Air-to-ground rocket

Air-to-ground rockets are unguided aerial rockets launched from underwing pods or blocks for ground attack and weapons training. The Aero L-29 Delfin's documented rocket fit uses an R57-4M launcher for 57 mm S-5 aerial rockets, while Skytamer also lists eight air-to-ground rockets as an armament option.

Air-to-ground rocket, Unguided aerial rocket family, Munitions

Image source: Wikimedia Commons S-5M 57 mm rocket

Profile

Origin: Various
Built by: Various manufacturers
Type: Unguided aerial rocket family
Service note: Cold War-era aerial rocket class still seen on legacy aircraft

unguided strike close air support

Specifications

Guidance: Unguided free-flight rocket
Launch method: Underwing launch blocks or rocket pods
Representative caliber: 57 mm S-5 aerial rocket class
L-29 loadout: Eight rockets or an R57-4M quadruple launcher on the Aero L-29 Delfin
Role: Ground attack and weapons training

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Documented on legacy trainers and ground-attack aircraft as pod-launched or underwing rocket armament.

Carrier Aircraft

The Aero L-29 Delfin is documented with an underwing rocket fit for air-to-ground rockets.

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

Aero L-29 Delfin

Jet trainer and light attack aircraft

Skytamer lists eight air-to-ground rockets as an armament option for the L-29, and WeaponsSystems.net identifies the common rocket fit as an R57-4M quadruple launcher for 57 mm S-5 aerial rockets.

Sources: Skytamer L-29 Delfin, Aero L-29 Delfin - Weaponsystems.net

Air-to-ground rocket Images

Air-to-ground rocket, Unguided aerial rocket family, Munitions - view 1 — Source: Wikimedia Commons S-5M 57 mm rocket

Air-to-ground rocket, Unguided aerial rocket family, Munitions - view 2 — Source: Wikimedia Commons Mi-24 UB-32 pods

Air-to-ground rocket, Unguided aerial rocket family, Munitions - view 3 — Source: Wikimedia Commons UB-32 S-5 rocket launcher

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Sources

GlobalSecurity rockets manual extractPublisher: GlobalSecurity.org | Note: Supports the Soviet 57 mm S-5 aerial rocket family, its launch-tube context, and general unguided aerial-rocket background. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Aero L-29 Delfin - Weaponsystems.netPublisher: Weaponsystems.net | Note: Supports the L-29's common rocket fit as a R57-4M quadruple launcher for 57 mm S-5 aerial rockets and its hardpoint armament limit. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Skytamer L-29 DelfinPublisher: Skytamer Images | Note: Supports the L-29's armament option of eight air-to-ground rockets under the wings. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Wikimedia Commons S-5M 57 mm rocketPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the primary representative rocket image. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Wikimedia Commons Mi-24 UB-32 podsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a representative rocket-pod image. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Wikimedia Commons UB-32 S-5 rocket launcherPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a launcher/pod image showing the rocket family in a carrier context. | Accessed: 2026-06-23