LAU-series rocket pod

Also known as

LAU series rocket pod
LAU-series rocket pods
LAU pod
LAU rocket pod

LAU-series rocket pods are reusable external aircraft launcher pods used for 2.75-inch/70 mm and 5-inch/127 mm aerial rockets. The family covers fixed-wing launcher lines such as LAU-32, LAU-68 F/A, LAU-61 G/A, and the LAU-10/A pod family for Zuni rockets, with some 2.75-inch versions also fitted to rotary-wing aircraft.

LAU-series rocket pod, Aircraft rocket pod family, Munitions

Image source: Seven-tube LAU32-A 2.75-inch FF AR pod adapted to the M-6 system.jpg

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Various manufacturers
Built in: United StatesBelgium
Type: Aircraft rocket pod family
Service note: 1950s-present
Produced: 1950s-present

air-launched fixed-wing reusable rocket launcher rocket pod rotary-wing

Specifications

Caliber: 2.75 in (70 mm) / 5 in (127 mm)
Launcher class: Reusable external aircraft pod
Typical capacity: 4, 7, or 19 rockets
Launcher families: LAU-10/A, LAU-32, LAU-61 G/A, LAU-68 F/A
Platform fit: Fixed-wing aircraft; some 2.75-inch variants also fit rotary-wing aircraft

Variants

LAU-10/A
LAU-32
LAU-61 G/A
LAU-68 F/A

Carrier Aircraft

The Skyhawk ordnance page lists LAU-series rocket pods and Zuni pods among the A-4's dumb weapons.

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

A-4 Skyhawk, Carrier-based light attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs

Carrier-based attack aircraft

The Skyhawk ordnance page lists LAU-series rocket pods and Zuni pods among the A-4's dumb weapons.

Sources: Skyhawk Ordnance | The Skyhawk Association

Representative Launcher Families

LAU-series pods cover two common aerial-rocket branches: 2.75-inch / 70 mm launchers such as LAU-32, LAU-68, and LAU-61, plus the 5-inch / 127 mm LAU-10 family used for Zuni rockets.

Launcher family	Caliber	Typical capacity	Platform fit
LAU-32	70 mm	7 tubes	Fixed-wing aircraft
LAU-68 F/A	70 mm	7 rockets	Fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft
LAU-61 G/A	70 mm	19 rockets	Fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft
LAU-10/A series	127 mm	4 tubes	Fixed-wing aircraft

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Reusable launcher family for 2.75-inch/70 mm and 5-inch/127 mm aerial rockets; fixed-wing fit is standard and some 2.75-inch variants also fit rotary-wing aircraft.

Media

LAU-series rocket pod Images

LAU-series rocket pod, Aircraft rocket pod family, Munitions - view 1 — Source: Grumman A-6A Intruder weapon load display, 1962 (NNAM.2011.003.240.028).jpg

LAU-series rocket pod, Aircraft rocket pod family, Munitions - view 2 — Source: A-4F VA-113 launching Zuni rockets 1968.jpg

Related Weapon Systems

2.75-inch rocket pod, Aircraft rocket pod, Munitions

Munitions2.75-inch rocket podAircraft rocket podThe 2.75-inch rocket pod is a reusable external launcher class for 70 mm aerial rockets on fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Arnold Defense's LAU-68 F/A and LAU-61 G/A product lines show 7- and 19-round launcher families, while Leonardo's AW109 TrekkerM brochure lists external 2 x 70 mm rocket launchers with 7 or 12 tubes.

5-inch rocket pod, Aircraft rocket pod, Munitions

Munitions5-inch rocket podAircraft rocket podThe 5-inch rocket pod is the reusable LAU-10-series aircraft launcher used for Zuni 5-inch FFAR rockets. Designation-Systems says NOTS China Lake began developing the 5-inch rocket in the early 1950s to replace the HVAR, and that after production approval in 1957 the rocket was deployed primarily in four-tube LAU-10/A pods.

LAU-32 rocket launcher, 7-tube 70 mm rocket launcher, Munitions

MunitionsLAU-32 rocket launcher7-tube 70 mm rocket launcherThe LAU-32 is a Belgian reusable seven-tube 70 mm launcher for fixed-wing aircraft. Thales Belgium describes it as an aluminum cylindrical pod with a central tube surrounded by six equally spaced tubes, offered in MOD.4 and MOD.5 forms for FFAR and wrap-around rocket use on aircraft such as the A-29 Super Tucano, F-5, and F/A-18.

2.75-inch rockets, Unguided 2.75-inch rocket family, Munitions

Munitions2.75-inch rocketsUnguided 2.75-inch rocket familyThe 2.75-inch rocket family is the U.S. unguided 70 mm air-to-ground rocket line managed in modern form by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. Official product material describes it as a lightweight, multi-mission rocket family, and Navy AV-8B documentation lists 2.75-inch rockets among the Harrier's air-to-ground stores.

5-inch rockets, Unguided 5-inch rocket family, Munitions

Munitions5-inch rocketsUnguided 5-inch rocket familyThe 5-inch rockets family covers U.S. air-to-surface rockets from the World War II HVAR, also called Holy Moses, through the later Zuni 5-inch FFAR. Smithsonian sources describe the HVAR as an effective Navy weapon that remained operational until 1955, while the Zuni entered service around 1958 with folding fins and continued in use into the 1980s. AV-8B inventory documentation still lists 5-inch rockets among the Harrier's air-to-ground stores.

FZ231 rocket launcher, Composite 70 mm rocket launcher, Munitions

MunitionsFZ231 rocket launcherComposite 70 mm rocket launcherThe FZ231 is Thales Belgium's lightweight composite 12-tube 70 mm rocket launcher for helicopters. It uses a Launcher Interface Unit, is reusable, fires FFAR and WA rocket motors, and is shown fitted to A109 LUH aircraft in Thales product pages.

Sources

Skyhawk Ordnance | The Skyhawk AssociationPublisher: The Skyhawk Association | Note: Supports the Skyhawk ordnance page listing LAU-series rocket pods and Zuni pods among the A-4's dumb weapons. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 LAU-68 F/A Extended Length Launcher - Arnold DefensePublisher: Arnold Defense | Note: Supports the 7-round 2.75-inch / 70 mm launcher family, fixed-wing and rotary-wing fit, and manufacturer context. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 LAU-61 G/A Digital Rocket Launcher - Arnold DefensePublisher: Arnold Defense | Note: Supports the 19-round 2.75-inch / 70 mm launcher family, fixed-wing and rotary-wing fit, and manufacturer context. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 LAU32 7-tube metallic rocket launcherPublisher: Thales Belgium | Note: Supports the Belgian LAU32 fixed-wing 70 mm launcher family, the seven-tube layout, firing mode, and manufacturer context. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Air-Launched 5-Inch Rockets | Designation-Systems.NetPublisher: Designation-Systems.Net | Note: Supports the LAU-10/A series family, the 5-inch / 127 mm Zuni rocket relationship, and the four-tube pod description. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Seven-tube LAU32-A 2.75-inch FF AR pod adapted to the M-6 system.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the LAU32-A pod image. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Grumman A-6A Intruder weapon load display, 1962 (NNAM.2011.003.240.028).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the A-6A weapon-load display showing launcher pods and Zuni rockets. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 A-4F VA-113 launching Zuni rockets 1968.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the A-4F launch photo showing Zuni rockets fired from launcher pods. | Accessed: 2026-06-27