Support Equipment

M261 lightweight launcher

Also known as

M261
M-261
M261 rocket launcher
19-shot Hydra-70 rocket pod
19-round Hydra-70 rocket pod

The M261 lightweight launcher is Arnold Defense's 19-round 70 mm rotary-wing rocket launcher for Hydra-70 rockets. Arnold Defense says it is predominantly used by the U.S. Army Apache Program, requires an onboard firing system, and has a 66.2-inch length with an 87-pound empty weight.

M261 lightweight launcher, 19-round 70 mm rocket launcher, Support Equipment

Image source: M261 Lightweight Launcher | Arnold Defense

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Arnold Defense
Type: 19-round 70 mm rocket launcher

launcher rocket pod air-launched helicopter-launched

Specifications

Capacity: 19 rockets (2.75 in / 70 mm)
Length: 66.2 in (168.15 cm)
Diameter: 15.875 in (40.32 cm)
Weight empty: 87 lb (39.46 kg)
NSN: 1055-01-071-0064

Carrier Aircraft

Rotary-wing Black Hawk-family aircraft are documented carrying the M261 launcher.

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

Black Hawk helicopter, Medium-lift military utility helicopter family, Aircraft & UAVs

Black Hawk helicopter

Armed utility helicopter

Lockheed Martin says armed Black Hawk external wings can carry a 19-shot Hydra-70 rocket pod.

Sources: Adaptable Weapons Kit for International BLACK HAWK Helicopter | Lockheed Martin

AH-60L Arpia, Armed utility / attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs

Attack helicopter

The AH-60 IV fact sheet lists two M-261 rocket launchers among the helicopter's armament.

Sources: AH-60 fact sheet

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Predominantly used by the U.S. Army Apache Program; requires an on-board firing system.
Used by: U.S. Army Apache Program

Media

M261 lightweight launcher Images

M261 lightweight launcher, 19-round 70 mm rocket launcher, Support Equipment - view 1 — Source: M261 Lightweight Launcher | Arnold Defense

Related Weapon Systems

UB-16UM rocket pod, Rocket launcher pod for S-5 rockets, Support Equipment

Support EquipmentUB-16UM rocket podRocket launcher pod for S-5 rocketsThe UB-16UM rocket pod is a reusable Soviet 57 mm aircraft launcher for 16 S-5-series rockets. DCS documents the L-39ZA carrying UB-16UM pods loaded with 16 S-5KO HEAT/fragmentation rockets apiece, which places the pod in the legacy light-attack store set.

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.

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 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.

DAGR air-to-ground missile, 70 mm air-to-ground missile, Munitions

MunitionsDAGR air-to-ground missile70 mm air-to-ground missileLockheed Martin's DAGR (Direct Attack Guided Rocket) is a U.S. semi-active laser-guided 70 mm air-to-ground missile. The company unveiled it in 2007 as a guidance kit for 2.75-inch/70 mm rockets, and later demonstrations showed launch from Apache helicopters, a JLTV-mounted pedestal launcher, and other HELLFIRE-equipped rotary-wing platforms.

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

M261 Lightweight Launcher | Arnold DefensePublisher: Arnold Defense | Note: Supports the M261 designation, 19-shot capacity, dimensions, empty weight, Apache-program use, product background, and product imagery. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Adaptable Weapons Kit for International BLACK HAWK Helicopter | Lockheed MartinPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports Black Hawk external wings carrying a 19-shot Hydra-70 rocket pod. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 AH-60 fact sheetPublisher: Fuerza Aeroespacial Colombiana | Note: Supports the AH-60 IV armament listing that includes two M-261 rocket launchers. | Accessed: 2026-06-27