9M542 extended-range high-explosive rocket

Also known as

9M542
9М542
Adjustable Jet Projectile 9M542

The 9M542 is a Russian 300 mm extended-range high-explosive fragmentation rocket projectile for the 9K58 Smerch family and compatible modernized launchers. Missilery describes the export-oriented projectile as a deep upgrade of the 9M55K with an inseparable HE-fragmentation head, 820 kg projectile mass, 150 kg warhead, 70 kg explosive fill, 9B708 control-system unit, and 40 to 120 km range. Rostec later listed it as Splav-produced extended-range ammunition used in Smerch launchers at SITDEF-2013.

9M542 extended-range high-explosive rocket, 300 mm extended-range high-explosive fragmentation rocket, Munitions

Image source: Adjustable Jet Projectile 9M542

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: Russia
Built by: NPO Splav
Type: 300 mm extended-range high-explosive fragmentation rocket
Service note: 2012-present
Produced: 2012-present

Specifications

Caliber: 300 mm
Launch platform: 9K58 Smerch / BM-30; later referenced with Tornado-S export material
Projectile mass: 820 kg
Length: 7,600 mm
Head mass: 150 kg
Explosive mass: 70 kg
Maximum range: 120 km
Minimum range: 40 km
Fragments: 500 ready-made fragments of 50 g each
Control components: 9B172 electronic-temporal device; 9B708 control-system unit
Intended targets: Personnel, unarmoured and lightly armoured vehicles, command posts, communications centers, and military-industrial facilities

Launch Platforms

The 9M542 is a Smerch-family 300 mm rocket described in official and reference sources as extended-range ammunition for Smerch and modernized Tornado-S/Smerch launcher families.

Launcher	Launcher type	Launch evidence
BM-30 Smerch	300 mm multiple launch rocket system	Missilery describes the 9M542 as a 300 mm rocket projectile for the 9K58 Smerch family, and Rostec later listed 9M542 extended range ammunition used in Smerch multiple launch rocket launchers produced by Splav. Sources: Adjustable Jet Projectile 9M542, Rostec to take part in SITDEF-2013
Tornado-S	300 mm multiple launch rocket system	Missilery describes the 9M542 as a 300 mm rocket developed for launch from the Tornado-S and Smerch rocket artillery systems, and Deagel likewise links the 9M542 to Tornado-S and Smerch launchers. Sources: Adjustable Jet Projectile 9M542, Deagel 9M54/9M542 reference

Launcher

Launcher type

Launch evidence

BM-30 Smerch

300 mm multiple launch rocket system

Missilery describes the 9M542 as a 300 mm rocket projectile for the 9K58 Smerch family, and Rostec later listed 9M542 extended range ammunition used in Smerch multiple launch rocket launchers produced by Splav.

Sources: Adjustable Jet Projectile 9M542, Rostec to take part in SITDEF-2013

Tornado-S

300 mm multiple launch rocket system

Missilery describes the 9M542 as a 300 mm rocket developed for launch from the Tornado-S and Smerch rocket artillery systems, and Deagel likewise links the 9M542 to Tornado-S and Smerch launchers.

Sources: Adjustable Jet Projectile 9M542, Deagel 9M54/9M542 reference

Timeline

9M542 extended-range high-explosive rocket Key Events

Apr 23, 2012
Export passport approved
Missilery cites a copy of export passport No. 434/12/EP for the 300 mm 9M542 extended-range rocket projectile approved on 23 April 2012.
Sources: Adjustable Jet Projectile 9M542
Apr 25, 2012
Advertising passport finalized
Missilery cites advertising passport No. 442/12/EP for the same 9M542 export projectile, finally agreed on 25 April 2012.
Sources: Adjustable Jet Projectile 9M542
May 14, 2013
Listed for SITDEF-2013
Rostec said 9M542 extended-range ammunition for Splav-produced Smerch launchers would be among the new weapons shown at SITDEF-2013 in Lima.
Sources: Rostec to take part in SITDEF-2013

Export Sample and Design Notes

Missilery describes the 9M542 as an export-oriented Smerch-family projectile whose April 2012 documentation was prepared for a foreign customer rather than the Russian customer. Rostec later presented it publicly as extended-range ammunition for Splav-produced Smerch launchers.

Point	Sourced context
Export approval	Export passport No. 434/12/EP was approved on 23 April 2012, followed by advertising passport No. 442/12/EP on 25 April 2012, placing the round in the early-2010s export line rather than the original 9M55-series loads.
Projectile package	Missilery lists the 9B172 electronic-temporal device, optional 9B172-1, 9B708 control-system unit, head part 9940, and missile part 9941.
Range tradeoff	Missilery's assessment links the 120 km range to a lighter head section and longer missile part while retaining a 7,600 mm overall length, so the 9M542 gains range while carrying a smaller 150 kg head.
Target set	The projectile is described for personnel, unarmoured and lightly armoured equipment, command posts, communication centers, and military-industrial facilities, placing it outside anti-armor submunition or mine-laying roles.

Sources: Adjustable Jet Projectile 9M542; Rostec to take part in SITDEF-2013.

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