Profile
- Origin
- United States
- Built by
- Various manufacturers
- Built in
- United StatesBelgium
- Type
- Aircraft rocket pod family
- Service note
- 1950s-present
- Produced
- 1950s-present
Munitions
LAU-series rocket pod
Also known as
- LAU series rocket pod
- LAU-series rocket pods
- LAU pod
- LAU rocket pod
- LAU rocket launcher
- LAU-series rocket launcher
- LAU-3/A
- LAU-10/A
- LAU-32
- LAU-61C/A
- LAU-61 G/A
- LAU-68D/A
- LAU-68 F/A
- LAU-5002
- LAU-5003
LAU-series rocket pods are external aircraft launcher pods for 2.75-inch / 70 mm and 5-inch / 127 mm aerial rockets. The designation family spans four-tube LAU-10 Zuni pods, seven-tube LAU-32 and LAU-68 launchers, nineteen-shot LAU-3 and LAU-61 launchers, and CRV7-related LAU-5002 / LAU-5003 pods; most named LAU launchers are reusable, while some adjacent CRV7 launcher designations are disposable.
Profile / Specs
Specifications
- Caliber
- 2.75 in (70 mm) and 5 in (127 mm) aircraft rockets
- Launcher class
- External aircraft rocket pod; mostly reusable launcher families, with some disposable adjacent CRV7 launchers
- Typical capacity
- 4, 6, 7, or 19 rockets depending on launcher designation
- Five-inch branch
- LAU-10/A-series four-tube Zuni launcher family
- Seventy-millimeter branches
- LAU-3/A, LAU-32, LAU-61C/A, LAU-61 G/A, LAU-68D/A, LAU-68 F/A, LAU-5002, and LAU-5003
- Firing modes
- Single and ripple firing on LAU-61C/A, LAU-68D/A, and LAU-10-series Navy launchers; LAU-3 also supported all-at-once fire
- Suspension
- 2.75-inch LAU rocket launchers use 14-inch suspension lugs in Navy Hydra documentation
- LAU-32 dimensions
- MOD.4: about 1,839 mm long and 38 kg empty; MOD.5: about 2,003 mm long and 37 kg empty
- LAU-61 G/A dimensions
- 76.54 in (194.4 cm) long, 16.27 in (41.32 cm) diameter, 205 lb (92.99 kg) empty
- LAU-68 F/A dimensions
- 71.1 in (180.6 cm) long, 10.125 in (25.7 cm) diameter, 92 lb (41.73 kg) empty
- Platform fit
- Fixed-wing aircraft; selected 2.75-inch / 70 mm launchers are also documented for rotary-wing aircraft
Variants
The LAU designation set is a launcher taxonomy rather than one single pod model. Rows below separate the major 2.75-inch / 70 mm and 5-inch / 127 mm aircraft rocket-pod branches; linked rows point to existing narrower catalog records.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
 | LAU-10/A-series four-tube 5-inch Zuni launcher family | Designation-Systems describes Zuni as primarily deployed in four-tube LAU-10/A-series pods, while Navy training material lists LAU-10B/A, LAU-10C/A, and LAU-10D/A as reusable four-tube 5.0-inch launchers. Sources: Air-Launched 5-Inch Rockets | Designation-Systems.Net, Aircraft Rockets and Rocket Launchers | GlobalSecurity PDF |
| LAU-3/A | Reusable nineteen-shot 2.75-inch FFAR launcher | The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force identifies LAU-3 as a reusable nineteen-shot launcher able to fire 2.75-inch rockets singly, in rapid sequence, or all at once. Sources: LAU-3 Rocket Launcher | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force |
 | Seven-tube 70 mm fixed-wing launcher | Thales Belgium describes LAU32 as an aluminum seven-tube reusable launcher for fixed-wing aircraft, with MOD.4 and MOD.5 detent variants. |
| LAU-61C/A | Navy nineteen-round 2.75-inch launcher | FAS and Navy training material identify LAU-61C/A as a reusable 19-round / 19-tube 2.75-inch launcher with single or ripple firing. Sources: LAU-61C/A Rocket Launcher | FAS, Aircraft Rockets and Rocket Launchers | GlobalSecurity PDF |
| LAU-61 G/A | Nineteen-round digital 2.75-inch / 70 mm launcher | Arnold Defense describes LAU-61 G/A as a digital 19-round launcher with tube selection, thermal coating, and fixed-wing or rotary aircraft fit. Sources: LAU-61 G/A Digital Rocket Launcher - Arnold Defense |
| LAU-68 F/A | Seven-round extended-length 2.75-inch / 70 mm launcher | Arnold Defense describes LAU-68 F/A as a seven-round extended-length launcher with thermal coating, APKWS II compatibility, and fixed-wing or rotary aircraft fit. Sources: LAU-68 F/A Extended Length Launcher - Arnold Defense |
| LAU-5002 / LAU-5003 | CRV7 fixed-wing launcher designations | Magellan Aerospace lists LAU-5002 as a six-tube reusable launcher and LAU-5003 as a nineteen-tube disposable launcher in its CRV7 fixed-wing system material. Sources: CRV7 Rocket Weapon System Fixed Wing | Magellan Aerospace |
Carrier Aircraft
Representative carrier-aircraft links are limited to cataloged aircraft with source-backed LAU-series or LAU-10 / LAU-68 store references.
