Munitions

122 mm 9M42 Grad rocket

Also known as
  • 9M42
  • 122mm 9M42 Grad rocket
  • 9K510 illumination rocket

The 122 mm 9M42 is a Soviet illumination rocket developed by NPO Splav and related enterprises for the 9K510 portable illumination system and the Grad rocket family. It is a base-ejecting, parachute-suspended round with a 1,000-5,000 m range, a 90-second illuminating burn, and a 500 m illuminated-radius specification.

122 mm 9M42 Grad rocket, Illumination rocket, Munitions
Image source: File:122 mm raketti Hämeenlinna 1.JPG
Profile / Specs

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
System context
9K510 portable illumination system; Grad-family 122 mm rocket
Launch Platforms

CAT-UXO identifies the 9M42 as a BM-21 Grad rocket, while Missilery and the U.S. Army Worldwide Equipment Guide place it in the 9K510 illumination system around a portable 122 mm launcher.

LauncherLauncher typeLaunch evidence
BM-21 Grad, 122 mm multiple rocket launcher, ArtilleryBM-21 Grad122 mm multiple rocket launcher

CAT-UXO lists the 122 mm 9M42 as a BM-21 Grad rocket, supporting its place in the wider 122 mm Grad ammunition family.

Sources: CAT-UXO 122mm 9m42 grad rocket

Grad-P Light portable rocket system, Single-round man-portable 122 mm rocket launcher, ArtilleryGrad-P Light portable rocket systemportable 122 mm launcher

The U.S. Army Worldwide Equipment Guide identifies the 9P132 one-round launcher with the 9K510 designation when firing the 9M42 illumination rocket.

Sources: 9P132 Russian 122mm One-Round Rocket Launcher

Illumination Mission

The 9M42 is built around night battlefield illumination rather than blast or fragmentation. The round ejects a parachute-suspended illuminating element and is documented as a short-range Grad-family support munition.

FeatureDocumented valueWhy it matters
Illumination duration90 sGives units a temporary overhead light source for observation and target acquisition.
Illuminated area500 m radius at 2 lxDefines the useful light footprint claimed for the suspended flare.
Range band1,000-5,000 mPlaces the 9M42 in a close-support illumination role compared with longer-range high-explosive Grad rounds.
Launch contextBM-21 Grad family and 9K510 portable systemLinks the munition both to standard Grad ammunition references and to the portable one-round illumination setup.
Timeline

122 mm 9M42 Grad rocket Key Events

  1. 9K510 accepted into service

    Missilery states that the 9K510 portable illumination system with the 9M42 rocket was accepted into service in 1989.

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
Related Weapon Systems
9K510 illumination system, Portable 122 mm battlefield illumination rocket system, ArtilleryArtillery9K510 illumination systemPortable 122 mm battlefield illumination rocket systemThe 9K510 illumination system is a Soviet portable 122 mm battlefield-lighting rocket system built around the 9M42 unguided illumination projectile, a 2P132 launcher, and a 9P611 launch panel. Public references treat it as a Grad-P-derived support system for night operations rather than a vehicle-mounted salvo launcher, and Missilery attributes development to NPO Splav and related enterprises before Soviet Army adoption in December 1989.

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: 2026-06-299K510 Portable Jet System ("Illumination") - Missilery.infoPublisher: Missilery.info | Note: Supports NPO Splav development context, 1989 service adoption, the 9K510 system context, and the 9M42 caliber, length, weight, range, illuminated area, and illumination duration. | Accessed: 2026-06-299P132 Russian 122mm One-Round Rocket LauncherPublisher: OE Data Integration Network | Note: Supports 9P132/9K510 portable-launcher context for the 9M42 illumination rocket. | Accessed: 2026-06-29File: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: 2026-06-29File: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: 2026-06-29