OVERVIEW: The BR-20-57 is an unguided, short-range, high-explosive 57mm air-to-ground rocket developed for light strike aircraft. It is designed for use with rocket pods on platforms like the G-4 Super Galeb for anti-personnel and soft-target attack missions.

DETAILS: The BR-20-57 is a Yugoslav-developed 57mm fin-stabilized unguided rocket designed for aerial launch from light attack and trainer aircraft. "BR" stands for Borbena Raketa (Combat Rocket), "20" is the warhead type identifier, and "57" denotes the caliber. It is optimized for use from rocket pods such as the L-57/8 or similar, allowing rapid salvos from fixed-wing aircraft. The rocket carries a high-explosive fragmentation warhead weighing approximately 2 kg, intended to cause blast and shrapnel damage over a localized area. Effective range is typically between 2 km and 3.5 km, depending on altitude and launch profile.

The rocket’s design emphasizes low cost and high volume of fire, making it suitable for use in close air support and area saturation roles. It features a point-detonating impact fuze and burns solid propellant, with no in-flight guidance or correction. Its lightweight construction allows high-capacity loadouts per aircraft sortie.

The BR-20-57 is launched from underwing pods mounted on aircraft like the G-4 Super Galeb. Pods are typically loaded with 8 or more rockets, and the pilot can fire in ripple or full-salvo mode. These rockets are best used in low-altitude, low-speed attack profiles against infantry, vehicles, or unarmored structures.

NOTE:
IOC: Late 1970s
Operators: Yugoslavia (historical), Serbia
Platforms: G-4 Super Galeb, G-2 Galeb
Conflict used in: Yugoslav Wars (1991–1999)

SOURCE:
Jane’s Weapons: Air-Launched ; Yugoimport-SDPR: https://www.yugoimport.com ; Military Technical Institute Belgrade (VTI): https://www.vti.mod.gov.rs ; Federation of American Scientists (FAS): https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/row/g-4.htm ; Department of Defense: https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Publications