| Carrier | Carrier type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Carrier-based attack aircraft | The Skyhawk ordnance page lists LAU-series rocket pods and Zuni pods among the A-4's dumb weapons. |
 | Carrier-based attack aircraft | The Valiant Air Command A-6E page lists LAU-10 Zuni rocket pods and LAU-68 / LAU-61 FFAR launcher options among the Intruder's rocket armament. |
Rockets Fired
LAU-series rocket pods span the 2.75-inch / 70 mm launcher line and the 5-inch / 127 mm LAU-10 Zuni launcher family.
| Ammunition | Ammunition type | Firing evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Unguided aerial rocket family | Designation-Systems lists LAU-32/A, LAU-61/A, LAU-68/A and related pods as multi-tube launch pods for 2.75-inch Mk 4 / Mk 40 rockets, with the LAU-series generally used by Air Force and Navy fixed-wing aircraft. Sources: Air-Launched 2.75-Inch Rockets | Designation-Systems.Net |
| 70 mm rocket system | Designation-Systems identifies the Hydra 70 / Mk 66 rocket family as the current 2.75-inch system and lists LAU-61G/A and LAU-68D/A among its compatible launchers. Sources: Air-Launched 2.75-Inch Rockets | Designation-Systems.Net |
 | Guided 70 mm rocket family | Arnold Defense states that the LAU-68 F/A's extended length allows successful APKWS II firing while carrying seven 2.75-inch / 70 mm rockets. Sources: LAU-68 F/A Extended Length Launcher - Arnold Defense |
 | Zuni rocket family | Designation-Systems describes the 5-inch Zuni as primarily deployed from four-tube LAU-10/A-series pods, with later Mk 71 Zuni rockets fired from LAU-10C/A and LAU-10D/A pods. Sources: Air-Launched 5-Inch Rockets | Designation-Systems.Net |
Representative Launcher Families
LAU rocket-pod designations are best read by caliber, tube count, and aircraft interface rather than as one continuous model sequence. The same family page therefore covers older FFAR pods, Navy Hydra/Zuni launchers, and CRV7 launcher designations only where the sources identify the pod configuration.
| Designation | Caliber | Capacity | Source-backed distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAU-10/A series | 5 in / 127 mm | 4 tubes | Reusable Zuni launcher branch; later Navy material lists LAU-10B/A, LAU-10C/A, and LAU-10D/A as four-tube 5.0-inch launchers. |
| LAU-3/A | 2.75 in / 70 mm | 19 rockets | Reusable FFAR launcher with individual, sequence, or all-at-once firing modes. |
| LAU-32 | 70 mm | 7 tubes | Thales fixed-wing aluminum launcher with MOD.4 and MOD.5 detent variants. |
| LAU-61C/A / LAU-61 G/A | 2.75 in / 70 mm | 19 rockets | LAU-61C/A is the Navy 19-round reusable launcher; Arnold's LAU-61 G/A is a digital 19-round launcher with selectable tube firing. |
| LAU-68D/A / LAU-68 F/A | 2.75 in / 70 mm | 7 rockets | Navy training material lists the seven-tube LAU-68D/A; Arnold's LAU-68 F/A is an extended-length, thermally coated seven-round launcher. |
| LAU-5002 / LAU-5003 | 70 mm CRV7 | 6 / 19 tubes | Magellan lists the LAU-5002 as reusable and the LAU-5003 as disposable for fixed-wing CRV7 carriage. |
Timeline
LAU-series rocket pod Key Events
2.75-inch air-launched rockets originate at China Lake
Designation-Systems traces U.S. 2.75-inch / 70 mm air-launched rocket development to late-1940s NOTS China Lake work, establishing the rocket caliber later carried in LAU-series pods.
