122 mm 9M42 Grad rocket

Also known as

9M42
122mm 9M42 Grad rocket

The 122 mm 9M42 is a Soviet illumination rocket developed by NPO Splav and related enterprises for the 9K510 portable illumination system. It is a base-ejecting, parachute-suspended Grad round with a 1,000-5,000 m range and a 90-second illuminating burn.

122 mm 9M42 Grad rocket, Illumination rocket, Munitions

Image source: File:122 mm raketti Hämeenlinna 1.JPG

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: Soviet Union
Built by: NPO Splavrelated enterprises
Built in: Soviet UnionRussia
Type: Illumination rocket
Service note: Late Cold War

illumination rocket artillery

Specifications

Caliber: 122 mm
Length: 1,760 mm
Weight: 27 kg
Range: 1,000-5,000 m
Illumination head: Base-ejecting, parachute-suspended, electrically initiated, fin and spin-stabilised
Illumination time: 90 s
Illuminated area: 500 m radius at 2 lx

Launch Platforms

CAT-UXO identifies the 9M42 as a BM-21 Grad rocket, while Missilery places it in the 9K510 illumination system.

Launcher

Launcher type

Launch evidence

BM-21 Grad, 122 mm multiple rocket launcher, Artillery

122 mm multiple rocket launcher

CAT-UXO lists the 122 mm 9M42 as a BM-21 Grad rocket.

Sources: CAT-UXO 122mm 9m42 grad rocket

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Adopted in 1989 as part of the 9K510 portable illumination system.

Media

122 mm 9M42 Grad rocket Images

122 mm 9M42 Grad rocket, Illumination rocket, Munitions - view 1 — Source: File:122 mm raketti Hämeenlinna 2.JPG

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Sources

CAT-UXO 122mm 9m42 grad rocketPublisher: CAT-UXO | Note: Supports the 9M42 as a 122 mm illuminating, base-ejecting, parachute-suspended, electrically initiated Grad rocket. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 9K510 Portable Jet System ("Illumination") - Missilery.infoPublisher: Missilery.info | Note: Supports NPO Splav development context and the 9M42 caliber, length, weight, range, and illumination duration. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 File:122 mm raketti Hämeenlinna 1.JPGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain photo of a Soviet 122 mm artillery rocket used in BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 File:122 mm raketti Hämeenlinna 2.JPGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain photo of the tail stabilizing fins of a Soviet 122 mm artillery rocket used in BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers. | Accessed: 2026-06-27