The 5-inch rocket pod is the U.S. LAU-10-series reusable aircraft launcher for four Zuni 5-inch FFAR rockets. It began as the LAU-10/A package for the Mk 16 Zuni, later evolved into Mk 71-compatible LAU-10C/A and thermally coated LAU-10D/A launchers, and is directly documented on Ukrainian Su-25 aircraft during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War.
Ukrainian Su-25s were documented carrying U.S.-supplied 127 mm Zuni rockets in LAU-10 pods and later reported striking Russian positions with LAU-10 launchers, after U.S. aid records listed Zuni aircraft rockets for Ukraine's existing aircraft.
Role detailsThe LAU-10 designations describe the reusable 5-inch Zuni launcher family rather than separate rocket rounds. Early LAU-10/A launchers were tied to the Mk 16 Zuni package; the C/A and D/A variants are documented with the Mk 71 Zuni motor.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| LAU-10/A | Early four-round Zuni launcher | NAYWEPS OP 2626 describes the LAU-10/A as the reusable package for shipping, stowing, and firing four 5.0-inch Zuni rockets, with frangible fairings fitted for launch. Sources: NAYWEPS OP 2626 Zuni |
| LAU-10B/A | Reusable four-tube launcher | Navy aviation-ordnance training material lists LAU-10B/A with four aluminum tubes, reusable construction, and single or ripple firing. Sources: Aircraft Rockets and Rocket Launchers | GlobalSecurity PDF |
| LAU-10C/A | Mk 71-compatible shore-based launcher | Designation-Systems and FAS identify LAU-10C/A as a four-round Mk 71 Zuni launcher for shore-based use only, lacking the LAU-10D/A thermal coating. Sources: Air-Launched 5-Inch Rockets | Designation-Systems.Net, LAU-10 Rocket Launcher | FAS |
| LAU-10D/A | Thermally coated launcher | FAS describes LAU-10D/A as the shore- or shipboard-capable counterpart to LAU-10C/A, with external thermal coating that extends cook-off protection time. Sources: LAU-10 Rocket Launcher | FAS |
The LAU-10 family is the reusable pod associated with the Zuni branch of U.S. 5-inch aircraft rockets.
| Launched item | Item type | Launch evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Unguided 5-inch aircraft rocket family | Designation-Systems describes Zuni as the 5-inch folding-fin aircraft rocket primarily deployed in four-tube LAU-10/A-series pods. Sources: Air-Launched 5-Inch Rockets | Designation-Systems.Net |
Published sources tie LAU-10 or 5-inch Zuni pod carriage to several fixed-wing aircraft; only existing public catalog records are linked here.
| Carrier | Carrier type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Attack aircraft | TWZ described a Ukrainian Su-25 carrying U.S.-supplied 5-inch Zuni rockets loaded in an LAU-10 rocket pod during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War. |
 | Carrier-based attack aircraft | CriticalPast archival footage identifies Zuni rocket pods under an A-4 Skyhawk aboard USS Constellation at Yankee Station in July 1967. |
 | Observation and light attack aircraft | The OV-10A/D tactical manual lists the 5.00-inch LAU-10-series rocket launcher, and Navy imagery documents an OV-10A firing a Zuni rocket in Vietnam. Sources: OV-10A/D Tactical Manual | Internet Archive, Rockwell OV-10A Bronco VAL-4 Zuni image |
 | Fighter-bomber | The F-4S characteristics summary lists LAU-10/A packages with four 5.00-inch Zuni rockets for the Navy Phantom II. Sources: F-4S USN Characteristics Summary |
 | Carrier-based attack aircraft | Valiant Air Command's A-6E page lists LAU-10 Zuni rocket pods among the Intruder armament examples. Sources: Valiant Air Command A-6E Intruder |
 | Advanced jet trainer / light strike aircraft | MilitaryFactory's AT-3 comparison page and TaiwanAirPower's store list both show 5-inch rocket pods among the aircraft's external stores. Sources: MilitaryFactory AT-3 external-store comparison, AIDC AT-3 weapons list | TaiwanAirPower |
The Naval Ordnance Test Station at China Lake began developing the Zuni 5-inch FFAR in the early 1950s to replace the HVAR.
Sources: Air-Launched 5-Inch Rockets | Designation-Systems.Net
The Zuni was approved for production in 1957 and deployed primarily in four-tube LAU-10/A-series pods.
Sources: Air-Launched 5-Inch Rockets | Designation-Systems.Net
The Mk 71 Zuni motor began replacing the earlier Mk 16 motor, which made the later LAU-10C/A and LAU-10D/A launcher variants the relevant Mk 71 pod family.
Sources: Air-Launched 5-Inch Rockets | Designation-Systems.Net, Navy Training System Plan for Consolidated Rocket Systems
The Navy training plan dates full production of the Mk 71 Mod 1 motor to September 1973, while FAS describes full production of the LAU-10C/A and LAU-10D/A launchers beginning the same month.
Sources: Navy Training System Plan for Consolidated Rocket Systems, LAU-10 Rocket Launcher | FAS
U.S. security-assistance records listed 4,000 Zuni aircraft rockets for Ukraine, and a Pentagon briefing said the rockets could be mounted on Ukraine's existing aircraft.
Sources: DoD January 2023 Ukraine Assistance Release, Pentagon January 2023 Ukraine Assistance Briefing
TWZ described a Ukrainian Su-25 carrying U.S.-supplied 5-inch Zuni rockets loaded in an LAU-10 rocket pod.
Sources: TWZ Ukraine Situation Report LAU-10 Su-25
UNITED24 Media reported Ukrainian Air Force Su-25 jets striking Russian positions with American Zuni rockets carried in LAU-10 launchers.
Sources: UNITED24 Su-25 Zuni Strike
