OVERVIEW: The S‑5K is a 57 mm unguided air-to-surface rocket equipped with a shaped-charge warhead for anti-armor missions. It was retired around 2014, replaced by the larger and more effective S‑8 series.

DETAILS: Part of the Soviet S‑5 rocket family (known as ARS‑57 in development), the S‑5K variant features a hollow-charge warhead capable of penetrating approximately 150 mm of rolled homogeneous armor. The rocket measures about 0.83 m in length, weighs roughly 3.65 kg, and has a maximum range of approximately 3.7 km. It uses a solid-propellant motor and is stabilized in flight by curved folding fins that impart spin. Standard launch platforms include UB‑16‑57 (16-round) and UB‑32 (32-round) pods, compatible with Soviet and Russian fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.

The S‑5K became obsolete due to limited warhead size and accuracy, prompting its phase-out in favor of the longer-range, higher-payload S‑8 series. It retained full compatibility with existing 57 mm rocket pods, ensuring ease of integration before retirement.

The rocket is pod-launched from aircraft such as MiG and Su-series jets or Mi-series helicopters. After launch, the fins deploy, stabilizing the rocket toward the target. Due to its HEAT warhead, its deployment favored massed salvoes to increase penetration probability.

NOTE:
IOC: 1955 (family); S‑5K OOS ~2014
Operators: Soviet Union/Russia, Bulgaria, Belarus
Platforms: MiG‑21, MiG‑23, MiG‑27, Su‑7, Su‑17/20/22, Su‑25, Mi‑8, Mi‑24, Mi‑35 (typically in UB‑16/UB‑32 pods)
Conflict used in: Soviet–Afghan War; First/Second Chechen Wars; Libyan Civil War; used in improvised ground launches

SOURCE: Federation of American Scientists: https://fas.org ; Wikipedia “S‑5 rocket”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-5_rocket ; cmano-db “S‑5K 57mm Rocket”: https://cmano-db.com/weapon/1927 ; MiG Alley Military Aviation News: https://toad-design.com/migalley/index.php/armament/