The RBU-6000 Smerch-2 is a Soviet-origin anti-submarine rocket-depth-charge system built around a remotely aimed 12-tube launcher, Burya fire-control input, RGB-60 rockets, and a below-deck 60UP feed arrangement. It was fitted to many Soviet-designed surface combatants for close-range undersea defense, and Russian forces later adapted launchers onto improvised ground vehicles during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War.
Russian forces fielded improvised ground RBU-6000 launchers on MT-LB, Ural, and tank-derived chassis in Ukraine; visual loss records and specialist reporting document destroyed systems and reported use as short-range rocket fire-support platforms.
Role detailsThe RBU-6000 is best understood as a launcher system rather than a single tube mount. The ship installation combined the 12-tube launcher with a below-deck feed path, sonar-informed fire-control equipment, and rocket depth-charge ammunition.
A remote 12-tube mount firing single rounds or salvos, with selectable ripple sizes and powered train/elevation.
Supported by Weaponsystems.net and the Splav archive.
The 60UP device stores rockets below deck, moves them to a hoist, lifts them, and loads the launcher.
The improvised ground vehicles documented in Ukraine lacked this shipboard installation.
Unguided 212 mm rocket depth-charge ammunition for the baseline Smerch-2 launcher.
Weaponsystems.net lists a 0.3-5.8 km range and 23.5 kg explosive filling.
The RPK-8 modernization reuses RBU-6000 launchers with the 90R guided anti-submarine rocket and later 90R1 munition path.
TASS and Missilery.info tie this modernization to the RPK-8 complex.
The RBU-6000 family centers on the 12-tube Smerch-2 launcher and its ammunition path; later RPK-8 configurations reuse the launcher with guided 90R-series anti-submarine rockets.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| RPK-8 | Guided-rocket upgrade path | The same source identifies RPK-8 as a later configuration associated with 90R guided anti-submarine rockets launched from the RBU-6000 system. |
Open ship references list the RBU-6000 in the armament fit of several Soviet-designed anti-submarine surface-combatant classes. These links document platform carriage; conflict-use rows still require direct evidence for the launcher itself.
| Carrier | Carrier type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Anti-submarine corvette family | GlobalSecurity lists Project 1124 / Grisha variants with RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers as part of their armament. Sources: Project 1124 Albatros Grisha class - GlobalSecurity.org |
 | Anti-submarine corvette | RussianShips.info lists Project 1331M small anti-submarine ships with two RBU-6000 Smerch launchers as part of their ASW armament. Sources: Small Anti-Submarine Ships - Project 1331M - RussianShips.info |
 | Anti-submarine frigate family | GlobalSecurity lists Project 1135 / Krivak armament with RBU-6000 launchers, matching the class's Soviet ASW-frigate role. |
 | Anti-submarine destroyer | Naval Technology lists the Udaloy-class ASW destroyer armament with two RBU-6000 launchers alongside missiles, torpedoes, guns, and helicopters. Sources: Udaloy Class Anti-Submarine Destroyers - Naval Technology |
Weaponsystems.net lists 1961 as the RBU-6000's entry-into-service year after late-1950s development.
Sources: RBU-6000 Smerch-2 - Weaponsystems.net
RussianShips.info lists Project 1331M ships with two RBU-6000 Smerch launchers, tying the launcher to the Soviet Parchim II batch.
Sources: Small Anti-Submarine Ships - Project 1331M - RussianShips.info
Missilery.info describes RPK-8 as a deep modernization of Smerch-2 that retained the RBU-6000 launcher while adding the 90R guided anti-submarine rocket.
Sources: Antisubmarine missile complex RPK-8 - Missilery.info
TASS reported that Splav had launched serial production of upgraded munitions for the RPK-8 complex, including the 90R1 rocket.
Sources: TASS upgraded rockets for RPK-8 serial production
