir) operated 36 BM-14-17 launchers. Replaced by the RM-70 in 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indomiliter.com/bm-1417-generasi-pertama-self-propelled-mlrs-korps-marinir-tni-al/|title=BM-14/17: Generasi Pertama Self Propelled MLRS Korps Marinir TNI AL - Indomiliter.com|date=18 July 2015 |access-date=15 November 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106041010/https://www.indomiliter.com/bm-1417-generasi-pertama-self-propelled-mlrs-korps-marinir-tni-al/|archive-date=6 November 2020}}</ref> * {{PRK}}{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=1139}} * {{flag|Polish People's Republic|name=Poland}}{{sfn|Military Balance 1989|pages=49−50}} * {{SOM}} − BM-14-16 and BM-14-17{{sfn|Foss|1990|pages=739−740}} * {{URS}}{{sfn|Military Balance 1989|page=34}} − Passed on to successor states in 1991 * {{flag|Ba'athist Syria|name=Syria}} − 200 BM-14 purchased in 1967.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sipri: Trade Registers |url=http://portal.sipri.org/publications/pages/transfer/trade-register |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423140358/http://portal.sipri.org/publications/pages/transfer/trade-register |archive-date=23 April 2014 |access-date=2015-05-10}}</ref> Remained in service as late as 2016<ref>{{cite book|title=The Military Balance 2016|date=February 2016|volume=116|isbn=9781857438352 |publisher=Routlegde|author=International Institute for Strategic Studies|page=354|author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies}}</ref> * {{flag|South Yemen}} − 15 BM-14 in 1989,{{sfn|Military Balance 1989|page=142}} passed on to the unified Yemeni state{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=1145}} * {{YEM}}{{sfn|Foss|2011|page=1145}}

==Similar designs== * The '''Type 63 130mm multiple rocket launcher''' (not to be confused with the towed Type 63 of 107mm) is the Chinese version of the BM-14-17. It has a slightly smaller calibre but is fitted with 19 instead of 17 launch tubes. The Type 63 MRL is based on the Nanjing NJ-230 or 230A 4x4 truck, a licence-produced version of the Soviet GAZ-63/63A. * The '''WP-8z''' ({{langx|pl|Wyrzutnia Pocisków rakietowych}}) was a Polish towed rocket launcher that was developed in 1960. The weapon was subsequently produced between 1964 and 1965. It fired the same rockets as the RPU-14 but had only 8 launch tubes. The main operator was the 6th Pomeranian Airborne Division ({{langx|pl|6 Pomorska Dywizja Powietrzno-Desantowa}}).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/140-mm-8-round-WP-8-Multiple-Rocket-System-Poland.html |title=Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's | IHS |publisher=Articles.janes.com |access-date=2013-09-03 |archive-date=3 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503102602/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/140-mm-8-round-WP-8-Multiple-Rocket-System-Poland.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> with 12-18 WP-8s in its inventory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oocities.org/area51/rampart/1966/6pdpd.htm |title=6 PDPD |publisher=Oocities.org |access-date=2013-09-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.militarium.net/viewart.php?aid=495 |title=Wyrzutnia rakietowa WP-8z |publisher=Militarium |date=2009-02-17 |access-date=2013-09-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927051106/http://www.militarium.net/viewart.php?aid=495 |archive-date=2013-09-27 }}</ref>

== See also == *Type 63 multiple rocket launcher * Katyusha World War II multiple rocket launchers (BM-13, BM-8, and BM-31) * M16 (rocket), U.S. 4.5 inch multiple rocket launcher * BM-21 Grad 122 mm multiple rocket launcher * BM-27 Uragan 220 mm multiple rocket launcher

==References== {{Reflist}}

===Bibliography=== {{Refbegin}} *{{cite book |editor1-last=Foss |editor1-first=Christopher F |editor1-link=Christopher F. Foss |title=Jane's Armour and Artillery 1990−1991 |date=1990 |publisher=Jane's Defence Data |location=Coulsdon, Surrey |isbn=978-0-7106-0909-0 |edition=11th}} *{{cite book |editor1-last=Foss |editor1-first=Christopher F |editor1-link=Christopher F Foss |title=Jane's Armour and Artillery 2011–2012 |publisher=Janes Information Group |location=Surrey |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-71062-960-9 |pages= |edition=32nd |chapter= |url=https://archive.org/details/janesarmourartil0000unse}} * {{cite book|last=Haryadi|first= Letkol. (Mar.) Yosafat Robert|title=Sejarah Kavaleri Korps Marinir|publisher=Penerbit Karunia|year=2019|location=Surabaya|isbn=978-979-9039-97-2|language=ID}} *{{cite book |last1=Isby |first1=David C. |title=Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Army |date=1988 |publisher=Jane's Publishing Company Limited |location=London and New York, NY |isbn=978-0-7106-0352-4 |edition=Revised |url=https://archive.org/details/weaponstacticsof0000isby/}} * {{cite book |last1=Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The military balance, 1989-1990 |date=1989 |publisher=Brassey's |location=London |isbn=978-0080375694 |ref={{harvid|Military Balance 1989}} |author1-link=Institute for Strategic Studies }} * {{cite book |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2023 |date=February 2023 |publisher=Routledge, Chapman & Hall, Incorporated | ref={{harvid|Military Balance 2023}}|isbn=978-1-032-50895-5 |page=188 |language=en |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies }} *{{cite book |last1=Prenatt |first1=Jamie |title=Katyusha: Russian Multiple Rocket Launchers 1941–Present |date=2016 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |location=Oxford and New York, NY |isbn=978-1-4728-1086-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CzUgDAAAQBAJ |language=en}} *{{cite book |last1=Tucker-Jones |first1=Anthony |title=The Afghan War: Operation Enduring Freedom 2001–2014 |date=2014 |publisher=Pen and Sword |location=Barnsley, South Yorkshire |isbn=978-1-4738-4228-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YzMRBQAAQBAJ |language=en}} {{refend}}

==External links== {{Commons category|BM-14}} *[http://www.fas.org/terrorism/str/index.html Use of BM-14 by the Taliban] *[https://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/rpu-14.htm Description of BM-14] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20080509122555/http://www.cubapolidata.com/cafr/cafr_army.html Use of BM-14 by Cuban Armed Forces] *[http://english.pravda.ru/hotspots/conflicts/07-08-2006/83771-Katyusha-0 Range and Payload] *[http://www.country-data.com/frd/cs/algeria/dz_appen.html Algerian use of BM-14 as of 1993] *[http://www.primeportal.net/artillery/david_lueck/type_63_mrl/ Walk-around of Type 63 130mm MRL]

{{PostWWIISovietAFVS}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}} {{SovArtyColdWar}} Category:Cold War artillery of the Soviet Union Category:Multiple rocket launchers of the Soviet Union Category:Chemical weapon delivery systems Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1950s