9M55K cargo rocket

The 9M55K is a Soviet/Russian 300 mm Smerch cargo rocket designed to carry 72 9N235 fragmentation submunitions over a 20 to 70 km range. It is a fin-stabilized, solid-propellant artillery rocket fired from the BM-30 / 9K58 Smerch launcher family and documented in Syria and Ukraine.

9M55K cargo rocket, 300 mm cluster cargo rocket, Munitions

Image source: BM-30 Smerch-5193 rocket image

Profile

Origin: Soviet Union / Russia
Built by: NPO Splav
Type: 300 mm cluster cargo rocket
Service note: Late Soviet period to present
Designer: Soviet defense industry
Designed: Late Soviet period
Produced: Soviet and Russian production
Variants: 9M55K rocket projectile with fragmentation submunitions scattering cluster warhead

cluster munition rocket artillerysmerch300 mm

Specifications

Caliber: 300 mm
Launch platform: BM-30 / 9K58 Smerch multiple-launch rocket system
Range: 20-70 km
Weight: 800 kg
Length: 7,600 mm
Warhead weight: 243 kg
Payload: 72 x 9N235 submunitions
Propulsion: Solid-propellant rocket motor

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Carried by BM-30 / 9K58 Smerch launchers

Carried Submunitions

The 9M55K is a Smerch cargo rocket documented carrying 9N235 submunitions.

Carried item

Item type

Carriage evidence

9N235 cluster submunition

High-explosive fragmentation submunition

ARES and Human Rights Watch identify the 9M55K as a 300 mm Smerch cargo rocket that carries 72 9N235 submunitions.

Sources: 9M55K Cargo Rockets and 9N235 Submunitions in Syria, Technical Briefing Note: Cluster Munition Use in Ukraine

9M55K cargo rocket Images

9M55K cargo rocket, 300 mm cluster cargo rocket, Munitions - view 1 — Source: BM-30 Smerch-5193 rocket image

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Sources

9M55K Cargo Rockets and 9N235 Submunitions in SyriaPublisher: Armament Research Services | Note: Supports the 9M55K's 300 mm Smerch context, 20-70 km range, 800 kg weight, 7,600 mm length, 243 kg warhead, and 72 carried 9N235 submunitions. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 300mm smerch 9m55 rocketPublisher: CAT-UXO | Note: Supports identification of the 9M55 as a cargo-carrier, fin-stabilised, solid-propellant artillery rocket fired from the BM-30 heavy Multiple Launch Rocket System. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Technical Briefing Note: Cluster Munition Use in UkrainePublisher: Human Rights Watch | Note: Supports manufacturer and technical background by citing Splav's 300 mm 9M55K rocket projectile with fragmentation submunitions scattering cluster warhead. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 BM-30 Smerch-5193 rocket imagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the Smerch rocket image used on this entry; the file page identifies it as a rocket of the 9K58 Smerch system under CC BY-SA 3.0. | Accessed: 2026-06-23