Sources: Air-Launched 2.75-Inch Rockets | Designation-Systems.Net
Zuni enters production with LAU-10/A pod use
Designation-Systems says the 5-inch Zuni FFAR was approved for production in 1957 and was primarily deployed in four-tube LAU-10/A-series pods.
Sources: Air-Launched 5-Inch Rockets | Designation-Systems.Net
LAU-3 appears in Wild Weasel service
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force describes early Wild Weasel F-100Fs and accompanying F-105Ds carrying reusable nineteen-shot LAU-3 launchers for attacks on SAM sites.
Sources: LAU-3 Rocket Launcher | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Navy 2.75-inch launcher production context
FAS describes full production beginning in June 1985 for Navy 2.75-inch Hydra launchers including 19-round LAU-61C/A and seven-round LAU-68D/A family members.
Sources: LAU-61C/A Rocket Launcher | FAS
Related Weapon Systems
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: 2026-06-27A-6E Intruder | Valiant Air Command, Inc.Publisher: Valiant Air Command, Inc. Warbird Museum | Note: Supports A-6E Intruder carriage of LAU-10 Zuni rocket pods and LAU-68 / LAU-61 FFAR launcher options. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Air-Launched 2.75-Inch Rockets | Designation-Systems.NetPublisher: Designation-Systems.Net | Note: Supports the late-1940s NOTS China Lake origin context for 2.75-inch / 70 mm air-launched rockets and their relationship to LAU-series launch pods including LAU-32, LAU-61, LAU-68, and later LAU-61G/A and LAU-68D/A variants. | Accessed: 2026-07-04LAU-68 F/A Extended Length Launcher - Arnold DefensePublisher: Arnold Defense | Note: Supports the 7-round 2.75-inch / 70 mm LAU-68 F/A extended-length launcher, thermal coating, APKWS II compatibility, fixed-wing and rotary-wing fit, dimensions, empty weight, and manufacturer context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04LAU-61 G/A Digital Rocket Launcher - Arnold DefensePublisher: Arnold Defense | Note: Supports the 19-round 2.75-inch / 70 mm LAU-61 G/A digital launcher, selectable tube firing, thermal coating, fixed-wing and rotary-wing fit, dimensions, empty weight, and manufacturer context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04LAU32 7-tube metallic rocket launcherPublisher: Thales Belgium | Note: Supports the Belgian LAU32 fixed-wing 70 mm launcher family, aluminum seven-tube layout, MOD.4/MOD.5 detent split, intervalometer, dimensions, empty mass, and manufacturer context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Air-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, the four-tube pod description, and the 1957 Zuni production context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04LAU-3 Rocket Launcher | National Museum of the U.S. Air ForcePublisher: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports LAU-3 as a reusable nineteen-shot 2.75-inch rocket launcher, firing modes, warhead examples, and early Wild Weasel F-100F/F-105D carriage context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04LAU-61C/A Rocket Launcher | FASPublisher: Federation of American Scientists | Note: Supports LAU-61C/A as a 19-round thermally coated 2.75-inch launcher, single/ripple firing, 14-inch suspension, 28-volt armament circuit, aluminum-tube construction, LAU-68D/A context, and June 1985 production context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Aircraft Rockets and Rocket Launchers | GlobalSecurity PDFPublisher: GlobalSecurity.org | Note: Supports Navy training material on 2.75-inch seven- and nineteen-round launcher packages, reusable 2.75-inch LAU-61C/A and LAU-68D/A launchers, reusable four-tube LAU-10B/A/C/A/D/A 5.0-inch launchers, and launcher center-section construction. | Accessed: 2026-07-04CRV7 Rocket Weapon System Fixed Wing | Magellan AerospacePublisher: Magellan Aerospace | Note: Supports CRV7 fixed-wing launcher designations including LAU-5002 as a six-tube reusable launcher and LAU-5003 as a nineteen-tube disposable launcher. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Seven-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: 2026-07-04Grumman 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: 2026-07-04A-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: 2026-07-04